Director of Information Security

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive bonuses

Medical aid

Life insurance

Retirement fund

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Director of Information Security to establish and lead a comprehensive security program in Nelspruit. You will define policies, oversee risk assessments and incident response, and drive security across IT and business units while managing vendor relationships.

The ideal candidate has a Master’s in CS/InfoSec, 10+ years in information security, and leadership experience. Financial services background is a strong plus; on-site work in Nelspruit is required.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in information security, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience in developing and managing comprehensive information security programs.
• In-depth knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001), risk management, and compliance.
• Experience with security technologies such as firewalls, IDS/IPS, SIEM, endpoint protection, and encryption.
• Strong understanding of incident response and forensic investigations.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Relevant security certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM) are highly desirable.
• Experience in the financial services sector is a significant advantage.
• Must be willing to work on-site in Nelspruit.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain a robust information security program.
• Define and enforce security policies, standards, and procedures across the organization.
• Oversee risk assessments, vulnerability management, and penetration testing initiatives.
• Lead and manage the incident response team, ensuring timely and effective resolution of security breaches.
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry regulations and data privacy laws.
• Develop and deliver security awareness training programs for all employees.
• Manage relationships with third-party security vendors and service providers.
• Stay abreast of emerging cybersecurity threats and technologies.
• Lead and mentor the information security team.
• Collaborate with IT and business units to integrate security into all aspects of operations.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Security strategy

Risk management

Communication

Education

Master's degree in CS/InfoSec or related field

Tools

Firewalls

IDS/IPS

SIEM

Endpoint protection

Encryption

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly growing financial services institution, is seeking a highly experienced and C-level ready Director of Information Security to establish and lead their security program in Nelspruit . This critical role will be responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive security strategies, policies, and procedures to protect the company's sensitive data and critical infrastructure. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigation techniques, along with extensive experience in risk management, compliance, and incident response. You will lead a team of security professionals, foster a security-aware culture, and ensure the organization adheres to relevant regulatory requirements. This is a pivotal opportunity to build and shape the information security function for a prominent financial services firm in the Mpumalanga region.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain a robust information security program.
• Define and enforce security policies, standards, and procedures across the organization.
• Oversee risk assessments, vulnerability management, and penetration testing initiatives.
• Lead and manage the incident response team, ensuring timely and effective resolution of security breaches.
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry regulations and data privacy laws.
• Develop and deliver security awareness training programs for all employees.
• Manage relationships with third-party security vendors and service providers.
• Stay abreast of emerging cybersecurity threats and technologies.
• Lead and mentor the information security team.
• Collaborate with IT and business units to integrate security into all aspects of operations.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in information security, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience in developing and managing comprehensive information security programs.
• In-depth knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001), risk management, and compliance.
• Experience with security technologies such as firewalls, IDS/IPS, SIEM, endpoint protection, and encryption.
• Strong understanding of incident response and forensic investigations.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Relevant security certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM) are highly desirable.
• Experience in the financial services sector is a significant advantage.
• Must be willing to work on-site in Nelspruit .

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary package, executive bonuses, and comprehensive benefits including medical aid, life insurance, and a generous retirement fund.

This role provides significant opportunities for professional growth and impact within a key financial institution.

The position is based in our modern offices in Nelspruit , offering a collaborative and secure working environment.