Lead Cybersecurity Architect (Remote)

Placements24; Soweto; Hybrid; ZAR 2,964,000 - 4,611,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive bonus

Health benefits

Stock options

Remote work stipend

Professional development budget

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Cybersecurity Architect to drive the organization's security strategy and architecture in a fully remote role. You will define the security roadmap, establish standards, and guide the implementation of resilient security controls across cloud and on‑prem environments.

As a strategic leader, you will mentor security and IT teams, manage third‑party relationships, and translate complex technical concepts into business terms for executive stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent in a related field.
• 10+ years information security, including 5+ years in security architecture.
• Experience designing large-scale security architectures.
• Deep knowledge of security frameworks (NIST CSF, ISO 27001, SOC 2).
• Cloud security architectures (AWS, Azure, GCP) and hybrid clouds.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Advanced certifications such as CISSP-ISSAP or SABSA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Define cybersecurity strategy and architectural standards.
• Design secure enterprise IT infrastructures and data protection.
• Review security architectures for new projects and implementations.
• Lead incident response planning for major security events.
• Collaborate with executives to align security strategy with business goals.
• Mentor security and IT teams; manage vendor relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Autonomy

Education

Master's degree

Tools

WAF

SIEM

EDR

IAM

Encryption

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for an experienced and visionary Lead Cybersecurity Architect to spearhead their security initiatives. This is a 100% remote position, allowing you to contribute your expertise from anywhere. You will be responsible for defining the overall cybersecurity strategy, designing secure architectures, and guiding the implementation of cutting-edge security solutions. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of enterprise-level security challenges and a passion for building resilient, secure systems. This role requires leadership, strategic planning, and a hands-on approach to architectural design in a fully remote setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the organization's cybersecurity roadmap and architectural standards.
• Design and oversee the implementation of secure enterprise-wide IT infrastructure, applications, and data.
• Evaluate emerging security threats and technologies, recommending appropriate architectural adjustments.
• Lead security architecture reviews for new projects and system implementations.
• Define security requirements for cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP), networks, and applications.
• Develop and enforce security policies, standards, and procedures across the organization.
• Collaborate with senior management and stakeholders to align security strategy with business objectives.
• Provide expert guidance and mentorship to security and IT teams.
• Manage relationships with third-party security vendors and service providers.
• Develop and execute comprehensive incident response plans for major security events.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of experience in information security, with at least 5 years in a cybersecurity architecture role.
• Proven experience designing and implementing complex, large-scale security architectures.
• Deep knowledge of security frameworks (e.g., NIST CSF, ISO 27001, SOC 2).
• Expertise in cloud security architectures (AWS, Azure, GCP) and hybrid cloud environments.
• Strong understanding of network security, data security, application security, and identity and access management (IAM).
• Experience with security technologies such as WAF, SIEM, EDR, IAM solutions, and encryption technologies.
• Excellent leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into business terms.
• Relevant advanced certifications (e.g., CISSP-ISSAP, SABSA) are highly preferred.
• Must be able to work autonomously and lead effectively in a fully remote, distributed team.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and executive bonus structure.
• Comprehensive executive health benefits package.
• Generous stock options or equity grants.
• Significant professional development budget for conferences and training.
• Flexible working hours and a fully remote work environment.
• Opportunity to shape the security future of a rapidly growing company.
• Leadership role with significant impact and visibility.
• Remote work stipend for home office setup.
• Access to state-of-the-art security tools and platforms.