Security Operations Center (SOC) Manager

Placements24; Mossel Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical benefits

Performance bonuses

Hybrid work model

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is assisting a major energy-sector client in Mossel Bay, Western Cape, SA, seeking an experienced Security Operations Center (SOC) Manager. This leadership role oversees 24/7 monitoring, incident response, and continuous improvement of SOC processes to protect critical infrastructure.

The ideal candidate will lead a team of security analysts, manage SIEM/EDR/SOAR tooling, and develop metrics and training programs to strengthen the organization’s security posture against active

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field.
• 6–8 years in cybersecurity ops; 2–3 years in supervision.
• Proven leadership of security ops teams.
• Deep knowledge of SIEM, IR, threat detection.
• Strong network, endpoint, and cloud security understanding.
• Experience with SOAR platforms.
• Certs such as CISSP/CISM desirable.
• Familiar with NIST CSF/ISO 27001.
• Ability to work under pressure during incidents.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of SOC analysts.
• Oversee 24/7 monitoring of security alerts and events.
• Develop and refine incident response procedures.
• Manage the SOC’s technology stack (SIEM, SOAR, EDR).
• Establish and track KPIs and SLAs for SOC ops.
• Conduct regular threat hunting exercises.
• Collaborate with IT/security teams to share intelligence.
• Develop and deliver security awareness training.
• Stay abreast of threats, vulnerabilities and tech.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and manage vendor relations.

Skills

Cybersecurity ops

Team leadership

Incident management

SIEM

Threat detection

Communication

Education

Bachelors in Cybersecurity

Bachelors in Computer Science

Tools

SIEM

SOAR

EDR

Threat intel

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major enterprise in the energy sector located in Mossel Bay, Western Cape , is seeking an experienced Security Operations Center (SOC) Manager. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the SOC, ensuring the effective monitoring, detection, and response to cyber threats. You will lead a team of security analysts, manage security tools and technologies, and continuously improve SOC processes and capabilities. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in cybersecurity operations, incident management, and team leadership within a complex operational environment. This position is critical for protecting the organization’s infrastructure and data in the strategic Western Cape region. You will be instrumental in developing and executing strategies to enhance the organization’s overall security posture against sophisticated threats.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of SOC analysts, ensuring high performance and continuous development.
• Oversee the 24/7 monitoring of security alerts and events from various sources (SIEM, IDS/IPS, EDR, etc.).
• Develop and refine incident response procedures, ensuring timely and effective handling of security incidents.
• Manage and maintain the SOC’s technology stack, including SIEM, SOAR, threat intelligence platforms, and other security tools.
• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) for SOC operations.
• Conduct regular threat hunting exercises to proactively identify and mitigate potential threats.
• Collaborate with other IT and security teams to integrate security intelligence and response capabilities.
• Develop and deliver security awareness training for SOC staff and relevant stakeholders.
• Stay abreast of emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and security technologies relevant to the energy sector.
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry regulations and standards.
• Manage vendor relationships for security tools and services.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6-8 years of experience in cybersecurity operations, with at least 2-3 years in a supervisory or management role within a SOC.
• Proven experience in managing and leading security operations teams.
• In-depth knowledge of SIEM technologies, incident response methodologies, and threat detection techniques.
• Strong understanding of network security, endpoint security, and cloud security concepts.
• Experience with security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) platforms.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and leadership abilities.
• Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, GIAC GCIH, or GCIA are highly desirable.
• Familiarity with security frameworks (e.g., NIST CSF, ISO 27001).
• Ability to work under pressure and manage critical incidents effectively.

Benefits

• competitive salary
• comprehensive medical and retirement benefits
• performance bonuses
• opportunities for professional growth and training
• This role provides a chance to lead critical security operations in a vital industry.
• The Mossel Bay location offers a scenic coastal setting.
• Our hybrid work model supports a healthy work-life balance, combining essential in-office collaboration with remote flexibility.

Join an established organization committed to protecting its operations through robust cybersecurity measures.