At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global cyber defence strategy and enhance incident response capabilities.
- Company: Major international digital gaming business with a focus on cyber maturity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 40% bonus, RSUs, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence strategy and drive alignment across global teams.
- Why this job: Shape the future of cyber defence in a complex, high-stakes environment.
- Qualifications: 10-15 years in cyber operations with director-level leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 145000 - 180000 € per year.
A global digital gaming business is looking for a Director of Cyber Defence to shape and lead its cyber defence strategy across a large, complex international environment. This is a newly created leadership role with responsibility for defining and driving a group wide cyber defence strategy, while improving security operations and incident response capability across a federated organisation.
The business operates across multiple international brands and high scale digital platforms, and is investing heavily in cyber maturity. They need someone who can combine deep technical cyber credibility with the strategic leadership to influence senior stakeholders across regions, functions and business units.
Role
Reporting to the Group CISO, this role will lead a distributed cyber defence team and help shape the future operating model for cyber operations across the wider business. You will be responsible for strengthening incident response, helping define the future SOC strategy and improving collaboration across central and local cyber teams. This role needs someone who has grown up in cyber operations, has managed complex incidents directly and can now operate at director level in a global business. A big part of the challenge is influence. This is a federated environment, so success will come from working across brand and regional teams, building credibility and driving alignment without relying on direct authority.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the global cyber defence strategy across a complex, multi-brand environment
- Shape and improve incident response capability and cyber operations maturity
- Define and help implement the future SOC strategy
- Lead a 15 person team across the UK, Ireland and Romania
- Partner with executive leadership on cyber priorities, investment and operational improvement
- Build strong relationships across regional and business aligned cyber teams
- Support a wider cyber maturity programme and strengthen collaboration across local and central functions
- Represent the function with regulators, auditors and third parties where needed
- Translate complex cyber risks and operational challenges into clear business language
- Drive consistency, visibility and alignment across cyber defence teams
Requirements
- Strong background in cyber defence, cyber operations, incident response or security leadership
- Around 10 to 15 years of hands on experience in cyber, ideally as an operator, defender or incident responder earlier in your career
- Director level leadership experience, with the ability to lead strategy as well as execution
- Deep understanding of complex incidents, security operations and cyber defence programmes
- Experience working in large, complex global organisations
- Experience operating in a federated model would be helpful, but not essential
- Ability to influence without authority across multiple teams, business units and senior stakeholders
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, including executive level engagement
- A pragmatic approach to risk, with the ability to balance security priorities with commercial reality
- Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM or CISA would be beneficial
Why this role is interesting
This is a rare opportunity to join a major international business in a newly created role with real scope to shape the direction of cyber defence. The environment is complex, global and highly visible, with significant scale and stakeholder exposure. You will be joining at a point where the business is investing in cyber maturity, evolving its operating model and looking for someone credible enough to lead that journey. It is a strong opportunity for someone who wants to move beyond purely operational leadership and have a broader strategic impact, while still drawing on deep technical expertise and frontline incident experience.
Director of Cyber Security employer: Burns Sheehan
As a leading global digital gaming business, we offer an exceptional work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our hybrid roles in London or Leeds provide flexibility while you lead a talented team in shaping our cyber defence strategy across multiple international brands. With a strong focus on employee growth, competitive compensation packages including bonuses and RSUs, and a commitment to enhancing cyber maturity, we empower our employees to make a meaningful impact in a dynamic and complex landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Cyber Security
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the cyber security field. Attend industry events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can’t.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your hands-on experience and strategic thinking. Share specific examples of how you've tackled complex incidents or improved security operations in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s cyber defence strategy. Understand their challenges and think about how you can contribute. Tailor your responses to show how your background aligns with their needs, especially in a federated environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals who can lead and innovate in cyber security. Your next big opportunity could be just a click away!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Cyber Security
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Director of Cyber Defence. Highlight your experience in cyber operations and incident response, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills. We want to see how you’ve influenced teams and driven strategy in complex environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've shaped cyber defence strategies and improved security operations. Remember, we love a good story that shows your impact!
Showcase Your Technical Credibility:We’re looking for someone with deep technical knowledge, so don’t hold back! Mention relevant certifications like CISSP or CISM, and detail your hands-on experience with complex incidents. This will help us see your journey from operator to leader.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Burns Sheehan
✨Know Your Cyber Defence Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends and challenges in cyber defence. Brush up on your knowledge of incident response strategies and SOC operations, as these will be key topics during your interview. Being able to discuss specific incidents you've managed will showcase your hands-on experience.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership, so prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to influence and lead teams without direct authority. Think about times when you’ve successfully collaborated across different functions or regions, and be ready to share those stories.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
You’ll need to translate complex cyber risks into business language, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Use straightforward examples to explain technical concepts, ensuring that even non-technical stakeholders can grasp the importance of your strategies.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
Since this role involves partnering with executive leadership, think about how you would approach discussions with senior stakeholders. Prepare questions that show your understanding of their priorities and how cyber security aligns with broader business goals. This will demonstrate your strategic mindset.
