At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the transformation of security practices in a dynamic sports tech environment.
- Company: Join Genius Sports, a leader in immersive sports experiences.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, wellness support, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Embrace a collaborative culture with hybrid working options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on security in an innovative, fast-paced industry.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in cybersecurity with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
By bringing together next-gen technology and the finest live data available, Genius Sports is enabling a new era of sports for fans worldwide, delivering experiences that are more immersive, interactive and personalized than ever before.
Learn more at geniussports. com.
Role Overview
This is a transformational role.
The Director is expected to lead the organization from fragmented, task-based security handling into a mature, agile program — modernizing how security is embedded across engineering, redefining operational efficiency, and setting how the cybersecurity function operates and perceived across the business.
This role leads the combined Product Security and Security Operations function at Genius Sports.
It is a program leadership role responsible for embedding security into how products are designed, built, and shipped — and for owning the full threat detection and incident response pipeline end-to-end.
The Director sets direction for a global team spanning secure development lifecycle, security architecture, threat modeling, vulnerability and exposure management, offensive security, cloud security, security monitoring, and incident management.
The role translates cyber risk into business risk and drives the conversation leadership can act on.
Strong experience across both Product Security and Sec Ops is required.
This is a leader-coach role in a lean, high-ownership team operating in a regulated sports data and betting environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Program Leadership
- Lead the transformation. Act as the agent of change from fragmented security tasks to a mature program, reshape team structure, ways of working, and organization growth.
- Own the Prod Sec Ops program — vision, goals, and delivery across both product security and security operations functions.
- Define and lead the product security framework — mapping assets, ownership, and cyber risk to business value.
- Build and maintain a cyber risk management view that is aggregate, contextual, and actionable for leadership.
- Lead, develop, and grow a distributed team across multiple regions and time zones.
- Set team objectives aligned to functional and company-level OKRs. Own delivery against them.
- Product Security
- Drive shift-left security — embed threat modelling, secure design review, and SDL practices into the development lifecycle.
- Own the security architecture direction, including zero trust principles and secure design patterns.
- Own vulnerability and exposure management across application, cloud, and infrastructure layers — risk-based prioritization, engineering ownership models, and remediation SLAs.
- Oversee application security testing — SAST, DAST, SCA — and the offensive security program including pen testing and red team engagements.
- Own cloud security posture across the estate — CSPM, container and Kubernetes security, Ia C review.
- Security Operations
- Own threat detection and telemetry fidelity end-to-end — high-fidelity signals into SIEM, log source coverage across endpoint, Saa S, cloud, and network.
- Own incident management — ensure the incident response plan is defined, tested, and executable, with clear escalation paths and playbooks.
- Drive detection engineering — use case development, correlation rules, alert tuning, and measurable noise reduction.
- Manage the MSSP relationship — enforce SLAs, drive false-positive reduction, and define L1 alert handling procedures.
- Deliver the 24/7 coverage model — on-call structure, follow-the-sun planning, SOAR automation of Tier 1 triage.
- Tooling & Consolidation
- Consolidate the security stack — one signal, one view, less noise. Drive down cost and eliminate coverage gaps.
- Own the security tooling lifecycle — evaluation, vendor management, implementation, and adoption to production maturity across both functions.
- Leadership & Collaboration
- Communicate at the executive level — concise, compelling, business-risk framing. Influence decision-making at senior level.
- Lead collaborative initiatives across the organization. Navigate complex stakeholder relationships to drive decisions and outcomes.
- Champion security culture across engineering and the wider business. Inspire others to care about security.
- Coach and mentor the team. Drive a culture of learning, quality, and accountability.
- Anticipate emerging risks, including AI-related risk, and shape security strategy accordingly.
- Required Experience & Qualifications
- 10+ years in cybersecurity with significant depth in both product/application security and security operations.
- Proven leadership of security engineering or SOC teams — including distributed, multi-region teams.
- Expert-level knowledge of secure SDL frameworks (OWASP SAMM, NIST SSDF), threat modelling, and security architecture.
- Deep experience with detection engineering, SIEM/XDR platforms, incident response, and MSSP management.
- Strong cloud security expertise — AWS required; container and Kubernetes security experience.
- Track record of translating technical risk into business impact for executive audiences.
- Experience building or maturing vulnerability management programs with engineering ownership models.
- Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in tech and regulated environments — betting, gaming, or sports data.
- Experience integrating acquired companies into an existing security program.
- Security certifications — CISSP, OSCP, GIAC, or equivalent.
- Experience with SOAR implementation and security automation at scale.
- Experience operating follow-the-sun or 24/7 security coverage models.
We enjoy an ‘office-first’ culture and maximize opportunities to collaborate, connect and learn together.
Our hybrid working models differ depending on your role and location.
Occasional travel may be required.
As well as a competitive salary and range of benefits, we’re committed to supporting employee wellbeing and helping you grow your skills, experience and career.
Learn more about how rewarding life at Genius can be at Reward | Genius Sports.
One team, being brave, driving change.
We strive to create an inclusive working environment, where everyone feels a sense of belonging and the ability to make a difference.
Learn more about our values and culture at Culture | Genius Sports.
Let us know when you apply if you need any assistance during the recruiting process due to a disability.
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Director, ProdSecOps employer: Genius Sports
Genius Sports is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, perfect for those looking to make a significant impact in the B2B marketing landscape. With a hybrid working model, competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. The company prioritises employee growth opportunities, ensuring that team members can develop their skills and advance their careers in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, ProdSecOps
✨Get Involved in the Cybersecurity Community
Diving into the cybersecurity community is key for landing that full-time gig. Join forums like Reddit's r/cybersecurity or attend local meetups to connect with industry veterans and other job seekers. Networking is everything in this field—don’t just be a passive lurker!
✨Show Off Your Skills with Capture the Flag Competitions
Participate in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions; these are not just a fun way to boost your skills but also a chance to showcase your talent to potential employers. Many companies, including Genius Sports, love seeing candidates who actively engage in these challenges.
✨Tailor Your Online Presence
Make sure your LinkedIn and any professional profiles reflect your cybersecurity expertise. Share your projects, whether they’re personal or from a previous role, to catch the eye of hiring managers. This is how they’ll find your passion and commitment to the field!
✨Apply Directly Through Genius Sports
Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at Genius Sports. Applying directly can sometimes give you an edge, especially if you can mention that you've been following our work or engaging in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, ProdSecOps
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your technical skills:In cybersecurity, it's crucial to highlight your technical prowess. Make sure your CV showcases specific skills like network security, penetration testing, or threat analysis. If you have relevant certifications (like CEH or CISSP), pop those on the front page to grab attention!
Tailor your portfolio for the role:Even for a full-time role, a portfolio can set you apart. If you've worked on any cybersecurity projects—be it CTF challenges, security assessments, or research papers—include these in your application. This demonstrates not just your skills, but also your hands-on experience!
Use real-world examples:When writing your cover letter, don’t just stick to your qualifications. Share real-world examples of how you’ve tackled security issues or vulnerabilities. This gives the hiring team at Genius Sports insight into your practical problem-solving abilities and makes your application memorable.
Demonstrate your passion for cybersecurity:Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, so show us that you’re always learning! Mention any recent courses, webinars, or industry events you’ve attended. This not only exhibits your enthusiasm but also signals to Genius Sports that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.
How to prepare for a job interview at Genius Sports
✨Sharpen Your Technical Skills
For a role in cybersecurity, it’s essential to be up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques. Brush up on your knowledge of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and vulnerability assessment tools. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you’ve applied these skills, as hands-on experience can really set us apart in interviews.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect the interviewers at Genius Sports to throw in some hypothetical situations to see how you’d handle them. Think about common security breaches or incidents and be prepared to explain how you would respond. This not only shows your problem-solving skills but also your understanding of real-world cybersecurity challenges.
✨Highlight Your Certifications
Certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CEH can give you a significant edge in a full-time role in cybersecurity. Make sure to mention these during your interview and be prepared to discuss what you learned through those certifications and how they relate to the position at Genius Sports.
✨Show Your Passion for Cybersecurity
Since you’re going for a full-time gig, showing genuine enthusiasm for the field can make all the difference. Share any personal projects, blogs, or communities you’re part of that relate to cybersecurity. This not only showcases your passion but also your commitment to staying engaged in this ever-evolving field.