At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the security strategy and oversee IT security initiatives across the organisation.
- Company: Join DeepL, a global leader in Language AI transforming communication worldwide.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive benefits, a welcoming culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by enhancing security for innovative language technology.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in security leadership and a strong understanding of compliance frameworks.
- Other info: Diverse workplace where your unique perspectives are valued and celebrated.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 Β£ per year.
Overview
DeepL is a global communications platform powered by Language AI. Since 2017, weβve been on a mission to break down language barriers. Our human-sounding translations and intelligent writing suggestions are designed with enterprise security in mind. Today, they enable over 100,000 businesses to transform communications, reach new markets, and improve productivity.
What Sets Us Apart
What sets us apart is our blend of modern technology, competitive benefits, and an open, welcoming work culture that enables our people to thrive. When we share what itβs like to work at DeepL, the reactions are overwhelmingly positive. This may be because of our products that have helped countless people worldwide or our shared mission to improve communication for individuals and businesses, bringing cultures closer together. Being part of DeepL means joining a team dedicated to innovation and employee well-being.
Your Responsibilities
- Strategic Ownership & Leadership: Own the overall Information and IT Security strategy, leading teams responsible for infrastructure security, application security, organisational security, and information governance. Develop, implement, and maintain robust security frameworks that ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems and data across the organization. Act as the central authority for all security-related initiatives, ensuring alignment with business goals and compliance requirements while being mindful regarding company efficiency.
- Governance, Risk & Compliance: Own compliance programs (e.g., SOC 2, ISO 27001, BSI C5). Shape our approach to risk assessment, third-party risk management, and internal security audits. Support customer security reviews, RFPs, and due-diligence engagements.
- Operational Security & Technology Oversight: Oversee the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of security architecture across IT infrastructure, cloud environments, user devices and SaaS systems. Ensure secure operations through proactive threat monitoring, vulnerability management, hardening, and incident response training. Collaborate with engineering teams to integrate security-by-design principles into infrastructure and product development lifecycle.
- Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: Partner with Infrastructure, Product teams, People department, Legal, Sales, and other Business leaders to ensure that security and data protection are embedded into all company processes. Foster a strong security culture through awareness training, communication, and transparent reporting of security metrics and incidents. Represent the company in security discussions with customers, partners, auditors, and regulators and support sales and customer success teams in high-stakes enterprise deals requiring executive security leadership. Contribute to board-level reporting on security posture, risk, and investment.
About You
- Proven experience in Security Engineering or Information Security and in leadership roles, ideally as Head of Security, CISO, or equivalent.
- 5+ years in information security.
- Experience in senior leadership roles.
- Experience with IPO readiness, including SOX compliance, and board-level reporting.
- Background in SaaS, AI, or technology sectors.
- Experience building security teams from the ground up and scaling them alongside business growth.
- Strong understanding of technical security domains (network, cloud, endpoint, identity management, incident response) and information security governance.
- Solid knowledge of international and EU compliance frameworks such as ISO 27001, GDPR and SOC2 / BSI C5.
- Strategic mindset combined with a hands-on approach to execution.
- Fluent in English, with professional proficiency in German preferred.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to bridge technical and business perspectives.
- Strong organisational and leadership skills with a focus on driving measurable outcomes and continuous improvement.
Nice to have
- Experience with AWS Cloud and OnPremise Data Centres.
- First touch with AI / LLM / Agentic security.
- Experience with security tooling and automation platforms (SIEM, SOAR, IAM, etc.).
- Background in rapid growth environments.
We are an equal opportunity employer. You are welcome at DeepL for who you are β we appreciate authenticity here. Our product is for everyone, and so is our workplace. The more voices we have represented and amplified in our business, the more we will all succeed, contribute, and think forward. So bring us your personal experience, your perspectives, and your background. Itβs in our diversity that we will find the power to break down language barriers in the world.
Head of Security employer: Paul Ekman Group
Contact Detail:
Paul Ekman Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Head of Security
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
β¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching DeepL's culture and values. Show us how your experience aligns with our mission to break down language barriers and improve communication. Tailor your answers to reflect our goals!
β¨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently when itβs time to shine in front of us.
β¨Tip Number 4
Donβt forget to apply through our website! Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Security
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Security role. Highlight your relevant experience in security engineering and leadership, and donβt forget to mention any specific frameworks or compliance programs youβve worked with.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on quantifiable achievements. Did you lead a team that improved security metrics? Or perhaps you implemented a new compliance program? We want to see how youβve made a difference!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless itβs relevant to the role. We appreciate clarity, especially when it comes to complex topics like security.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us youβre serious about joining our team at DeepL!
How to prepare for a job interview at Paul Ekman Group
β¨Know Your Security Frameworks
Make sure youβre well-versed in the security frameworks mentioned in the job description, like SOC 2 and ISO 27001. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented these in past roles and how they can be applied at DeepL.
β¨Showcase Leadership Experience
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership skills, especially in building and scaling security teams. Discuss specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them to align with business goals.
β¨Understand the Business Side
DeepL values a strategic mindset, so be prepared to talk about how security initiatives can drive business success. Think about how you can bridge the gap between technical security and business objectives.
β¨Communicate Clearly
Since the role involves collaboration with various departments, practice explaining complex security concepts in simple terms. This will show your ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.