Remote Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Our client, a rapidly growing organization committed to robust digital security, is seeking a visionary and highly experienced Remote Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to lead their cybersecurity initiatives. This is a pivotal executive role, operating entirely remotely, responsible for establishing and maintaining the enterprise vision, strategy, and programs that protect information assets and manage cyber risk. You will be the ultimate authority on information security, responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive security policies, standards, and procedures across the organization. This role requires a strategic leader with a deep understanding of current and emerging cyber threats, regulatory compliance, and best practices in information security management. You will work closely with senior leadership, IT, legal, and operational teams to ensure a proactive and resilient security posture. The ideal candidate will have a proven history of building and managing high-performing security teams and successfully navigating complex security challenges in a distributed environment.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive enterprise-wide information security strategy and roadmap.
• Establish and maintain information security policies, standards, and procedures.
• Oversee all aspects of the information security program, including risk management, incident response, vulnerability management, and security awareness training.
• Lead and mentor the cybersecurity team, fostering a culture of security excellence.
• Manage the information security budget and ensure cost-effective security solutions.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for cybersecurity matters with executive leadership, board members, and external stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards (e.g., GDPR, CCPA, NIST).
• Develop and implement a robust incident response plan and lead the response to security breaches.
• Stay current with emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and security technologies.
• Oversee security architecture reviews and ensure secure design principles are embedded in system development.
• Conduct regular security audits and assessments to identify and address potential weaknesses.
• Promote a strong security-aware culture throughout the organization.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in information security, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., CISO, VP of Security).
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing enterprise-level security strategies.
• Expert knowledge of information security principles, frameworks (e.g., NIST CSF, ISO 27001), and best practices.
• Proven experience in managing security risks, incident response, and compliance programs.
• Strong understanding of network security, application security, cloud security, and data protection.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to articulate complex security concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience managing remote teams and distributed workforce security.
• Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or CISA are highly desirable.
• Proven ability to build strong relationships with executive leadership and cross-functional teams.

This executive leadership position offers the unique opportunity to build and lead a world-class cybersecurity program from a remote location, driving security excellence for our organization based out of Des Moines, Iowa, US .