Senior Director, Digital Security

Company Description

From global research discoveries to clinical breakthroughs – our vision is to become the most influential life sciences company for researchers. If you are motivated by making a real impact to people’s life and have a desire to work in a passionate and diverse community, Abcam is the place for you.

Our culture is driven by our dedicated, agile and audacious community of professionals who are driven by a combined purpose and sense of belonging. We’re incredibly proud to be recognised as one of the top 5 best places to work in the UK for two years running, as per Glassdoor’s Employees’ Choice Award.

Job Description

Reporting to our Senior Vice President for Information Technology, the Senior Director of Digital Security will work closely with the Executive Leadership Team, other members of the information technology team and key stakeholders to support the infrastructure, networks (voice and data) and offices around the world. The successful applicant will have overall accountability for Cyber Security at Abcam, including defining the strategy and building an effective roadmap and programme based on the strategy.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious IT Security professional to gain broad experience in a rapidly growing international life science business.  The ideal candidate will have high intellectual ability and a successful track record of building and implementing an effective Cyber security strategy in collaboration with the wider Digital roadmap.

Role and Responsibilities

• Define and update Abcam security policy and standards working with the Architecture teams to build a secure by design culture
• Define secure coding standards and employ a governance leadership to ensure that code threat assessments are performed and managed
• Define and update Abcam Cyber Security Strategy and develop roadmap of improvements to deliver to this strategy
• Own the overall Cyber Security programme of work and deliver it through both the Cyber Security team and through others; specifically, business systems, architecture and software engineering
• Run effective IT security operations through proactive testing and incident management
• Establish and maintain an appropriate security stance through policy, architecture and training processes
• Develop and implement a risk framework methodology to assess and communicate risk and build appropriate action plans
• Communicate and report the effectiveness of IT Security at Abcam through performance metrics and status reports
• Ensure sensitive data stored at rest or in transit is appropriately secured and audited
• Enhance the security culture within Abcam by providing guidance, awareness and advocacy of Information Security
• Advise and guide the engineering teams to drive “security first” engineering practises, standards and controls
• Advise on security concerns and solutions
• Supervise the design and execution of proactive vulnerability assessments, penetration tests and security audits
• Ensure security incidents are handled and resolved in a timely manner and within agreed SLAs. 
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the cyber security industry including awareness of new or revised security solutions, improved security processes and the development of new attacks and threat vectors.
• Manage a budget and manage costs associated with security products and services

Qualifications

You will have previous experience Leading IT security in a collaborative, diverse and fast paced environment.  With excellent communication and influencing skills to engage and educate senior stakeholders and peers in the importance of delivering Cyber Security.  In addition, you will also have strong programme delivery skills to deliver a large, complex programme of work on time and within budget.  

You will have extensive knowledge of security intelligence threats and threat actors along with demonstrated ability to make security risk determinations based on threat intelligence analysis.  You will have experience of Software as a Service solutions and their associated security risks.  Experience with industry best-practice in the governance, operation and management of systems (e.g. ISO 27001, ITIL, PCI Compliance, COBIT, ISO 31000).

Qualifications & Certifications: 

• Degree in IT security, computer science or related discipline. Post-graduate IT or Management qualifications. 

• Relevant security certifications like ISACA, CISA / CISM, CGEIT, CISSP, SSCP, CEH, Security, GCIH, GCIA certification in Network Intrusion, Incident Handling or Forensic Analysis 

• GRC tooling knowledge

If this sounds like you and you’d like to be a part of a fast paced, growing business with the vision to become the most influential company and best-loved brand in life sciences please apply now!

Additional Information

We know that when it comes to benefits, no one size fits all. Flexibility and choice matter which is why we offer all kinds of ways to enable you and your loved ones to be well and live well. You can expect;

• A culture focused on well-being and opportunities for growth and development. We provide a wide range of training opportunities, for both professional and personal development.
• The freedom to work in a way that works for you, with a focus on maximising productivity and innovation at work whilst reducing environmental impact.
• A performance-based share plan, inspiring and rewarding our people as we deliver Abcam’s strategy.
• Attractive and flexible package including 18 weeks full paid maternity leave and 6 weeks full paid paternity leave, increased holiday allowance over time and much more.

We offer a truly inclusive environment where you can bring youREF253Zr whole self to work. This is underpinned by our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and our partnerships with WORK180 (endorsed employer for women) and MyGwork (LGBT+ professional community). All our positions are open as a Job Share, where two talented professionals can share the responsibility of a full time position. You can declare your interest in a job share role within the application form.

Abcam is an Equal Opportunity Employer and makes all employment decisions without regard to age, national origin, race, ethnicity, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you’re interested in this particular role then we’d love to read your application.