Security Engineer

This is a hands-on leadership role, and we want to be clear about what that means. You will personally own the organization’s security platforms and operations - not direct a large team that does it for you. You’ll set direction, run the tooling, lead incident response, and build the metrics leadership takes to the board. You’ll report to a technology executive with a deep cybersecurity background who built the current Zero Trust architecture and will be a genuine partner, not just an approver. If you’ve spent years as a senior security engineer or security manager and you’re ready for the title, the scope, and the seat at the table - without giving up the technical work you’re good at - this is that role. What you’ll own

• Administration, monitoring, and continuous improvement of the security stack: endpoint protection, identity security, cloud security, SIEM/SOAR, and threat detection

• Enterprise vulnerability management, AI-driven penetration testing, security assessments, and remediation across servers, endpoints, mobile, cloud, and infrastructure

• Hands-on security operations: threat monitoring, incident response, investigations, cyber-recovery planning, and coordination with managed security providers, auditors, and IR partners

• Partnership with infrastructure, applications, help desk, data, and business teams to implement controls, meet compliance requirements, and secure new initiatives

• Security metrics, operational dashboards, risk reporting, and remediation tracking that give leadership and the board real visibility - and a clear case for future investment

• Risk-based recommendations and technical guidance to IT leadership

The environment

• Microsoft-centered: Azure security services, Microsoft 365 Security, Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft Defender

• Endpoint and network security platforms including CrowdStrike and Zscaler

• SIEM, SOAR, EDR, and vulnerability management tooling; 24x7 managed SOC/MDR partnership

• A Zero Trust architecture already in place - you’ll mature it, not build it from zero

• A distributed footprint: many locations, a large and varied user population, and real-world operational stakes

Who does well here

• A player-coach. You want to lead and you want to keep your hands on the keyboard. You’d be bored in a pure oversight role.

• Calm under incident. You’ve run a response, made decisions with incomplete information, and written the post-mortem.

• A translator. You can explain risk to a CFO and a board as clearly as you can to an engineer.

• Mission-motivated. You want your work to protect an organization that serves people who need it. The client is a faith-affiliated nonprofit; candidates of all backgrounds are welcome, and genuine respect for the mission matters.

• Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, IT, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field

• 10+ years of progressive cybersecurity experience, including 5+ years leading security programs, operations, or teams

• Hands-on depth in vulnerability management, penetration testing, identity security, cloud security, and incident response

• Direct experience with Microsoft Azure and M365 security, Entra ID, and enterprise EDR/SASE platforms (CrowdStrike and Zscaler experience strongly preferred)

• Experience with SIEM, SOAR, and security monitoring platforms

• Clear written and verbal communication with technical and non-technical audiences

Preferred

• Master’s degree; experience in nonprofit, healthcare, social services, or mission-driven organizations

• Experience implementing NIST CSF or CIS Controls; managing audits, compliance assessments, and third-party risk

• Executive metrics and board-level reporting; AI-driven security tools and automated penetration testing

• Certifications such as CISM, CCSP, GIAC, Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect Expert, Azure Security Engineer Associate, CrowdStrike or Zscaler

What’s offered

• $140,000-$150,000 base salary

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer-paid life and disability insurance

• Paid parental leave; generous PTO, sick time, and 15 paid holidays

• Retirement savings plan; tuition reimbursement and professional development support

• Hybrid schedule; a stable, well-established organization; and work that matters

JR Recruiting is partnering with one of Chicago’s largest mission-driven nonprofit organizations - a human-services institution operating dozens of locations across the region and supporting well over a thousand staff - to hire a Senior Director of Cybersecurity., Jones Lang LaSalle

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