Deputy Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

As Deputy CISO, you’ll report directly to the CSO and act as their right hand - with near-term responsibility for driving execution across a comprehensive security portfolio and long-term succession planning built in.

You’ll oversee and eventually own:

• Day-to-day cyber operations across cloud security, threat intel, incident response, and insider threat programs.
• Enterprise risk management, including GRC, third-party/vendor risk, and regulatory frameworks (SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, etc.).
• Strategic AI/ML security initiatives - including the launch of a new AI security testing team to protect agent-based infrastructure from adversarial attacks.
• Cross-functional resilience planning, including business continuity, disaster recovery, and data lifecycle governance.

Your Background:

You’re a cyber executive with deep experience in operational security, strong engineering instincts, and the presence to thrive in the boardroom. You’re technical enough to mentor engineering teams, yet strategic enough to influence executive leadership - with a mindset that blends critical thinking, innovation, and pragmatism., * Taking command of day-to-day cyber operations without losing strategic alignment.

• Demonstrating problem-solving rigor under pressure, particularly in ambiguous or high-stakes situations.
• Establishing trust and credibility with board, executive peers, and frontline teams.
• Leading at least one major initiative around AI security, GRC maturity, or vendor risk reduction.

The Culture

This team doesn’t do “check-the-box” security. They are aggressive about improvement, with a no-nonsense attitude toward maturity metrics and operational discipline. The leadership style here is supportive but direct - you’ll be mentored, but you’ll also be expected to lead from day one.

You won’t be micromanaged, but you will be measured - and if you bring the goods, you’ll be rewarded with one of the most exciting succession opportunities in cybersecurity today.

Ready to Step In - and Step Up?

This role is ideal for the cyber leader who’s ready to transition from tactical excellence to full-spectrum strategic leadership. If you’re already a VP-level leader with the edge, intensity, and curiosity to become a world-class CSO - let’s talk.

• 10+ years of progressive InfoSec experience (VP or Head-Of level); 2-3 years+ in senior leadership.
• Demonstrated experience leading cloud-based security programs at scale.
• Hands-on familiarity with AI/ML in cybersecurity - not just buzzwords, but meaningful implementation and/or adversarial knowledge.
• Strong grasp of security frameworks and risk standards (NIST CSF, ISO 27001, SOC2, PCI, GDPR, etc.).
• Track record of operational leadership in environments where precision, regulation, and velocity coexist.
• Confident communicator with boardroom presence - able to translate complex risks into business-aligned decisions.
• Engineering mindset - ideally with a B.S. in a technical or scientific field (Computer Science, Engineering, Cybersecurity, etc.).

Bonus Points for:

• Experience from high-threat verticals like financial services, healthcare, logistics, or defense.
• Exposure to regulated, distributed enterprise environments.
• Background in penetration testing, red teaming, or adversarial AI exploration.
• National lab, defense, or advanced research environments.

Are you a bold, forward-looking cybersecurity leader ready to step into the future of cyber defense, AI innovation, and enterprise resilience? One of Blackmere’s clients is seeking a Deputy Chief Information Security Officer (VP-level) - a high-impact executive poised to become a key successor to the current CSO. This is more than just a job; it’s a fast-track opportunity to help lead one of the most sophisticated and respected security programs in the business.

With a globally recognized, top 6% cyber maturity rating and an org-wide AI-first mindset, this client is not just keeping up - they’re defining what the future of cybersecurity leadership looks like.

What’s in It for You:

• Executive Succession Path: Step into a VP role designed for growth, with a clear runway to SVP and eventual CSO succession.
• Elite Security Program: Join a globally ranked team that has outperformed major financial institutions in industry benchmarks.
• AI-Driven Innovation: Work with one of the most AI-mature cyber orgs in the country, where your expertise in AI/ML threat detection, defense, and resilience will be core to your leadership.
• Ownership + Visibility: Lead security operations and risk programs end-to-end, with regular board-level visibility and real impact on enterprise-wide strategy.
• Modern Culture + Remote Flexibility: Be part of a high-accountability, low-ego team operating with global reach and modern tooling.