Director of Cyber Operations

Job Title: Director of Cyber Operations
Location: UK – Cambridge – 2 Days a week
Salary - £140,000 to £160,000 + Package
About the Role:
We are seeking a seasoned and visionary cybersecurity leader to head global security operations at an innovative, fast-paced technology organisation. This role will drive the strategic and operational excellence of our threat detection, incident response, and vulnerability management functions across a globally distributed digital estate.
Reporting directly to the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), this high-impact position is responsible for setting and executing the direction of our detection and response capabilities—ensuring our resilience against ever-evolving cyber threats. You’ll also play a central role in executive-level crisis planning, team growth, and cybersecurity thought leadership across the business.
What You’ll Be Doing:

Shape and deliver the long-term roadmap for detection and response aligned with business strategy and threat landscape. Lead a highly skilled global team in building scalable, responsive, and intelligence-driven capabilities.
Evolve functions such as Threat Intelligence, Security Testing, and Analytics to deliver maximum situational awareness and actionable insights to operations.
Embed advanced automation and detection-as-code practices to enhance operational agility and data-driven decision-making.
Act as a key bridge between security operations, enterprise IT, technology leadership, and external partners—ensuring alignment of security goals with broader business priorities.
Implement and oversee operational metrics, governance processes, and risk validation methods to ensure performance against SLAs and regulatory expectations.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement, development, and wellbeing across your team. Lead by example in cultivating a high-trust, high-performance environment.
Stay at the forefront of security innovation and emerging technologies, including AI and ML in the cyber domain.What We’re Looking For:

A minimum of 10 years' experience across the security lifecycle, ideally with proven success leading cyber operations within a complex, global enterprise.
Strong executive communication skills, with the ability to translate complex risk issues into business-relevant insight and strategy.
A strategic thinker with deep domain knowledge across enterprise security, threat intelligence, and incident response, and who can effectively influence C-Suite stakeholders.
Demonstrated experience leading and mentoring cross-functional, high-performing teams with a focus on development and psychological safety.Preferred Qualifications:

Degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, or a related discipline—or equivalent practical experience.
Industry-recognised certifications (e.g., CISSP, GIAC, GCIH, GCFE, GREM) a plus.
Familiarity with ITIL and enterprise project management practices.
Experience managing third-party vendors and security transformation initiatives in large-scale, digitally complex organisations