Head of IT Security Operations
Role purpose
The Head of IT Security Operations is responsible for managing the day to day security of GKN Automotive’s technology stacks across multiple international locations. You will lead the security operations team in a technical management role and work closely with other functions within GKN Automotive, to ensure security operations is at the forefront of innovation and best practice. You will play a critical part in identifying and safeguarding GKN Automotive from intrusion, security threats, security weaknesses, software vulnerabilities. You are the key authority for the coordination and management of security incident. Reporting to the Director of IT Security you will provide regular KPI reporting including updates on the threat landscape and intelligence.
Key responsibilities
Leadership and Coordination:Lead the Security Operations team to deliver best practice security capabilities globally. Ensure a consistent and repeatable approach to security across all regions and sites.
Compliance and Audits:Provide support and assistance in managing audits where necessary, particularly concerning ISO27001, NIS2, TISAX and other compliance standards.
Subject Matter Expertise:Serve as the SME for all Security Operations functions, including, but not limited to: SIEM Anti-Virus Vulnerability and Patch Management and use of tools Threat Intelligence Incident Management Security Architecture Project Assurance Supplier incident management
Security Posture Improvement:Define programme goals and roadmaps based on GKN Automotive’s needs and strategic direction and ensure that committed projects are delivered on schedule by the relevant team members.
Support and Issue Resolution:Act as the escalation point for the Security Operations team. Facilitate strong alignment between IT Security and other IT and Business functions with GKN Automotive. Run patch and vulnerability management forums. Support Security Champions Network.
Consultancy and Advice:Provide information security consultancy and advice to other GKN Automotive teams. Organise forums to share good practices and improvement initiatives for security enhancements.
Reporting and Risk Management:Set reporting requirements for GKN leadership reviews and meetings. Oversee security risk registers, ensuring regular assessments and timely risk treatment activities. Assist in implementing remediation actions to mitigate risks and meet best practice expectations. Report to senior business stakeholders including IT Directors, VPs, and CIO.
Audit Support:Provide assistance and support for site IT and OT and security audits.
Skills
Experience and Knowledge:Proven experience in information security with a track record of influencing and implementing major cultural changes. Experience of managing cross-functional teams in support of delivering expected organisational outcomes Knowledge of recognised frameworks and standards, such as TISAX, ISO 27001, NIST, CIS benchmark. Experience in physical security measures and their implementation.
Technical Skills:A subject matter expert in developing and operationalising techniques for security operations. Experience with industry standard SIEMs. Understanding of cloud infrastructure ., AWS, Azure, etc. Familiarity with web services, multi-tiered systems, workflow modelling and enterprise application integration. Awareness of IT and OT security technologies and best practices. Ability to conduct gap analysis, summarise results, and produce remediation plans.
Leadership and Communication:Proven experience in team leadership with the ability to motivate teams to deliver advantageous outcomes. Excellent stakeholder management and collaboration skills, with the ability to work across teams and departments at all levels. Good communication skills to convey information security and risk-related concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Organizational Skills:Ability to work on own initiative and meet personal deadlines while contributing to global team objectives. Good organisational skills and attention to detail.
Industry Knowledge:Knowledge of applicable data privacy practices and laws (., GDPR). Experience working in the automotive sector
Education
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, IT Security, Information Systems, or a related field. Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM Additional certifications related to cybersecurity and data privacy (., ISO 27001 Lead Implementer, TISAX Assessor) are a plus.
Experience
At least 7 years of experience in information security, with a focus on leading security functions. Experience with recognised security frameworks and standards, such as TISAX, ISO 27001, NIST and CIS. Must be able to demonstrate the ability to lead teams and manage global security operations effectively. Proven track record in stakeholder and partner/vendor management and collaboration across various departments. Must have practical experience with technical tools utilized in Security Operations, including but not limited to SIEM systems, Threat Intelligence platforms, Vulnerability and Patch Management solutions, the Microsoft Defender suite, web proxies, firewalls, Email gateway technologies, and endpoint protection tools. Must have experience in enhancing Security Operations capabilities to align with the strategic objectives of the business and address the risks posed by an evolving threat landscape.
