Chief Information Security Officer

About This Role

Reporting to the Chief Information Officer (“CIO”), the CISO will provide university-wide leadership for strengthening, maintaining, and professionalizing K-State’s information security management program to ensure that information assets are adequately protected. The CISO will develop relationships across campus, serving as an educator, facilitator, and trainer, ensuring that constituents feel well supported on issues of security and use. The CISO will lead a dedicated team of IT professionals, manage the University's cybersecurity strategy, and make key decisions on risk assessments, security measures, and tactical responses to emerging threats.

The ideal candidate is a thought leader, a consensus builder, and an integrator of people and processes. They will work with K-State’s research community to support their success and specific timelines, providing clear and timely communication and removing barriers to support efficiency. The successful candidate will champion the concept that information security is a shared responsibility for every employee who has been entrusted with sensitive data. They will bring a sustainable vision to K-State’s security efforts, keeping a pulse on industry developments and best practices. They will maintain a current understanding of the most highly effective digital platforms and programming and implement appropriate metrics to support effective and timely evaluations and business-value decisions. With an observant and advanced eye toward security, they will always remain vigilant about the IT threats to the University.

The next CISO will assess how to structure security within a complex environment. This individual will also bring experience with research organizations that prepares them to provide a vision to address the structural challenges facing tier one research institutions. This is an incredible opportunity to conceptualize and operationalize what excellence in cybersecurity can look like at K-State.

For more information about this position and Kansas State University, please review our University Profile.

Learn more about Manhattan, Kansas at www.madeformanhattan.org.

About Us

Kansas State University's Division of Information Technology, led by the Associate Vice President and CIO, Thomas Bunton, is committed to providing excellent IT services to the K-State community in support of the teaching, learning, research, and service missions. They offer a wide range of information, technology, and communications services. They provide leadership for developing and delivering computing and digital resources to K-State students, faculty and staff. In addition to the operation and management of IT Services, the Division comprises the administrative service functions of HR, finance, and communications. The Division coordinates and manages central IT business services including Enterprise Systems, Portfolio & Project Governance, Infrastructure & Operations, Academic Applications, Information Security, and Academic IT and Research Support.

Worksite Option

This position is on-site

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree plus ten years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred) in Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, or a related field
• Extensive experience in developing and managing comprehensive information security programs, including but not limited to cybersecurity strategies, risk management, data protection, and compliance frameworks;
• Strong leadership and team development skills, with a proven ability to build, manage, and mentor multidisciplinary cybersecurity teams;
• Deep understanding of information security technologies, trends, best practices, and regulatory requirements, with experience in designing and implementing detection and response security controls and measures;
• Experience working in top tier research environments;
• Excellent project management skills, capable of leading complex information security projects, including security infrastructure enhancements, policy development, and response plans;
• Experience in vendor and stakeholder management, including service level agreement negotiation, and partnership development to support security initiatives;
• Strong analytical, strategic planning, and communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex security concepts to non-technical stakeholders and influence decision-making at the executive level;
• Demonstrated ability to foster a culture of security awareness, innovation, and continuous improvement within the IT department and across the organization;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with an ability to convey complex security issues to a non-technical audience. Proven ability to establish rapport, influence decision-making, and facilitate cohesive communication across all levels of the organization;
• Additional certifications in information security (e.g., CISSP, CISM, CEH, GIAC) are highly preferred.

How to Apply

Kansas State University has retained the national search firm Isaacson, Miller to assist in recruiting its new Chief Information Security Officer. Please direct all inquiries, nominations, and applications to Isaacson, Miller.

Screening of Applications Begins

Immediately and continues until the completion of the search process