Director, IT Security

Location: USA - New York City, NY

The Director, Security Strategy & Transformation is a senior leadership role responsible for defining, operationalizing, and governing the enterprise security strategy in alignment with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and evolving technology landscapes. Reporting directly to the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), this leader partners closely with technology executives, business leaders, and key stakeholders to translate security vision into measurable outcomes, scalable operating models, and sustainable risk reduction.

This highly cross-functional role combines security strategy, enterprise transformation, program leadership, operating model design, and executive advisory capabilities. The successful candidate will drive strategic initiatives that strengthen the organization's security posture while enabling innovation, business growth, and operational agility.

Key Responsibilities

Security Strategy & Planning

• Partner with the CISO and senior technology leaders to define, evolve, and execute the enterprise security strategy, multi-year roadmap, and investment priorities.
• Establish and monitor security OKRs, KPIs, and maturity models that align risk reduction, regulatory readiness, and business enablement objectives.
• Assess emerging risks and industry trends, including cybersecurity, privacy, insider risk, AI, and regulatory developments, and translate them into actionable strategies and investment decisions.
• Develop strategic frameworks that support long-term security, resilience, and business growth objectives.

Operating Model & Program Leadership

• Design and lead the enterprise security operating model, including strategic planning, portfolio governance, prioritization, and execution oversight across cybersecurity, privacy, and technology risk functions.
• Establish and mature portfolio management and PMO capabilities supporting initiatives such as identity and access management (IAM), vulnerability management, cloud security, insider risk, and operational resilience.
• Lead complex, enterprise-wide security transformation programs from strategy through implementation and adoption.
• Drive accountability through governance structures, performance metrics, and executive reporting.

Executive & Board Engagement

• Develop executive and board-level communications that clearly articulate security posture, risk exposure, program performance, investment value, and organizational maturity.
• Prepare and deliver strategic cybersecurity updates for executive leadership, board committees, and other governance forums.
• Translate complex technical and risk concepts into clear business narratives that support informed decision-making.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on security strategy, transformation initiatives, and emerging risks.

Risk, Privacy & Regulatory Enablement

• Translate regulatory, compliance, and privacy requirements into measurable roadmaps and strategic initiatives that balance innovation with effective risk management.
• Partner with Legal, Compliance, Audit, and Enterprise Risk Management teams to integrate security strategy into broader risk governance frameworks.
• Establish reporting and analytics capabilities that provide consistent visibility into risk, compliance, assurance, and incident response performance.
• Support regulatory readiness and audit activities across multiple jurisdictions and industries.

Technology & Innovation Enablement

• Guide the strategic adoption of cloud, AI/ML, automation, and observability technologies to modernize security operations and enterprise technology platforms.
• Evaluate and govern emerging technologies, including AI agents, generative AI capabilities, and semantic search solutions, ensuring security and privacy by design.
• Champion scalable, user-centric security solutions that enhance protection while minimizing operational friction.
• Partner with technology and product teams to embed security into innovation initiatives and digital transformation efforts.

Leadership & Change Management

• Lead through influence in highly matrixed environments, aligning engineering, operations, product, risk, and business teams around shared objectives.
• Drive organizational change through effective communication, stakeholder engagement, and structured change management practices.
• Build and foster communities of practice and centers of excellence that strengthen security capabilities, governance, and execution discipline.
• Mentor and develop leaders while promoting a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Risk Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in security strategy, enterprise transformation, technology risk, program leadership, management consulting, or related disciplines with progressively increasing responsibility.
• Proven experience partnering with CISO, CIO, CTO, or equivalent executive leaders within large, complex organizations.
• Demonstrated success designing, scaling, and governing enterprise security programs, including IAM, cloud security, vulnerability management, insider risk, privacy, and resilience initiatives.
• Strong experience in operating model design, portfolio governance, strategic planning, and KPI-driven performance management.
• Experience developing executive and board-level communications related to security, risk, transformation, and investment outcomes.
• Deep knowledge of cybersecurity, risk, compliance, and governance frameworks, including NIST CSF, NIST 800-53, ISO 27001, COBIT, SOX, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.
• Proven success leading organizational change, technology transformation, and cross-functional strategic initiatives.
• Experience designing and implementing automated workflows, integrations, reporting solutions, and operational dashboards.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and executive presentation skills.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to balance risk, operational efficiency, and business objectives.
• Familiarity with regulatory and compliance requirements across multiple regions, including the United States, European Union, and APAC.
• Knowledge of IT operational processes, including change management, incident management, and service management practices.
• Ability to translate complex technical, regulatory, and risk requirements into clear business outcomes and recommendations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Systems, Business Administration (MBA), or a related field.
• Industry certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CRISC, CGEIT, PMP, or equivalent.
• Experience within highly regulated industries, including healthcare, financial services, software, or technology organizations.
• Experience supporting enterprise AI governance, responsible AI initiatives, and security strategy for emerging technologies.

Our Interview Practices

To maintain a fair and genuine hiring process, we kindly ask that all candidates participate in interviews without the assistance of AI tools or external prompts. Our interview process is designed to assess your individual skills, experiences, and communication style. We value authenticity and want to ensure we’re getting to know you—not a digital assistant. To help maintain this integrity, we ask to remove virtual backgrounds and include in-person interviews in our hiring process. Please note that use of AI-generated responses or third-party support during interviews will be grounds for disqualification from the recruitment process.

Applicants may be required to appear onsite at a Wolters Kluwer office as part of the recruitment process.

Compensation

$181,900.00 - $325,050.00 USD

This role is eligible for Bonus.

Compensation range listed is based on primary location of the position. Actual base salary offer is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skills, experience and actual hiring location. Your recruiter can share more information about the specific offer for the job location during the hiring process.

Additional Information

Wolters Kluwer offers a wide variety of competitive benefits and programs to help meet your needs and balance your work and personal life, including but not limited to: Medical, Dental, & Vision Plans, 401(k), FSA/HSA, Commuter Benefits, Tuition Assistance Plan, Vacation and Sick Time, and Paid Parental Leave. Full details of our benefits are available upon request.

Additional Locations: USA - Cary, NC, USA - Tampa, FL, USA - Waltham, MA, USA - Philadelphia, PA, USA - Princeton, NJ, USA - Chicago, IL, West Adams St