Lead Cyber Defense Strategy

Optimum

$133K — $219K *
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or related field, or equivalent experience
  • 8+ years experience in Cyber Security or related field
  • Demonstrated leadership experience in SOC, incident response, threat intelligence, or vulnerability management
  • Strong knowledge of cyber defense frameworks and standards (e.g., NIST CSF, MITRE ATT&CK, ISO 27001)
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional programs and influence outcomes without direct authority
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level reporting

Responsibilities

  • Define and evolve the cyber defense operations strategy and roadmap
  • Coordinate execution across SOC, Incident Response, Threat Intelligence, and Vulnerability Management teams
  • Establish operational reviews, risk reviews, and post-incident reviews
  • Drive the development and standardization of response protocols and playbooks
  • Translate emerging threats into operational priorities and improvements
  • Develop and report cybersecurity KPIs and KRIs
  • Lead improvement exercises and operational readiness drills to enhance crisis response
  • Identify process and tooling gaps and coordinate automation initiatives

Benefits

  • Opportunity for professional growth in a dynamic and critical field
  • Engagement with various stakeholders across the organization
  • Challenging work in a fast-paced cybersecurity environment
  • Work collaboratively with teams focused on reducing cyber risks and improving resilience
  • Access to resources for professional certifications and continuous learning
Full Job Description
Job Summary

The Lead, Cyber Defense Operations Strategy and Coordination drives the strategic direction and operational alignment of enterprise cyber defense capabilities. This role ensures coordinated execution across Security Operations Center (SOC), Incident Response, Threat Intelligence, and Vulnerability Management functions to reduce cyber risk and improve resilience.

Responsibilities

  • Define and evolve the cyber defense operations strategy, roadmap, and operating model
  • Coordinate priorities and execution across SOC, IR, Threat Intelligence, Vulnerability Management, and security engineering teams
  • Establish and lead oversight, including operational reviews, risk reviews, and post-incident reviews
  • Drive development and standardization of playbooks, runbooks, escalation paths, and response coordination protocols
  • Translate emerging threats into operational priorities, detection use cases, and control improvements
  • Develop and report KPIs/KRIs such as MTTT, MTTR, detection coverage, and remediation SLA performance
  • Partner with Infrastructure, IT, Legal, Privacy, and business teams during incident response and readiness efforts
  • Lead improvement exercises and operational readiness drills (PTEs, Table tops, etc.) to strengthen crisis response
  • Identify process and tooling gaps and coordinate automation and operational improvement initiatives


Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent experience
  • 8+ years experience in Cyber Security or related field
  • Demonstrated experience in SOC, incident response, threat intelligence, or vulnerability management leadership
  • Strong knowledge of cyber defense frameworks and standards (for example, NIST CSF, MITRE ATT&CK, ISO 27001)
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional programs and influence outcomes without direct authority
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level reporting
    Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in large enterprise or regulated industry environments
  • Familiarity with SIEM, SOAR, EDR, case management, and vulnerability risk platforms
  • Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, GIAC (GCIH/GCIA), or PMP

Pay is competitive and based on a number of job-related factors, including skills and experience. The starting pay rate/range at time of hire for this position in New York is $133,661.00 - $219,586.00 / year. For other locations, please inquire with your recruiter. The rates/ranges provided herein are the anticipated pay at the time of hire, and do not reflect future job opportunity.

We appreciate your interest in this opportunity. Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. Please note that at this time, we do not provide visa sponsorship for employment.

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