PPL Corporation

Senior Director Cyber Operations & Threat Intelligence

PPL Corporation • $150K — $200K *
Allentown, PA 18102In-Person
Information Technology
15+ years of experience
1 week ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's in Computer Science, IT, Cybersecurity; Master's preferred
  • 20+ years in cybersecurity or related, with senior leadership experience
  • Expertise in cybersecurity operations and incident response management
  • Strong leadership and project management capabilities
  • Excellent communication with both technical and non-technical teams
  • In-depth understanding of cybersecurity frameworks and tools
  • Experience with Agile principles and managing diverse teams

Responsibilities

  • Lead and enhance 24x7 SOC operations including detection and incident response
  • Direct cyber operations across various key domains such as Threat Intelligence and SOAR
  • Drive operational maturity aligned to NIST CSF domains
  • Oversee enterprise-level cyber incident response and establish playbooks
  • Operationalize intelligence-led defense integrating threat intelligence into detection
  • Own the design and optimization of cyber tooling and platforms
  • Establish integrated Attack Surface Management and risk-based vulnerability management

Benefits

  • Opportunity for hybrid work (3 days onsite) at multiple office locations
  • Exposure to cutting-edge technologies and cyber defense strategies
  • Leadership role impacting critical infrastructure and public safety
  • Collaboration with cross-functional teams including legal and compliance
  • Beneath broader organizational mission, contributing to community safety and security
Full Job Description
Overview

NOTE: This is a hybrid role requiring 3 days onsite at one of our local offices: Allentown, PA; Providence, RI or Louisville, KY. #INDPPL #LI-Hybrid

The Senior Director of Cyber Operations leads PPL's enterprise cyber defense organization, responsible for Security Operations (SOC), Threat Intelligence, Detection Engineering, Security Engineering, and Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR). This role oversees the day-to-day protection of a critical infrastructure environment and leads the ongoing transformation to a modern, intelligence-driven and automation-first cyber program. The leader will integrate emerging capabilities such as Agentic SOC architectures, Machine-driven Cyber Platforms (MCP), Attack Surface Management (ASM), and risk-based Vulnerability Management, while aligning operations to industry frameworks including NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF), and NERC CIP.

Responsibilities

Enterprise Cyber Operations Leadership

  • Lead and evolve PPL's 24x7 SOC operations, including monitoring, detection, and incident response
  • Direct cyber operations across:
    • Security Operations Center (SOC)
    • Threat Intelligence
    • Detection Engineering
    • Security Engineering
    • SOAR / automation platforms
  • Drive operational maturity aligned to NIST CSF domains (Detect, Respond, Recover)
  • Maintain executive-ready visibility into cyber risk, operational performance, and incident posture

Incident Response & Crisis Management

  • Lead enterprise cyber incident response and coordination, including high-impact events
  • Establish and mature playbooks, escalation models, and executive communication protocols
  • Partner with legal, compliance, and business leadership during cyber events
  • Ensure readiness through exercises aligned to NERC CIP and resilience requirements

Threat Intelligence & Detection Engineering

  • Operationalize intelligence-led defense by integrating threat intelligence into detection use cases
  • Lead detection engineering program to improve fidelity, reduce noise, and expand coverage
  • Advance proactive threat hunting capabilities across enterprise and critical systems

Security Engineering & Automation

  • Own design, implementation, and optimization of cyber tooling and platforms
  • Lead transition toward automation-first and Agentic SOC capabilities
  • Deploy and scale:
    • Advanced SIEM and XDR capabilities
    • SOAR platforms and playbook automation
    • MCP / AI-enabled cyber decision support systems
  • Ensure secure adoption and governance of AI in cyber operations aligned to NIST AI RMF

Attack Surface & Vulnerability Management

  • Establish integrated Attack Surface Management (ASM) across enterprise and external footprint
  • Lead risk-based vulnerability management program prioritizing remediation based on threat context and business criticality
  • Integrate asset, exposure, and threat data to drive measurable risk reduction

Critical Infrastructure & Regulatory Alignment

  • Ensure cyber operations align with NERC CIP requirements and broader regulatory obligations
  • Partner with compliance teams to support audits, evidence collection, and continuous improvement
  • Coordinate with OT/IT teams to protect grid operations and critical systems

Team Leadership & Culture

  • Lead a multi-disciplinary team spanning SOC, engineering, and threat intelligence functions
  • Develop talent, succession pipelines, and leadership bench strength
  • Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement
  • Drive alignment with enterprise cybersecurity strategy and "Guardians of the Grid" mission

Qualifications

Required Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field; Master's degree preferred but not required

Required Experience:
  • 20+ years of experience in cybersecurity or a related field, with demonstrated experience in a senior leadership role.
  • Proven experience in managing cybersecurity operations and incident response
  • Strong leadership and project management skills
  • Excellent communication and collaboration abilities
  • In-depth knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks and best practices
  • Proficiency in security tools and technologies
  • Experience managing large, diverse teams and leading complex projects
  • Understanding of Agile principles and methods
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills with technical and non-technical stakeholders
  • Ability to adapt to new technologies and methodologies
  • Ability to align IT transformation initiatives with the overall business strategy

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Advanced degree or relevant certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM, would be a plus)
  • Utilities industry experience

About PPL Corporation

As one of the largest investor-owned companies in the U.S. utility sector, PPL Corporation delivers on its promises to customers, investors, employees and the communities they serve. Their utilities – Western Power Distribution, Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities, and PPL Electric Utilities – provide an outstanding service experience for their customers, consistently ranking among the best in the U.S. and the U.K. Their stable earnings, secure dividend, solid management and high-quality assets represent an excellent low-risk opportunity for those looking to invest in the utility sector. For employees, the PPL family of companies offers the potential to grow in a wide range of exciting career opportunities. They are committed to providing essential energy services in extraordinary ways and they deliver. And they are a positive force in the cities and towns where they do business, providing support for programs that create jobs, donating millions to charitable organizations that improve the quality of life, and encouraging the generosity of employees who volunteer freely to help others.

PPL Corporation Careers

Join the dynamic team at PPL Corporation, a leader in the energy sector, where innovation, leadership, and professional growth are at the forefront of our operations. As one of the most respected companies in the industry, PPL Corporation offers a range of job opportunities designed to empower your career journey and foster a culture of excellence and diversity.

Work You’ll Do

At PPL Corporation, you’ll engage in meaningful work that directly impacts our customers and communities. Our team is committed to sustainable energy solutions and operational excellence, providing a platform for professionals to lead and innovate within the energy sector. Whether you’re interested in engineering, customer service, or corporate roles, PPL Corporation provides a landscape for professional and personal growth.

Explore Career Paths

We offer a variety of career paths, including full-time positions and internships for emerging talent. Our internship programs are a great way to gain hands-on experience and develop essential skills in a supportive environment. Interns at PPL Corporation work on real projects, receive mentorship from experienced leaders, and learn about the energy industry from the inside out.

Professional Development

PPL Corporation is dedicated to the continuous professional development of our team. With access to comprehensive training programs and leadership workshops, employees can expand their skills, engage in diversity training, and advance their careers. Our leadership is committed to nurturing high-potential professionals to innovate and lead in their respective fields.

Benefits and Culture

Choosing a career at PPL Corporation means more than just a job. Our employees enjoy competitive benefits, including health, retirement plans, and flexible working conditions, designed to support a healthy work-life balance. The culture at PPL Corporation is built on collaboration, respect, and inclusivity, ensuring a welcoming environment for all employees.

Join Our Team

If you’re looking to make a difference with your career, consider joining PPL Corporation. Explore our job opportunities and find a position that matches your skills and ambitions. We are continuously hiring talented individuals who are passionate about making an impact and ready to contribute to our success.

Stay Connected

Stay ahead in your career by leveraging our networking opportunities and staying connected with the latest company news. PPL Corporation values continuous learning and offers various resources to keep you informed and engaged in your professional development.

Apply Now

Ready to advance your career at PPL Corporation? Check out our current job openings, prepare your resume, and apply through our careers portal. We look forward to reviewing your application and possibly welcoming you to our team where your career growth can flourish.

PPL Corporation – Powering Your Future with Opportunities for Growth and Innovation.

Join us and be part of a team that values leadership, diversity, and professional excellence.
Learn more about PPL Corporation
Size
5,607 employees
Market Cap
$21.5 billion
Industry
Energy & Utilities
Net Income
$1.4 billion
Founded
1920
5 Year Trend
-5.1%
Revenue
$7.6 billion
NASDAQ
PPL
* Ladders Estimates

Similar Jobs

Ad banner background

Get Ready For Your
Next Interview

More Jobs at PPL Corporation

More Information Technology Jobs

Find similar Senior Director Cyber Operations & Threat Intelligence jobs:

NationwideAllentown, PA