Director of Information Security

Overview

The Cyber Security Director leads and manages a skilled security team to protect IDEA Public Schools' information systems, networks, communications, and technology.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the security team, ensuring effective performance and development of all team members.
• Provide technical supervision and guidance to the security team, ensuring high standards of work quality and security practices.
• Delegate work assignments and review work products to ensure alignment with organizational goals and security standards.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, set goals, and provide mentorship to support professional growth and development of team members.
• Oversee the design and implementation of complex security enhancements across systems, networks, and cloud platforms.

Location

This is a full-time remote position based in Texas with preference given to candidates who live in Austin, El Paso, Houston, Permian Basin (Midland/Odessa), Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Tarrant County (Fort Worth), or who are willing to relocate.

Travel Expectations

• This role requires 20% travel to campuses across multiple regions.

What You’ll Do – Accountabilities

Essential Duties

• Design, implement, and enforce network policies, standards, and configurations to ensure 100% BoY deliverables by FDoS for all 149 campuses.
• Maintain 99.5% uptime for the year.
• Ensure 100% of network connected systems and resources are at a Security Maturity Level of at least "3 – Defined" in accordance with the Texas Cyber Security Framework and retain certification for ISO 27001 controls and clauses.
• Cultivate internal talent to have resources readily available as business needs change by ensuring at least 2 IT cyber security-based community-driven educational opportunities or 1 cyber security-based industry certification completed by end of Q3 by each employee.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with other departments to identify risks, address security design gaps, and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Develop and enforce security policies and procedures to maintain a robust security posture.
• Monitor and report on the effectiveness of security measures, making recommendations for improvements as needed.

Knowledge and Skills – Competencies

• Make Sound Decisions: Consider ethical, strategic, and operational aspects of decisions, ensuring they align with the organization's mission and values.
• Manage Work and Teams: Coordinate between teams, align team objectives with organizational strategy, and optimize resource allocation across teams.
• Grow Self and Others: Plan and implement development strategies across multiple teams or departments, ensuring alignment between individual growth and organizational goals, and develop programs addressing diverse group needs.
• Build Trust and Psychological Safety: Ensure team members feel safe expressing ideas and concerns, address conflicts, and facilitate open communication.
• Communicate Deliberately: Deliver complex ideas and strategies across multiple teams or departments, aligning with organizational goals and enhancing team alignment and strategic execution.

Required Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum 6 years of experience in an enterprise-level organization, K-12, or higher education within a Cyber Security team and at least 2 years within an IT leadership or lead role

Preferred Experience

• Ability to obtain or have obtained a senior security certification (e.g., CISSP, CISM) within the last 5 years
• Knowledge of Network Switches, Routers, VPN, and firewall technologies
• Knowledge of risk assessment tools, technologies, and methods
• Experience using anti-virus software, intrusion detection, and content filtering
• Experience designing secure networks, systems, and application architectures
• Experience with basic protocols and tools such as syslog, SNMP, and NetFlow
• Experience planning, researching, and developing security policies, standards, and procedures

Physical Requirements

• Working on a computer and typing for long periods of time
• Able to lift 30-50 lbs. and use of ladders and tools necessary for IT equipment installations and replacements
• Valid driver’s license from state of residence and ability to travel within the United States of America using all modes of travel

What We Offer

• Compensation & Benefits: Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $108,100 and $128,600, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. This role is also eligible for performance pay based on organizational performance and goal attainment. Additionally, we offer medical, dental, and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. You can find more information about our benefits at https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/benefits/.
  
• IDEA may offer a relocation stipend to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.