Job Title: Cyber Security Lead / CISO (Contract)
Location: Remote (Ireland-based project)
Contract: 6-month initial contract (multi-year programme)
Overview
We are supporting a leading energy organisation based in Ireland on a major multi-year cybersecurity transformation programme. They are seeking an experienced Cyber Security Lead / CISO-level contractor to take ownership of the organisation's cybersecurity strategy, security maturity roadmap, and overall risk posture.
This is a high-impact role operating at both strategic and operational levels, working closely with senior stakeholders to strengthen resilience, ensure regulatory alignment, and mature enterprise-wide cyber capabilities.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and define the enterprise cybersecurity strategy and roadmap, aligned to business and regulatory priorities
- Lead the continuous improvement of the organisation's cybersecurity maturity and resilience
- Oversee incident response, threat detection, and security operations strategy, ensuring effective capability and readiness
- Manage and enhance security governance, risk management, and compliance frameworks
- Ensure alignment with recognised frameworks including NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001
- Oversee and improve firewall and network security governance, ensuring effective perimeter defence strategies
- Lead third-party and vendor security risk assessments, ensuring robust supply chain security controls
- Engage with senior leadership and stakeholders as a trusted cyber security advisor
- Drive improvements in security tooling, monitoring, logging, and detection capabilities
- Support regulatory compliance requirements relevant to the energy sector and critical infrastructure
- Provide leadership across internal and external security teams and stakeholders
Key Requirements
- Proven experience in Cyber Security leadership roles (CISO, Head of Cyber Security, Cyber Security Director, or equivalent)
- Strong background in security strategy development and enterprise security transformation
- Hands-on experience with NIST CSF and ISO 27001 frameworks
- Strong knowledge of incident response, SOC operations, and threat detection
- Experience with firewall management and network security architecture
- Strong understanding of risk management and third-party/vendor security assessments
- Experience working within critical infrastructure, utilities, or regulated environments (energy sector desirable)
- Ability to operate at both strategic board-level and operational delivery level
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
Desirable Experience
- Exposure to NIS2, DORA, or similar regulatory frameworks
- Experience building or maturing SOC / Cyber Defence functions
- Knowledge of MITRE ATT&CK, SIEM platforms, and modern detection engineering
- Previous consultancy or transformation programme experience
About Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry unleashes potential in people, teams, and organizations. We work with our clients to design optimal organization structures, roles, and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people and advise them on how to reward and motivate their workforce while developing professionals as they navigate and advance their careers. To learn more, please visit Korn Ferry at www.Kornferry.com
