Associate Director

Associate Director - Security Operations page is loaded

Associate Director - Security Operations

Apply locations Dublin time type Full time posted on Posted 5 Days Ago job requisition id JR7635

Associate Director - Security Operations

We are Grant Thornton. We go beyond business as usual, so you can too.

Grant Thornton Advisors LLC and Grant Thornton Ireland (GT) have recently come together to form a powerful multinational, multidisciplinary platform that delivers premier advisory, tax, and independent audit services. With $2.7 billion in revenues and nearly 60 offices across the U.S., Ireland, the UAE, and other territories, our combined platform brings enhanced solutions and capabilities supported by cutting-edge technologies and a team of nearly 13,000 quality-driven professionals.

Grant Thornton Ireland contributes nearly 3,000 people across 9 offices in Ireland, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, and Bermuda, and is part of a global network of over 68,000 professionals spanning more than 149 countries. Together, we offer a truly global reach backed by deep local knowledge and national expertise.

By joining forces, we strengthen our ability to act as trusted advisors who make business more personal — investing in relationships and empowering clients to make the right decisions for their organisations today and into the future. Whether working with the public sector to build thriving communities, partnering with regulators and financial institutions to build trust, or supporting diverse businesses to achieve their goals, Grant Thornton now provides a singular, seamless client experience grounded in collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to the issues that matter most.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Associate Director of Security Operations to lead critical security initiatives and operations within our organisation. This senior-level role requires a seasoned cyber security professional with deep expertise in identity and access management, privileged access management, vulnerability management, and security operations centre management. The ideal candidate will have 10+ years of progressive experience in cyber security with hands-on expertise in enterprise security technologies and frameworks.

Key Responsibilities:

Identity Access Management (IAM)

- Lead the design, implementation, and management of enterprise IAM solutions and strategies

- Oversee user lifecycle management, role-based access controls, and access governance programs

- Develop and maintain IAM policies, procedures, and compliance frameworks

- Collaborate with IT and business teams to ensure proper access provisioning and de-provisioning processes

CyberArk Privileged Access Management (PAAM)

- Manage and optimize CyberArk PAAM infrastructure and implementations

- Oversee privileged account discovery, onboarding, and lifecycle management

- Ensure compliance with privileged access policies and regulatory requirements

- Lead CyberArk platform upgrades, integrations, and security enhancements

Illumio Microsegmentation

- Design and implement microsegmentation strategies using Illumio platform

- Develop network security policies and zero-trust architecture initiatives

- Monitor and analyze network traffic patterns and security events

- Collaborate with network teams on segmentation deployment and maintenance

Certificate and Key Management

- Oversee enterprise PKI infrastructure and certificate lifecycle management

- Manage cryptographic key generation, distribution, storage, and rotation processes

- Ensure compliance with certificate management policies and industry standards

- Coordinate with vendors and internal teams on certificate-related projects

Security Operations Center (SOC) Management

- Lead SOC operations, including 24/7 monitoring, incident response, and threat hunting

- Develop and maintain security monitoring use cases, playbooks, and procedures

- Manage SOC analyst teams and provide technical guidance and mentorship

- Oversee security incident escalation processes and coordination with stakeholders

Microsoft Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

- Design and implement Microsoft DLP policies and configurations

- Monitor and analyze data exfiltration attempts and policy violations

- Develop data classification schemes and protection strategies

- Provide guidance on data handling procedures and compliance requirements

Qualys Vulnerability and Patch Management

- Lead enterprise vulnerability management program using Qualys platform

- Oversee vulnerability scanning, assessment, and remediation processes

- Manage patch management operations and coordinate with system administrators

- Develop vulnerability metrics, reporting, and risk assessment frameworks

Required Qualifications:

Experience and Skills

- Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in cybersecurity and information security

- 5+ years in leadership or senior technical roles within security operations

- Extensive hands-on experience with CyberArk PAAM implementation and management

- Proven expertise in Identity and Access Management solutions and frameworks

- Strong experience with Illumio microsegmentation platform

- Deep knowledge of PKI, certificate management, and cryptographic systems

- Comprehensive experience managing Security Operations Center (SOC) operations

- Proficiency in Microsoft DLP configuration, policy development, and management

- Expert-level knowledge of Qualys vulnerability management and patch management platforms

- Strong understanding of security frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001, CIS Controls)

- Experience with compliance requirements (SOX, PCI DSS, HIPAA, etc.)

Technical Competencies

- Advanced knowledge of network security, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems

- Proficiency in security information and event management (SIEM) platforms

- Strong scripting and automation skills (PowerShell, Python, Bash)

- Experience with cloud security (AWS, Azure, GCP)

- Knowledge of threat intelligence platforms and threat hunting methodologies

- Understanding of DevSecOps practices and security automation

Leadership and Communication

- Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex security projects

- Excellent communication skills with ability to present to executive leadership

- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities

- Experience in vendor management and contract negotiations

- Ability to translate technical concepts to business stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or related field

- Master's degree in Cybersecurity or MBA preferred

- Industry certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CISA, or equivalent

- CyberArk certifications (Defender, Sentry, Guardian)

- Illumio platform certifications

- Qualys certifications (VMDR, VMPC)

- Microsoft Security certifications

- Experience in regulated industries (financial services, healthcare, government)

Education Requirements

- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or related technical field

- Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered

Working Conditions

- Full-time position with occasional after-hours work for incident response

- Hybrid work environment with flexibility for remote work

- May require travel for conferences, training, or vendor meetings

- On-call responsibilities for critical security incidents

Life at GT

Reward and benefits:

Our reward and benefits are designed to create an environment where our people can flourish. We are committed to building a culture where our people have access to the necessary benefits to help promote a healthy lifestyle and thrive.

Inclusion and diversity:

Included and valued for your difference is how everyone should feel at work. Not just because it is right, but because we are all at our best when we are able to be ourselves. So, when you join Grant Thornton, we will work hard to ensure that is how you feel. We want you for who you are. We are excited to see the personality and perspectives you will bring to our team because we know we will all benefit from them.

Diversity of thought, background and experience enables better decision-making, improves the quality of our delivery, and helps us to meet the needs of our clients. Our firm is built on people and their ideas, so we want to hear all the

new perspectives and fresh thinking you have to offer.

Recognition:

We want to create a culture of recognition and celebrating success, by saying thank you to people who surpass our expectations and recognising the right values and behaviours. Our Shout Out recognition scheme is our way of highlighting and promoting achievements. Whether you simply want to say thank you, celebrate a special occasion or give an award for doing something exceptional, you can do all of this and more through the scheme.

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Grant Thornton Ireland (GT) has nearly 3,000 people in 9 offices across Ireland, The Isle of Man, Gibraltar, and Bermuda. With a presence in over 145 countries around the world, and a global network of over 68,000 people , we bring you the local knowledge, national expertise and global presence to help you and your business succeed – wherever you're located. We deliver solutions to all business challenges. Clients choose us because the breadth of financial and business services they need is available, delivered innovatively and always to the highest standards. At Grant Thornton we are committed to long term relationships.

Grant Thornton Ireland operate from offices in Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Galway, Kildare, Limerick, Isle of Man, Gibraltar and Bermuda.

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