Principal Cybersecurity & Identity Transformation Leader
Location: Global / Remote / Hybrid (Client-Dependent) Role Type: Full-Time / Contract / Advisory Sector: Cybersecurity, Identity & Access Management (IAM), Digital Transformation About the Role: We are seeking elite Cybersecurity and Identity & Access Management (IAM) Leaders who possess the strategic vision to solve complex security challenges at the enterprise scale. As a Transformation Leader, you will not just execute tasks; you will architect security roadmaps, drive multi-million dollar compliance initiatives, and lead digital security transformations for organizations ranging from Fortune 500 giants to highly regulated federal and financial institutions. What You Will Do: Strategy & Architecture: Define and lead 3–5 year security roadmaps, transitioning legacy identity systems to modern Zero Trust, cloud-native (AWS/Azure/GCP), and AI-governed architectures. Governance & Compliance: Serve as a subject matter expert for high-stakes regulatory audits, ensuring organizational adherence to NIST 800-53, GDPR, HIPAA, SOX, and FedRAMP standards. Identity & PAM Orchestration: Architect, deploy, and optimize enterprise-grade Identity and Privileged Access Management (PAM) ecosystems (Ping, SailPoint, Okta, CyberArk) to mitigate systemic operational risks. Program Leadership: Direct cross-functional, global teams to deliver high-visibility projects, from cloud migration and mainframe sunsetting to enterprise-wide MFA rollouts. Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a strategic partner to C-level executives, CISOs, and CIOs, translating complex technical risks into business-driven financial and operational solutions. Risk Mitigation: Conduct deep-dive security assessments, gap analyses, and forensic investigations to proactively secure digital infrastructure. Who You Are (Required Qualifications): Education: Master’s Degree (MBA, MS in Cybersecurity, or related field) preferred. Strategic Experience: 10+ years of progressive leadership in cybersecurity, IT, or IAM. Domain Expertise: Proven track record in IAM/PAM, Cloud Security (CNAPP/CWPP/CSPM), and large-scale enterprise infrastructure. Certifications: Professional credentials such as CISSP, CISM, PMP, CSM, or equivalent high-level industry certifications. Governance Mastery: Deep understanding of internal controls, risk management frameworks (RMF), and audit readiness. Business Acumen: Experience managing large budgets ($5M–$20M+), vendor negotiations, and organizational change management. Preferred Skills (The "Plus" List) Experience with Active Directory / Non-Human Account (Service Account) repository re-platforming. Technical fluency in Identity Analytics (Splunk, Databricks) and Policy-as-Code (Terraform). Experience in Defense / Government contracting (TS/SCI clearances a significant asset). Hands-on engineering background transitioning into strategic leadership roles. About SPERTON: Sperton is a recruitment and consulting company with an international focus. We are committed to helping our clients succeed in their hiring processes and finding the right people for the right positions. This role is part of our Reverse Marketing Program. What this means for you: Instead of simply applying for a single static vacancy, by applying for this position, you are engaging Sperton to advocate for you. If you meet the technical bar, our expert consultants will proactively present your "blind" professional profile (removing personal identifiers) to our extensive network of Tier 1 clients and global partners who are seeking your specific expertise. Our goal is to find the perfect cultural and technical match for your career goals, rather than fitting you into a single box. Why Apply Through Sperton? Visibility: Get your profile in front of decision-makers at multiple top-tier companies simultaneously. Advocacy: We act as your professional agent, negotiating on your behalf to ensure competitive compensation and growth opportunities. Global Reach: Access opportunities across the Nordics, Europe, and the U.S. through our international office network.