Role Overview for Chief Information Security Officer | SaaS & Cloud Technology | Tampa, FL
Reporting directly to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), the Chief Information Security Officer will be the senior-most executive responsible for the company’s comprehensive information security and cybersecurity strategy. You will have full ownership of the security program, from high-level strategy and governance to hands-on tactical execution. Your mission will be to protect the organization’s corporate infrastructure, cloud environments, and the proprietary SaaS platform from an ever-evolving array of cyber threats.
This role demands a dynamic leader who can balance the demands of a fast-paced, agile development environment with the rigorous requirements of enterprise-grade security and compliance. You will serve as a trusted advisor to the executive leadership team and the Board of Directors, articulating complex security risks in clear business terms and championing the necessary investments in people, processes, and technology. You will build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of security professionals, fostering an environment of continuous learning and innovation. This is a unique opportunity to shape the security foundation of a future industry leader and make a tangible impact on its success.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Information Security Officer | SaaS & Cloud Technology | Tampa, FL
Strategic Leadership & Governance
Develop, implement, and maintain a strategic, long-term information security roadmap aligned with business objectives. Establish a comprehensive security governance framework, including policies, standards, and procedures, and oversee their effective implementation across the organization.
Risk Management & Compliance
Lead the enterprise-wide information security risk management program. Conduct regular risk assessments, identify vulnerabilities, and prioritize remediation efforts. Ensure and maintain compliance with relevant legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations, including SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, and CCPA. Act as the primary liaison for all internal and external security audits.
Cloud & Application Security (DevSecOps)
Champion and embed security best practices throughout the entire Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC). Partner with Engineering and DevOps teams to build a mature DevSecOps culture, integrating security testing (SAST, DAST, IAST) and automation into CI/CD pipelines. Architect and secure multi-cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP), implementing robust controls for infrastructure, data, and access.
Security Operations & Incident Response
Oversee the 24×7 Security Operations Center (SOC) function, whether in-house or managed. Mature the organization’s capabilities in threat detection, security monitoring, and vulnerability management. Develop, maintain, and test a comprehensive incident response plan, and lead the response to any security incidents, from initial detection to post-mortem analysis and remediation.
Threat Intelligence & Defense
Establish a proactive threat intelligence program to identify and analyze emerging threats relevant to the SaaS industry and the organization. Utilize this intelligence to continuously enhance defensive controls, including firewalls, IDS/IPS, endpoint detection and response (EDR), and data loss prevention (DLP) solutions.
Identity & Access Management (IAM)
Design and implement a robust IAM strategy for both corporate and production environments. Enforce principles of least privilege and manage the lifecycle of user identities and access rights, including privileged access management (PAM).
Data Protection & Privacy
Collaborate with the legal and compliance teams to develop and enforce data governance and privacy policies. Implement technical controls to protect sensitive data at rest and in transit, ensuring data classification, encryption, and handling standards are met.
Team Development & Mentorship
Recruit, train, and lead a world-class team of security engineers, analysts, and architects. Foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture that promotes professional growth, technical excellence, and a shared sense of purpose.
Executive Communication & Reporting
Develop and present key security metrics and dashboards to the executive team and Board of Directors. Clearly articulate the business impact of security risks and the ROI of security investments, using frameworks like the NIST Cybersecurity Framework to ground discussions.
Requirements for the Chief Information Security Officer | SaaS & Cloud Technology | Tampa, FL
Extensive Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in information security, with at least 7 years in a senior leadership capacity (e.g., Director, VP of Security, CISO) managing teams and strategic initiatives.
SaaS & Cloud Expertise
Demonstrable, hands-on experience securing a cloud-native SaaS product organization is mandatory. Deep technical knowledge of public cloud platforms (AWS strongly preferred, Azure/GCP a plus) and their native security services is required.
Technical Acumen
Broad and deep technical knowledge across all domains of cybersecurity, including network security, application security, cryptography, incident response, and modern authentication protocols.
Leadership & Vision
Proven track record of building, leading, and mentoring high-performing, globally distributed security teams. The ability to inspire confidence and create a positive, security-first culture is essential.
Business Acumen
Strong understanding of business principles and the ability to translate technical security concepts into business risk and value. Experience managing departmental budgets, negotiating with vendors, and presenting to executive leadership is crucial.
Compliance & Governance Mastery
In-depth experience with common security and privacy frameworks and regulations (e.g., SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, NIST, GDPR, CCPA). Experience leading an organization through successful compliance audits is highly desirable.
Education & Certifications
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field. Top-tier industry certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or CCISO are strongly preferred.
Communication Skills
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of audiences, from deeply technical engineers to non-technical board members.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top talent by offering a comprehensive and competitive compensation package. As a key member of the executive team, you can expect:
Executive Compensation
A highly competitive base salary, an aggressive annual performance-based bonus, and a significant equity stake in the company.
Comprehensive Health Coverage
Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your dependents with minimal employee contribution.
Retirement Planning
A robust 401(k) plan with a generous company matching contribution.
Work-Life Balance
A flexible and generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy, coupled with company-paid holidays, to ensure you have time to recharge.
Professional Growth
A substantial annual budget for professional development, including conferences, training, and certifications to keep you at the forefront of the industry.
Relocation Support
A comprehensive relocation package is available for the right candidate to move to the beautiful Tampa Bay area.
Modern Workplace
A state-of-the-art office environment designed for collaboration and innovation, with numerous onsite amenities.
How to Apply
JRG Partners is the exclusive recruitment partner for this confidential search. To be considered for this career-defining opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your experience in securing SaaS and cloud-native environments.
We are dedicated to a transparent and respectful recruitment process. Qualified candidates will be contacted by a senior partner from our firm to discuss the role in greater detail. For more information on our expertise in placing top-tier security leaders, please visit CISO & Security Leadership Search Executive Search practice page.
Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics.
