Role Overview for VP, Cybersecurity with a Fortune 500 Manufacturer – Detroit, MI
JRG Partners is proud to exclusively represent a global, industry-leading Fortune 500 manufacturer in their search for a transformative Vice President of Cybersecurity. Based in the vibrant Detroit, Michigan metropolitan area, this executive will join a company at the forefront of technological innovation and digital transformation within the manufacturing sector. Our client is a household name, renowned for its commitment to quality, engineering excellence, and a forward-thinking approach to business.
This is a career-defining opportunity to shape and lead the global cybersecurity strategy for an organization navigating the complexities of Industry 4.0, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and the convergence of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT). The VP of Cybersecurity will be a key member of the senior technology leadership team, reporting directly to the Chief Information Officer (CIO). You will be entrusted with the critical mission of protecting the company’s vast digital ecosystem, including sensitive corporate data, invaluable intellectual property, customer information, and the critical infrastructure that powers its global manufacturing operations.
The ideal candidate is a strategic, business-minded security leader with a proven track record of building and maturing enterprise-level security programs in complex, multinational environments. You are not just a technologist; you are a visionary leader who can anticipate future threats, articulate risk in business terms to the board of directors, and foster a pervasive culture of security across all levels of the organization. This role requires a deep understanding of both corporate IT security and the unique challenges of securing OT and Industrial Control Systems (ICS) in a modern manufacturing landscape. You will be the principal architect and guardian of the company’s cyber defenses, ensuring resilience, compliance, and trust in an increasingly connected and perilous digital world.
Key Responsibilities of VP, Cybersecurity with a Fortune 500 Manufacturer – Detroit, MI
Strategic Leadership & Vision
Develop, implement, and continuously refine a comprehensive, forward-looking global cybersecurity strategy that aligns with the company’s business objectives, growth plans, and digital transformation initiatives. Articulate a clear vision for cyber resilience and champion its adoption across the enterprise.
Enterprise Risk Management
Lead the enterprise-wide cyber risk management program. This includes identifying, assessing, quantifying, and mitigating cyber risks across all business units, functions, and geographies. Provide regular, clear reporting on the company’s risk posture to the executive leadership team and the Board of Directors.
Security Operations & Incident Response
Oversee the global Security Operations Center (SOC) and all related security monitoring, threat detection, and analysis activities. Mature and regularly test the company’s incident response and crisis management capabilities to ensure rapid and effective containment, eradication, and recovery from security incidents.
Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC)
Establish and maintain a robust GRC framework. Ensure the company’s adherence to relevant laws, regulations (e.g., SOX, GDPR, CCPA), and industry standards. Oversee internal and external audits related to cybersecurity and manage remediation efforts.
Operational Technology (OT) & ICS Security
Design and execute a specialized security strategy for the company’s manufacturing environments. This involves protecting industrial control systems, SCADA systems, and other operational technologies from cyber threats, ensuring the safety, integrity, and availability of production processes.
Team Leadership & Development
Recruit, mentor, and lead a world-class, globally distributed cybersecurity team. Foster a culture of excellence, continuous learning, and collaboration. Develop career paths and succession plans for key security roles within the organization.
Budget & Financial Management
Develop and manage the multi-million dollar annual cybersecurity budget, ensuring strategic allocation of resources to address the most critical risks. Evaluate and manage relationships with third-party vendors, service providers, and consultants to maximize value and performance.
Executive & Board Communication
Serve as the primary cybersecurity advisor to the C-suite and the Board. Translate complex technical concepts into clear, concise business terms, enabling informed decision-making on risk and investment.
Threat Intelligence & Proactive Defense
Establish and leverage a proactive threat intelligence program to anticipate and counter emerging threats. Shift the security posture from reactive to predictive, utilizing intelligence to inform security architecture, controls, and operational priorities.
Security Architecture & Engineering
Partner with IT and engineering teams to embed security into the design and development of all new systems, applications, and services (DevSecOps). Ensure that the company’s technology architecture is resilient, secure, and scalable.
Identity & Access Management (IAM)
Oversee the enterprise-wide IAM strategy, including privileged access management (PAM), single sign-on (SSO), and multi-factor authentication (MFA), to ensure the principle of least privilege is enforced across all systems.
Data Protection & Privacy
Collaborate closely with the Chief Privacy Officer and Legal counsel to develop and implement robust data protection strategies, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive corporate and customer data.
Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM)
Mature the TPRM program to assess and manage the cybersecurity risks associated with the company’s extensive network of suppliers, partners, and vendors in the global supply chain.
Security Awareness & Training
Design and champion a comprehensive security awareness program to educate all employees, from the factory floor to the boardroom, on their role in protecting the company’s assets and fostering a strong security-first mindset.
Requirements for the VP, Cybersecurity with a Fortune 500 Manufacturer – Detroit, MI
Required Qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, Engineering, or a related field.
- A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in cybersecurity or information technology, with at least 7-10 years in a senior leadership capacity (Director, Sr. Director, or VP level).
- Demonstrable experience developing and managing cybersecurity programs within a large, global manufacturing, automotive, or industrial organization.
- Deep, practical knowledge of Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS) security principles, standards (e.g., ISA/IEC 62443), and technologies.
- Proven success in building, leading, and mentoring high-performing, geographically dispersed cybersecurity teams.
- Exceptional strategic thinking and business acumen, with the ability to create security strategies that enable business growth and innovation.
- Outstanding communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the proven ability to effectively communicate with senior executives, board members, technical staff, and non-technical employees.
- Extensive experience in cyber risk management, incident response, and regulatory compliance in a complex, global environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- An advanced degree such as an MBA or a Master of Science in Cybersecurity, Information Assurance, or a related discipline.
- Prestigious industry certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), or Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).
- Extensive expertise in implementing and managing security programs based on established frameworks, particularly the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, ISO 27001, and COBIT.
- Experience securing large-scale public cloud environments (e.g., Azure, AWS, GCP) and hybrid cloud architectures.
- Direct experience managing cybersecurity due diligence and integration activities for mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
- Experience operating within the complex regulatory environment of a publicly-traded company.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top-tier executive talent and offers a highly competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, including:
Executive Compensation
A highly competitive base salary, a significant annual performance-based bonus, and a substantial long-term equity incentive (LTI) package.
Health & Wellness
Premier, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your eligible dependents, with low employee contributions.
Retirement Planning
A robust 401(k) retirement savings plan featuring a generous company match to help you secure your financial future.
Work-Life Balance
A generous paid time off (PTO) policy, numerous company holidays, and a commitment to supporting a healthy work-life integration.
Professional Growth
A dedicated budget for your continued professional development, including executive coaching, industry conference attendance, and advanced certifications.
Relocation Assistance
A comprehensive, executive-level relocation package to assist with your move to the dynamic Detroit metropolitan area.
Additional Perks
Includes an executive car allowance, company-sponsored wellness programs, and access to exclusive employee discount programs.
How to Apply
JRG Partners has been exclusively retained to manage this critical executive search. We are seeking a visionary leader ready to make a significant impact on a global scale. If you are a cybersecurity executive with the experience, passion, and strategic mindset to protect a world-class manufacturing enterprise, we encourage you to apply.
To be considered for this confidential opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications. Learn more and apply directly through the JRG Partners’ Technology Officers practice area.
