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# Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) with a Major Retailer – Bentonville, AR



Role Overview for Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) with a Major Retailer – Bentonville, AR
JRG Partners is proud to conduct an exclusive executive search for a visionary and strategic Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) on behalf of our client, a globally recognized, multi-billion-dollar retail leader headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas. This is a rare opportunity to step into a pivotal leadership role and shape the future of cybersecurity for an organization that touches millions of lives every day. As the CISO, you will be the senior-most executive responsible for the company’s comprehensive information security and data privacy posture, protecting our client’s brand, reputation, and customer trust in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
In this transformational role, you will report directly to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and serve as a key advisor to the executive leadership team and the Board of Directors. You will be tasked with developing and executing a forward-thinking security strategy that not only defends against current and emerging threats but also enables business innovation and digital transformation.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned security executive with a deep understanding of the retail sector’s unique challenges, including safeguarding vast amounts of customer data, securing complex supply chains, ensuring PCI-DSS compliance, and protecting e-commerce and point-of-sale (POS) systems. You will lead a talented, multi-disciplinary team of security professionals and foster a culture of security awareness and accountability across the entire enterprise. This is more than a technical role; it is a business-critical leadership position that demands strategic thinking, executive presence, and the ability to translate complex security concepts into tangible business risks and opportunities.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) with a Major Retailer – Bentonville, AR
The CISO will have a broad and impactful scope of responsibilities, encompassing all aspects of information security strategy, execution, and governance. Success in this role requires a hands-on yet strategic approach to the following key areas:
Strategic Leadership & Program Development
Define, implement, and maintain a strategic, long-term information security vision and roadmap. Develop and champion a comprehensive enterprise security program that aligns with business objectives and risk tolerance. Provide inspirational leadership, mentorship, and career development for a large, geographically dispersed security organization.
Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)
Establish and chair a formal security governance committee. Develop and maintain a robust risk management framework, conducting regular risk assessments of technology, processes, and vendors. Ensure adherence to all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards, including PCI-DSS, SOX, CCPA/CPRA, and GDPR. You will be expected to build a program consistent with industry best practices, such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework.
Security Operations & Incident Response
Oversee the 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC). Mature the organization’s capabilities in threat intelligence, threat hunting, monitoring, and incident response. Develop and test comprehensive incident response plans, leading the organization’s response to any security breaches or cyber crises with calm and effective leadership.
Security Architecture & Engineering
Partner with IT, digital, and product engineering teams to integrate security into all phases of the system development lifecycle (DevSecOps). Define and enforce secure architecture standards for all corporate and retail technology, including cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, GCP), on-premise data centers, networks, applications, and endpoints.
Data Privacy & Protection
Develop and oversee the company’s data protection strategy. Implement and manage technologies and processes for data classification, data loss prevention (DLP), and encryption to protect sensitive customer, employee, and corporate information.
Identity & Access Management (IAM)
Modernize and manage the enterprise IAM program, ensuring the principle of least privilege is enforced for all employees, contractors, and systems. Oversee privileged access management (PAM) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) strategies.
Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM)
Design and operate a comprehensive program to assess and manage the cybersecurity risk posed by the extensive network of suppliers, vendors, and business partners.
Budget & Vendor Management
Develop, manage, and forecast the multi-million dollar information security budget. Build strong strategic partnerships with key security vendors and service providers, ensuring the organization receives maximum value from its investments.
Executive & Board Communication
Translate complex security risks and metrics into clear, concise business-oriented language for the executive team and the Board of Directors. Provide regular, transparent reporting on the state of the security program and the overall cyber risk posture of the company.
Security Awareness & Culture
Champion a security-first mindset across the organization. Develop and implement an engaging and effective security awareness and training program to educate all employees on their role in protecting the company’s assets.
Requirements for the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) with a Major Retailer – Bentonville, AR
We are seeking a world-class security leader with a proven track record of success in large, complex enterprise environments. The ideal candidate will possess a unique blend of deep technical expertise, strong business acumen, and exceptional leadership skills.
Executive Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in information security, with at least 7 years in a senior leadership capacity (e.g., CISO, Deputy CISO, VP of Security) for a large, public company. Experience in the retail, e-commerce, or consumer goods industry is strongly preferred.
Educational Background
A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, Engineering, or a related field is required. A Master’s degree (MBA or MS in Information Security) is highly desirable.
Professional Certifications
Relevant professional certifications are highly valued. These include, but are not limited to, CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), CISM (Certified Information Security Manager), CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor), or CRISC (Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control).
Technical & Domain Expertise
Demonstrated expertise across a wide range of security disciplines, including network security, cloud security, application security, GRC, IAM, and security operations. Deep understanding of retail-specific technologies such as POS systems, e-commerce platforms, and supply chain management systems.
Regulatory Acumen
Extensive experience navigating complex regulatory landscapes, with specific, hands-on knowledge of PCI-DSS. Familiarity with privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA is essential.
Leadership & Communication
Proven ability to build, lead, and motivate a high-performing, globally distributed team. Exceptional communication, presentation, and influencing skills, with the ability to engage effectively with everyone from technical engineers to the Board of Directors.
Business Acumen
A strategic thinker who understands how to balance security requirements with business objectives. Experience managing large budgets, negotiating with vendors, and making risk-based decisions that support the company’s growth and profitability.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client offers a comprehensive and highly competitive executive compensation and benefits package designed to attract and retain top-tier talent. This includes:

Highly competitive base salary and annual performance-based bonus.
Significant long-term equity incentive plan (RSUs/Stock Options).
Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for you and your family.
A robust 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company match.
Full executive relocation package to beautiful Northwest Arkansas.
Generous paid time off (PTO), sick leave, and paid company holidays.
Substantial employee discount on company products and services.
Commitment to professional growth with a budget for conferences, training, and certifications.
The opportunity to make a lasting impact on a beloved global brand.

How to Apply
JRG Partners has been exclusively retained for this critical CISO search. We are seeking candidates who are ready to take on the challenge of protecting one of the world’s most prominent retail organizations. If you are a visionary security leader who meets the qualifications outlined above and is passionate about building world-class security programs, we encourage you to apply.
To express your interest, please submit your resume and a cover letter for confidential consideration. For more information about our expertise in placing top-tier technology executives, we invite you to visit our Technology Executive search practice area page. We look forward to reviewing your application. JRG Partners and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers.