Head of International IS Privacy Research and Innovation

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Oversee timely execution and completion of information security risk assessments of international locations.
Ensure development, review and update of Information Security Policies, Procedures and Standards of HBL international locations.
Ensure seamless coordination with internal and external auditors
Oversee data / information classification activities of HBL international locations.
Oversee vulnerability assessment and penetration testing activities of HBL international locations.
Review global regulatory requirements related to Information Security / Cybersecurity.
Assist CISO in managing Information Security of HBL international locations.
Ensure that related audit findings of international locations are timely closed.
Ensure that the budget is allocated for the projects initiated by HOK ISD for international locations.
Maintain the country profile including the IT footprint, risk exposure, and mitigating controls of international locations.
Coordinate with respective technical teams in the successful implementation of security projects for international locations.
Define the Bank’s privacy framework, policies, and control standards (ISO 27001/27701) in line with the applicable laws and regulations.
Establish an international operating model (charters, RACI, SLAs) covering SOC, IR, AppSec, CloudSec, Data Protection, and Third‑Party risk management.
Oversee DPIAs, TIAs, Records of Processing, and cross‑border transfer mechanisms (e.g., SCCs, intra‑group agreements, localization exceptions).
Coordinate with regional DPOs/Privacy Officers; ensure breach notification processes meet each regulator’s timelines.
Curate a global R&I agenda (regional fraud patterns, localized threats, AI/LLM security, API/Open Banking differences, cloud-native operations) and share reusable controls across countries.
Run cross‑region PoCs and disseminate best practices via a global center of excellence
Lead responses to regulatory inspections, supervisory letters, and external/internal audits across regions.
Track and drive closure of findings; maintain evidence repositories and dashboards.
Enforce Third‑Party Risk Management and Cloud/Outsourcing governance per host‑country requirements (due diligence, contracts, ongoing monitoring, exit).
Ensure data residency and localization constraints are engineered into architectures
Advance the current state-of-the-art in cybersecurity-related topics.
Analyze and assess cybersecurity technologies, solutions, developments and processes.
Assist in cybersecurity-related capacity building including awareness, theoretical training, practical training, testing, mentoring, supervising and sharing.
Lead the development of innovative cybersecurity-related solutions.
Conduct experiments and develop proof of concept, pilots and prototypes for cybersecurity solutions.
Conduct research, innovation and development work in cybersecurity-related topics.
Contributes towards cutting-edge cybersecurity business ideas, services and solutions.
Identify cross-sectoral cybersecurity achievements and apply them in a different context or propose innovative approaches and solutions.
Lead or participate in innovation processes and projects including project management and budgeting.
Manifest and generate research and innovation ideas.
Publish and present scientific works and research and development results.
Select and apply frameworks, methods, standards, tools and protocols including a building and testing a proof of concept to support projects.
People Management
Lead multi‑country teams; manage time zone‑aware operations and crisis management.
Drive security and privacy awareness and training tailored to local regulatory expectations and languages.

Minimum qualifications:

Bachelors in CS/IT/InfoSec/Legal (Privacy/Law); Master’s in Cybersecurity, Information Assurance, or Privacy/Law preferred
Preferably at least one of the following professional certifications:
- CISSP
- CISM

Minimum experience:

Minimum 15 years of experience; 8-10 years in international information security and privacy with 5 years in senior leadership.
Proven track record with GDPR and multi‑jurisdiction regulators in banking