About The Role
The Cyber Security Lead is a senior, permanent role responsible for protecting Kinisla's digital estate during its transition to a standalone organization and throughout its ongoing operations. In the immediate term, the role plays a pivotal part in ensuring that cyber security is designed and embedded into all infrastructure, application, and data migrations as Kinisla separates from Kinisla Group.
Beyond the programme, the Cyber Security Lead will own and evolve Kinisla's cyber security strategy, standards, and risk posture, providing sustained assurance that the organisation's systems, data, and operations remain secure, resilient, and compliant. The role acts as the single accountable authority for cyber security across Kinisla, enabling the business to grow, innovate, and operate with confidence in an increasingly complex threat landscape.
Reporting Line & Role Context
Reports to: ICT Director
Role type: Permanent senior leadership role (Hybrid – 3 days per week in Tralee office)
Acts as the senior cyber security authority for Kinisla, with accountability spanning both transformation and steady‑state operations
What will I be doing?
Act as the single accountable authority for cyber security across Kinisla, owning cyber risk decisions during transformation and in steady‑state operations
Embed security by design into infrastructure, application, data, and integration architectures to ensure security is built in from inception and sustained long‑term
Define, own, and enforce enterprise‑wide cyber security standards for identity, access, data protection, network, and cloud security across all vendors and internal teams
Provide risk‑based security leadership to enable delivery, innovation, and growth while protecting the organisation from cyber, regulatory, and operational risk
Establish and maintain Kinisla's cyber security strategy, governance, and operating model, ensuring consistent controls and eliminating fragmented or ad‑hoc security practices
Oversee cyber risk management and incident preparedness, ensuring the organisation can effectively detect, respond to, and recover from security threats
Ensure ongoing compliance, audit readiness, and regulatory alignment, reducing exposure to costly incidents, remediation, or reputational damage
Drive a strong security culture across Kinisla, embedding cyber awareness into everyday decision‑making and operations
Decision Authority
Authority to define and enforce cyber security standards across Kinisla
Authority to approve, challenge, or block technology solutions based on cyber risk
Authority to elevate unresolved cyber risks to senior leadership where required
Key Responsibilities
Own Kinisla's cyber security strategy, standards, and risk posture across both transformation and day‑to‑day operations
Ensure security‑by‑design across all cloud, infrastructure, application, and data platforms
Provide senior cyber security leadership to programmes, vendors, and internal teams, enabling secure delivery and business growth
Lead cyber risk management, incident readiness, and regulatory compliance, ensuring resilience and audit readiness
Champion a strong security culture, embedding cyber awareness into everyday decision‑making
Key Interfaces
ICT leadership and delivery teams
Business application and platform owners
External vendors and managed service providers
Audit, risk, and compliance stakeholders
What do I need to be successful?
Senior experience in cyber security leadership roles within complex or multi‑vendor technology environments
Strong understanding of cloud platforms, identity and access management, applications, data, and network security
Proven ability to embed security‑by‑design into large‑scale technology change and transformation initiatives
Experience managing cyber risk, incident preparedness, and regulatory compliance in operational environments
Comfortable operating in regulated or audited environments, including data protection obligations
Leadership & Professional Competencies
Pragmatic, risk‑based decision maker able to balance security, delivery pace, and business needs
Confident engaging with and challenging senior stakeholders, vendors, and delivery teams
Strong communicator, able to translate cyber risk into clear business impact and decisions
Effective in small, fast‑moving organisations with evolving structures and priorities
High standards of integrity, accountability, and ownership
Qualifications
Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Cyber Security, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience)
Relevant professional certifications desirable but not mandatory (e.g. CISSP, CISM, CCSP)
What will I get in return?
25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays)
Hybrid working
Health Care
Matched pension scheme
Benefits platform offering discounts and cashback on major retailers
About Kinisla
Kinisla is a vertically integrated farm‑to‑fork business with a substantial consumer foods presence and a leading nutritional and dairy ingredients division. With over 50 years of experience in milk processing, dairy and nutritional technology advancement, and product innovation, Kinisla delivers high‑quality dairy solutions focused on sustainability and innovation.
Professional Commitment
We are committed to and value diversity and inclusion in all recruitment processes within Kinisla and do not discriminate based on gender, race, class, economic status, ethnic background, sexual orientation, age, political beliefs, veteran status, marital status or any other protected characteristic.
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