Cyber Security Lead

About the role

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 organisation 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 KinislaI'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 escalate 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? At Kinisla, we believe in giving talented, curious people the opportunity to make a difference. We work as a team, searching for the best ways to inspire food and nourish life. We are a community of innovators, working across disciplines to solve global food challenge