VP Cyber Defence & Strategic Operations

This role is base in our Howick Place London office.

The Information Security (InfoSec) team at Informa is dedicated to protecting the organisations information assets and ensuring the confidentiality integrity and availability of data. The team is responsible for implementing and maintaining robust security measures policies and procedures to safeguard against cyber threats and vulnerabilities. The InfoSec team works collaboratively with various departments across the organisation to embed security practices and awareness ensuring that security is an integral part of Informas business operations.

As a key member of Informas Information Security leadership team you will be responsible for driving the strategic direction and operational excellence of the companys cyber defence capabilities. This role leads the global Security Operations Centre (SOC) ensuring robust threat detection incident response and continuous monitoring to protect Informas digital assets and operations.

As the VP you will also play a pivotal role in supporting mergers and acquisitions (M&A) from a cybersecurity perspectiveleading due diligence identifying integration risks and ensuring secure onboarding of acquired entities.

Additionally in this role you will provide executive oversight to the Head of Information Security - APAC aligning regional initiatives with global security standards while addressing local regulatory and threat landscapes.

Key Areas of Responsibility/Accountability

• Security Operations Centre (SOC):
• Leadership and Management: Oversee the daily operations of Informas SOC ensuring the effective monitoring detection and response to security incidents. Lead a team of security analysts and engineers providing guidance mentorship and performance management.
• Incident Response: Develop and implement incident response protocols and procedures to ensure timely and effective handling of security incidents. Coordinate with other departments and external partners to manage and mitigate security threats.
• Threat Intelligence: Utilise threat intelligence to proactively identify and address potential security risks. Stay updated on the latest cybersecurity trends and threats to ensure Informas SOC remains at the forefront of security operations.
• Security Technologies: Implement and maintain security technologies and processes to protect Informas digital assets. Evaluate and recommend new security tools and technologies to enhance SOC capabilities.
• Compliance and Reporting: Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards. Prepare and present regular reports on SOC activities incident trends and overall security posture to senior management.
• Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A): Manage the information security aspects of M&A activities including due diligence risk assessment and integration planning. Ensure that security considerations are integrated into the M&A process to protect Informas interests.
• APAC Information Security: Provide oversight and support to the Head of Information Security - APAC ensuring alignment with Informas global security strategy. Coordinate regional security initiatives and ensure compliance with local regulations and standards.

Key Outputs and Outcomes

• Security Operations Centre (SOC):
• Strengthen business engagement and InfoSec value through proactive threat intelligence and incident response.
• Improve decision-making efficiency and outcomes by providing timely and accurate security reports.
• Enhance reporting cycles and quality to ensure senior management is well-informed about security posture.
• Work closely with the Director of Information Security Portfolio & Programmes and lead the delivery of SOC projects with excellence ensuring effective monitoring and response to security incidents.
• Optimise resource allocation and demand management within the SOC to maintain high operational efficiency.
• Drive data-driven decision-making through metrics reporting on SOC activities.
• Ensure successful realisation of the InfoSec vision by maintaining a robust and effective SOC.

• Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A):
• Strengthen business engagement by embedding cybersecurity risk management into all phases of M&A activity from due diligence through to post-acquisition oversight.
• Support informed decision-making by delivering clear timely and actionable risk assessments tailored to the business context of each transaction.
• Enhance reporting quality and cadence to ensure stakeholders are fully informed of cyber risks and mitigation strategies throughout the M&A lifecycle.
• Lead the delivery of M&A-related security initiatives ensuring appropriate controls are implementedwhether through full integration or ongoing operational oversight.
• Optimise resource planning and prioritisation to support efficient execution of M&A security activities across multiple concurrent deals.
• Drive data-informed decision-making through consistent metrics and insights on M&A-related cyber risk posture.
• Safeguard Informas strategic and commercial interests by ensuring cyber risks are effectively managed in alignment with the companys risk appetite and business objectives.

• APAC Information Security:
• Strategic Oversight of APAC Regional Security: Provide executive leadership and direction to the APAC Regional Information Security Office ensuring alignment with Informas global cybersecurity strategy and risk management framework.
• Risk-Driven Regional Enablement: Ensure that regional security initiatives are prioritised and executed based on business risk regulatory requirements and local threat landscapes while maintaining consistency with global standards.
• Regulatory and Compliance Assurance: Support the Head of InfoSec APAC in engaging with local regulatory bodies and ensuring compliance with regional cybersecurity laws including Chinas PIPL and MLPS and other jurisdictional requirements.
• Incident Response Readiness: Oversee the development and execution of regional incident response capabilities ensuring timely escalation coordination and resolution of security incidents in APAC.
• Performance Monitoring and Reporting: Establish and maintain clear reporting mechanisms to track the effectiveness of regional security controls risk mitigation efforts and compliance posture.
• Regional Integration into Global Programs: Ensure APAC participation in global security initiatives including awareness campaigns vulnerability management and secure development practices fostering a unified security culture.
• Capability Development and Support: Mentor and support the Head of InfoSec APAC fostering leadership development and ensuring the regional team has the resources guidance and visibility needed to succeed.

Measures of Success

• Introduce and manager key metrics for the function
• Reduction in mean time to detect (MTTD) and mean time to respond (MTTR) to security incidents.
• Effective identification and management of cybersecurity risks associated with M&A activity from due diligence through to integration or ongoing operational oversight aligned with the business strategy and risk appetite.
• Compliance with APAC regional and global cybersecurity regulations and standards.
• Positive audit outcomes and risk posture improvements.
• High engagement and performance scores from direct reports and regional teams.
• Effective cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder satisfaction.

Qualifications :

What were looking for

Experience

• Extensive experience in cybersecurity
• Proven experience managing a global or regional SOC.
• Demonstrated success in leading cybersecurity aspects of M&A activities.
• Experience working in a complex matrixed and multinational organization.
• Familiarity with regulatory environments across Asia and global security frameworks (e.g. NIST ISO 27001 MITRE ATT&CK).
• Extensive experience in cybersecurity planning and delivery.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage complex security operations across multiple regions.
• Superior analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to influence corporate opinion and key stakeholders.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic thinking with the ability to translate vision into execution.
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Deep understanding of threat landscapes security technologies and incident response.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a dynamic fast-paced environment.
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity especially in working with diverse regional tea

Additional Information :

We believe that great things happen when people connect face-to-face. Thats why we work in-person with each other or with customers and partners three days a week or more. When youre not spending time together in one of our offices or other workplaces like at an Informa event you get the flexibility and support to work from home or remotely.

Employee experience is very important to us at Informa. On top of joining a supportive diverse and ambitious team that welcomes all types of candidates. We are also flexible with different working patterns and prioritize promotions internally. Our benefits include:

• Great community: a welcoming culture with in-person and online social events our fantastic Walk the World charity day and active diversity and inclusion networks
• Broader impact: take up to four days per year to volunteer with charity match funding available too
• Career opportunity: the opportunity to develop your career with bespoke training and learning mentoring platforms and on-demand access to thousands of courses on LinkedIn Learning. When its time for the next step we encourage and support internal job moves
• Time out: 25 days annual leave rising to 27 days after two years plus a birthday leave day and the chance to work from (almost!) anywhere for up to four weeks a year
• A flexible range of personal benefits to choose from plus company funded private medical cover
• A ShareMatch scheme that allows you to become an Informa shareholder with free matching shares
• Strong wellbeing support through EAP assistance mental health first aiders a healthy living subsidy access to health apps and more
• Recognition for great work with global awards and kudos programmes
• As an international company the chance to collaborate with teams around the world

We know that sometimes the perfect candidate doesnt exist and that people can be put off applying for a job if they dont fit all the requirements. If youre excited about working for us and have most of the skills or experience were looking for please go ahead and apply. You could be just what we need! We believe strongly in the value of diversity and creating supportive inclusive environments where our colleagues can succeed.  As such Informa is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race color ancestry national origin religion or religious creed mental or physical disability medical condition genetic information sex (including pregnancy childbirth and related medical conditions) sexual orientation gender identity gender expression age marital status military or veteran status citizenship or other protected characteristics under federal state or local law.

If you would like to request reasonable adjustments or accommodations to assist your participation in the hiring process and or in the advertised position please inform the appropriate Talent Acquisition Partner for the role once they have been in touch. 

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Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time