Head of Cybersecurity - AI Security - Financial Services

You will define and lead the cybersecurity function from the ground up. The role combines hands on security architecture, AI and agent security, and governance across a portfolio entities. The operating model is lean and delivery is through AI agents, managed services and specialist vendors rather than a large internal team.

Client Details

A high profile financial services environment operating across multiple jurisdictions and business lines. The organisation has a strong focus on technology, data and AI, with security positioned as a core enabler of its operating model.

Description

• Define and execute the group cybersecurity strategy aligned to risk and regulatory requirements
• Design and implement security architecture across cloud, data, and SAAS/application environments
• Own the security of AI and agent based systems, including prompt injection, data exposure, and access controls
• Establish governance, standards, and oversight across portfolio companies
• Lead incident response and coordinate with managed security providers
• Manage third party and vendor security risk
• Act as the senior point of contact for executives, regulators, and auditors

Profile

• 12+ years in cybersecurity with hands on experience designing or implementing controls and not purely oversight
• Direct experience securing AI, LLM, or agent based systems, including risks such as prompt injection, data exfiltration, and agent permissioning
• Strong understanding of security architecture across cloud, SaaS, and data environments, including identity, secrets management, and incident response
• Experience working within regulated environments, with exposure to financial services regulatory expectations (for example CBUAE, ADGM, DFSA, FSRA) and interaction with regulators or auditors
• Proven ability to establish cybersecurity frameworks, policies, and governance models across complex or multi entity environments
• Experience managing or overseeing third party security, managed SOC providers, and vendor ecosystem.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, with the ability to act as a primary point of contact for executives, regulators, and board level discussions

Job Offer

• Opportunity to build a cybersecurity function
• Hands on role combining architecture, AI security, and governance
• High visibility with senior leadership across the organisation
  

Desired Skills and Experience

cybersecurity leadership, AI security, agent security, LLM security, prompt injection, data exfiltration, agent permissioning, security architecture, cloud security, SaaS security, identity and access management, secrets management, incident response, threat detection, managed SOC, cyber risk management, vulnerability management, red teaming, AI red teaming, governance frameworks, security policies, third party risk, vendor management, supply chain security, regulatory compliance, financial services regulation, CBUAE, ADGM, DFSA, FSRA, multi entity governance, holding company environment, multi jurisdiction, hands on security, greenfield build, cyber resilience, data protection