Director of Cybersecurity Operations & Services

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Closing Date:

04/24/2025

Type of Position:

Professional Staff - Information Technology

Workstudy Position:

No

Job Type:

Regular

Work Shift:

Sponsorship Available:

No

Institution Name:

Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network (ARE-ON)

Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation’s top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance Arkansas and build a better world through education, research and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, promoting an inclusive and diverse culture and climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery and the spread of new ideas and innovations.

The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation’s strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions, you should review before applying for the opening.

If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process, please submit a request via the Disability Accommodations | OEOC | University of Arkansas (uark.edu) : Request an Accommodation. Appli­cants are required to submit a request for each position of which they have applied.

For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at 479.575.5351.

Department:

Network and Technical Support

Department's Website:

www.areon.net

Summary of Job Duties:

The Director of Cybersecurity Operations & Advisory Services at the Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network (ARE-ON) serves in a dynamic dual role that balances internal security operations with external advisory services for higher education and healthcare member organizations across Arkansas. This position is responsible for safeguarding the Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network's infrastructure while also functioning as a trusted security advisor to member institutions. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership experience, technical expertise in network security, and exceptional communication skills to facilitate information sharing and build collaborative relationships.

This hybrid position (for Arkansas residents) offers a competitive salary range of $125,000 to $145,000 based on qualifications and experience. The successful candidate will report to the Chief Technology Officer and lead both internal security initiatives—including policy development, vulnerability management, and incident response—and external advisory services such as providing guidance on security best practices, developing educational resources, and facilitating threat intelligence sharing across the membership community. This role represents a unique opportunity to shape cybersecurity strategy for an organization serving Arkansas' higher education and healthcare sectors.

Work Conditions
Occasional in-state and inter-state travel will be required for campus meetings, project execution, team meetings, and conference attendance.

Remote work for this position is allowed under the University of Arkansas Fayetteville Policies and Procedures 412.3. The employee must be a resident of Arkansas but does not have to work out of the Fayetteville ARE-ON offices or reside in the Northwest Arkansas area.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.


About ARE-ON

Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network (ARE-ON) provides and supports Wide Area Network (WAN) and internet delivery, along with select networking services for 43 institutions of higher education and healthcare delivery in Arkansas, including managed WAN router service, and project consulting. ARE-ON technology professionals are directly responsible for supporting technology services that drive the healthcare, research, and education missions of some of the largest public organizations in the state.

ARE-ON employees are eligible for University of Arkansas, Fayetteville benefits, including 10% 403b match, and tuition discounts for self, spouse and dependents. As a technology service organization in Arkansas, ARE-ON is passionate about providing our members with technical expertise, cost-effective network services, and personal connections with a high level of customer service. We create a collaborative community for local anchor institutions to leverage technology resources and knowledge to achieve their goals.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field from an accredited institution of higher education

• At least seven plus years of experience in information security or cybersecurity roles

• At least three plus years of experience in a security leadership position

• Current industry certifications (CISSP, CISM, or equivalent)

• Demonstrated knowledge of network security architecture and operations

• Experience with security frameworks (NIST CSF, ISO 27001, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, or related field from an accredited institution of higher education

• At least five plus years of experience in a security leadership position

• At least ten plus years of experience in cybersecurity with escalating responsibilities

• Experience in a Research and Education Network (REN) environment or experience serving the public sector, especially higher education

• Experience with SOC operations and management

• Security advisory or consulting experience

• Experience developing and implementing cybersecurity policies

• Demonstrated knowledge of compliance requirements relevant to higher education and healthcare

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSAs):

• Deep understanding of cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigation strategies

• Strong knowledge of network security protocols and technologies

• Excellent communication skills with ability to translate complex security concepts to various audiences

• Analytical problem-solving approach to security challenges

• Strategic thinking with operational execution capabilities

• Strong project management and organizational skills

• Collaborative leadership style with ability to influence without direct authority

• Ability to build relationships with member organizations and external partners

Additional Information:

Salary Information:

$125,000 - $145,000

Required Documents to Apply:

Cover Letter/Letter of Application, Resume

Optional Documents:

Proof of Veteran Status

Recruitment Contact Information:

Elon Turner, Executive Director ARE-ON, elon@areon.net

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS  

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

Criminal Background Check, Motor Vehicle Reports Check, Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds inclusion, opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual preference, or pregnancy. Federal law prohibits the University from discriminating on these bases. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University's Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:

Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding

Frequent Physical Activity:

Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding

Occasional Physical Activity:

N/A

Benefits Eligible:

Yes