Head of Cybersecurity

Company Description

Speed. Scale. Simplification.

This is our philosophy. This is our momentum. This is your opportunity.

At APCOA, we are not just managing parking spaces – we’re pioneering the future of urban mobility and smart city solutions. With a presence in 12 countries, over 12,000 locations, and more than 50 years of operational leadership, we are Europe’s largest parking and mobility services provider.

And now, we’re entering a bold new chapter.

With the launch of our newly formed Group HQ in West London, we are transforming from a collection of high-performing local business units into a truly enterprise-led, future-fit organisation — one that retains its entrepreneurial spirit while unlocking the power of scale.

Job Description

We are seeking a forward-thinking Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) – Head of Cybersecurity to lead and evolve our enterprise-wide security strategy. Reporting to the Chief Information Digital Technology Officer (CIDTO), this role sits at the core of our transformation journey—balancing risk, innovation, and customer trust.

This is a rare opportunity for a cybersecurity leader with deep expertise, vision, and commercial acumen to make a significant impact on a pan-European scale. The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years’ experience in cybersecurity, with exposure to varied business models, including Private Equity-backed organizations.

Key Responsibilities

• Cybersecurity Leadership: Define, lead, and execute a comprehensive global cybersecurity strategy aligned with APCOA’s digital transformation and growth objectives.
• Data Protection & Compliance: Ensure protection of customer data, including PII and payment information (PCI-DSS), across all digital parking platforms and services.
• Risk Management: Develop a pragmatic enterprise risk framework to assess, mitigate, and report cyber risks across the business. Regularly brief senior leadership and boards.
• Innovation & Investment: Build strong business cases for cybersecurity investment and innovation, demonstrating measurable ROI and alignment with strategic goals.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee security operations, including threat intelligence, vulnerability management, incident response, and SOC capabilities.
• Transformation Driver: Act as a change leader to embed a strong security culture across APCOA, from engineering teams to frontline operations.
• Governance & Policy: Develop, implement, and maintain cybersecurity policies, standards, and controls in line with best-in-class frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001, GDPR).
• Cross-functional Leadership: Collaborate with IT, digital product teams, legal, compliance, operations, and customer service to integrate security seamlessly.
• Talent Development: Build and inspire a high-performing cybersecurity team, mentoring talent and fostering growth across levels.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive cybersecurity leadership experience with demonstrable impact in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Proven experience in payment security, customer data protection, and PCI-DSS within technology-enabled consumer or B2B services.
• Experience working in PE-backed or investment-focused organizations, with ability to drive security maturity in fast-evolving structures.
• Strong track record across diverse business models (e.g., infrastructure, digital platforms, mobility-as-a-service).
• Deep understanding of emerging threats, security architecture, and cloud-native environments.
• Experience leading security in regulated and high-volume transactional environments.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM, CISA, CCSP) and/or advanced degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Based in the UK, with the ability to travel within Europe as needed

Leadership Attributes

• Visionary & Strategic: Able to define and articulate the future of cybersecurity in a digitally enabled business.
• Business-Savvy: Commercially astute with the ability to translate technical risks into clear business language and priorities.
• Influential Communicator: Exceptional communicator who can inspire confidence and drive stakeholder buy-in from Board to front-line.
• Transformational Leader: Demonstrated ability to lead change, evolve legacy environments, and embed security-by-design practices.
• Collaborative & Empathetic: Builds strong relationships across the organization and leads with integrity and authenticity.

Additional Information

At APCOA, we see beyond the parking space. We see a world where mobility is intelligent, sustainable, and seamlessly integrated into daily life.

Our new Group HQ is more than a physical space — it’s the heartbeat of a new enterprise, where high-impact leaders shape the future.

If you’re ready to apply your expertise to meaningful challenges and help transform an industry --join APCOA Group HQ. Let’s build what’s next.

APCOA Group HQ is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.