Director, IT Security

Director, IT Security

Department: Information Technology

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Itasca, IL

Reporting To: Deepak Kaul

Description

We are a multinational manufacturing company with a global footprint, specializing in high-quality industrial products. Our operations rely on significant Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) assets, critical to our production, supply chain, and business processes. We are seeking an experienced IT Security Director to lead our cybersecurity efforts and safeguard our digital and operational infrastructure. Reporting directly to the CIO, this position  will lead a team of security professionals, manage risk, ensure compliance with global regulations, and drive initiatives to secure our manufacturing operations, intellectual property, and sensitive data. The ideal candidate is a strategic leader with deep expertise in IT and OT security, a proactive approach to emerging threats, and the ability to align security objectives with business goals.

Key Responsibilities

Cybersecurity Strategy & Leadership:

•  Develop and execute a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy for IT and OT systems, aligned with business objectives.
• Lead the security team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
•  Align the security strategy with business objectives and ensure security policies, standards, and practices are embedded across the organization. 
• Provide guidance and leadership on security best practices to senior management and the Board of Directors.
• Advise the CIO and senior leadership on security risks, trends, and mitigation strategies.
• Manage the cybersecurity budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.

 Risk Management & Compliance:

•  Ensure compliance with global regulations (e.g., GDPR, NIST, ISO 27001, CMMC) and industry standards.
• Oversee the development and enforcement of security policies, procedures, and controls.
•  Lead the identification, assessment, and prioritization of security risks; recommend appropriate risk mitigation strategies. 
• Manage third-party risks and ensure secure relationships with vendors and partners across the company’s entire vendor base and supply chain. 
• Ensure that emerging cyber requirements including data sovereignty and residency are tracked in all countries in which the company operates and implement approaches that meet the requirements and business needs. 
• Establish and enforce security policies, procedures, and governance frameworks that meet corporate and regulatory requirements. 

 IT & OT Security Operations: 

• Protect IT assets (e.g., corporate networks, cloud systems, endpoints) and OT assets (e.g., SCADA, PLCs, IoT devices) from cyber threats. 
• Implement and manage security tools, including firewalls, IDS/IPS, SIEM, and endpoint protection.
• Oversee incident response, including detection, containment, and recovery from security breaches.
• Oversee security operations, including monitoring, detection, and response to security threats and vulnerabilities. 
• Specify, design, implement, and manage appropriate security technologies. 
• Manage the company’s Security Operations Center (SOC). 

 Threat Intelligence & Incident Management:

•  Monitor emerging cyber threats and vulnerabilities specific to manufacturing and OT environments.
•  Lead investigations and post-incident reviews to strengthen defenses.
•  Coordinate with external partners (e.g., MSSPs, law enforcement) during major incidents.
•  Develop and maintain the organization’s incident response and disaster recovery plans.
•  Lead the response to security incidents and breaches, ensuring the protection of critical systems and sensitive data. 
• Manage the Cyber Incident Response team. 

 Cross-Functional Collaboration:

•  Partner with IT, OT, and manufacturing teams to integrate security into system design and operations.
•  Collaborate with legal, HR, and compliance teams to address data privacy and regulatory requirements.
•  Collaborate with third-party vendors to ensure secure supply chain and contractor practice

Training & Awareness:

•  Develop and deliver cybersecurity training programs for employees and contractors.
•  Promote a security-conscious culture across the organization.
•  Develop and oversee security training programs to raise awareness among employees.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field.
•  Relevant cybersecurity certifications. 

Experience:

•  15+ years of experience in cybersecurity, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
•  Proven experience securing both IT and OT environments in a manufacturing or industrial setting.
•  Track record of developing and implementing enterprise-wide security strategies.
• Experience in a multinational, manufacturing company operating in regulated industries.
• Proven track record in implementing and managing information security programs at a senior level. 

Technical Skills:

•  Deep knowledge of IT security technologies (e.g., firewalls, SIEM, EDR, IAM).
•  Familiarity with OT security protocols and systems (e.g., SCADA, DCS, IEC 62443).
•  Experience with cloud security (e.g., AWS, Azure). 
• Strong knowledge of security frameworks such as NIST, CMMC and ISO 27001. 
• Understanding of regulatory compliance requirements (e.g., CMMC, ITAR). 
• Experience with security architecture, risk management, vulnerability management, and incident response. 
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to influence and work with executive teams and key stakeholders. 
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with a focus on cybersecurity trends and risk management.

 Certifications (preferred):

•  CISSP, CISM, CISA, CRISC, or equivalent

Soft Skills:

•  Strong leadership and team-building capabilities.
•  Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
•  Strategic thinker with a proactive, problem-solving mindset.

Other Requirements:

•  Ability to travel internationally as needed.
•  Experience working in a multinational environment is a plus.
•  Only US Citizens or Permanent Residents need to apply.

EEO-M/F/D/V 

Pay Parency and Benefits

Pay RangeAt Knowles, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage, and retain top talent. The salary range for this position is $200,000.00/yr - $230,000.00/yr. This is a good faith estimate on the applicable range and serves as a general guideline. We recognize that candidates will come to us with different sets of skills and experiences. Therefore, the offer will be determined more or less than the anticipated range after considering various factors, including but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s experience, education, skills and abilities as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. Certain roles may be eligible for other compensation and benefits programs.  Benefits and other Compensation Programs At Knowles, we strive to deliver a market competitive compensation and benefits programs that will attract, engage and retain the top talent. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. The specific programs and options available to any given employees may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, candidate experience and qualifications as well as market and business considerations. We also provide eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance and wellbeing benefits, among others.  Below is a summary of common benefits that Knowles provides to employees (eligibility requirements apply):

• Medical, dental and vision
• Health Savings Account (HSA) / Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401K plan with a company match - 100% match on the first 5% you contribute
• Short- and Long-term disability coverage
• Life Insurance and AD&D - 100% paid by employer
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)