Director - Cybersecurity Practice Lead

Location: Mauritius (Hybrid or Remote)
Job Type: Full-time (Permanent or Contractor)
Remuneration: Base Salary + Commission & Profit Sharing Scheme
NOTE: Open ONLY to candidates residing in MAURITIUS. No relocation assistance.

About Us

Established in 2015, Shawne Applebee International (SAI) is a boutique consulting firm focused on Digital Security, Business Advisory, and Technology Solutions. SAI is dedicated to delivering exceptional client satisfaction through strategic consulting services to small and mid-sized companies. The company excels in empowering businesses with digital technology to drive operational efficiencies and innovation. We are seeking an experienced and motivated Consulting Director – Practice Lead Cybersecurity to build and grow our cybersecurity division for the Middle East & Africa region. This is a unique opportunity for a visionary leader to create a new business unit, shape its direction, and directly benefit from its success.

The Consulting Director – Practice Lead Cybersecurity will be responsible for the strategic development, operational management, and financial performance of our regional Cybersecurity practice. This role is a hybrid of a technical expert, a business development manager, and a team leader. The successful candidate will be a hands-on leader who can architect solutions, close deals, and build a high-performing team.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Business Development

• Develop and Execute Practice Strategy: Formulate and implement a comprehensive go-to-market strategy for the Cybersecurity practice, including service offerings, pricing models, and target markets.

• Drive Revenue Growth: Act as the primary sales driver, identifying, qualifying, and closing new business opportunities.

• Build and Nurture Client Relationships: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key clients, understanding their cybersecurity needs and positioning our services as a solution.

• Partner and Vendor Management: Establish and manage strategic relationships with key technology partners and vendors to enhance our service delivery capabilities.

• Market Analysis: Conduct continuous market research to stay ahead of industry trends, emerging threats, and competitor offerings to ensure our services remain relevant and competitive.

• Thought Leadership: Represent Shawne Applebee as a subject matter expert at industry events, conferences, and webinars, building brand recognition and credibility.

Practice Management & Service Delivery

• Service Portfolio Development: Define, develop, and refine a robust portfolio of cybersecurity services, including:

• Risk & Compliance: Security audits, risk assessments, and compliance consulting (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS).

• Offensive Security: Penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and red team exercises.

• Managed Services: Managed Detection and Response (MDR), Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), and endpoint protection.

• Incident Response: Incident handling, digital forensics, and post-breach analysis.

• Training: Security awareness programs and specialized technical training for client teams.

• Technical Oversight: Provide hands-on technical guidance and architectural oversight for complex projects, ensuring successful and high-quality delivery.

• Methodology Development: Create and standardize repeatable methodologies, processes, and documentation for service delivery to ensure consistency and excellence across all engagements.

• Quality Assurance: Oversee project delivery, ensuring all projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards, exceeding client expectations.

Team Building & Mentorship

• Recruitment and Hiring: Lead the recruitment, interviewing, and hiring of a talented team of cybersecurity professionals, from junior analysts to senior consultants.

• Mentorship and Coaching: Mentor and coach team members, providing technical guidance, professional development plans, and performance feedback to foster a culture of continuous learning.

• Performance Management: Establish performance metrics and goals for the team, conducting regular reviews to ensure alignment with practice objectives.

• Knowledge Sharing: Foster an environment of knowledge sharing and collaboration, encouraging the team to stay updated on the latest security trends and contribute to internal knowledge bases.

Compensation & Incentives

This role offers a unique and highly rewarding compensation structure designed to align your success with the success of the practice.

• Competitive Base Salary: A stable and competitive base salary that reflects your experience and market value.

• Commission Scheme: A tiered commission structure based on the gross margin of all services and projects personally closed by you or the practice as a whole.

• Profit Sharing: You will be eligible for a share of the practice's annual net profits. This profit-sharing pool will be calculated based on the overall financial performance of the business unit, directly tying your long-term earnings to the sustained success of the practice you build.

Qualifications

• Masters degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.

• 7 – 10 years of progressive experience in cybersecurity, with at least 4 – 5 years in a leadership or management role.

• Proven track record of building and growing a professional services practice or business unit.

• Deep expertise in a broad range of cybersecurity domains (e.g., network security, application security, cloud security, compliance).

• Relevant industry certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM, OSCP, CEH, CISA).

• Exceptional business acumen with a demonstrated ability to identify and close sales opportunities.

• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work independently, make critical decisions, and thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

How to Apply:

If you are a motivated and experienced cybersecurity leader ready to take on the challenge of building a new practice and directly benefiting from its success, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are the ideal candidate for this role. Feel free to reach out to our recruitment team if you have any questions: teamsai@shawneapplebee.com

Shawne Applebee is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.