Executive Manager - Squad Cyber Technical Lead

Executive Manager - Squad Cyber Technical Lead

Location: Abu Dhabi - Onsite

Contract: initial 6 months extendable contract

Availability: Immediate Start Preferred

International candidates are welcome to apply, with preference given to candidates who are currently based in the UAE. Visa sponsorship will be provided for successful candidates; however, relocation expenses, including flights and accommodation, will not be covered.

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Executive Manager - Squad Cyber Technical Lead to lead a cybersecurity engineering squad responsible for delivering critical security capabilities across Application Security, AI Governance, Continuous Security Validation, and Compliance Assurance within a highly regulated banking environment.

This role will serve as the primary First Line of Defense (1LoD) cybersecurity leader, partnering closely with Second Line of Defense (2LoD) stakeholders and the AI Centre of Excellence to ensure security controls are effectively implemented, monitored, and evidenced. The successful candidate will combine strong technical leadership with expertise in DevSecOps, cloud security, AI/LLM security, governance, and regulatory compliance.

The role requires ownership of the cybersecurity tooling ecosystem, delivery governance, security metrics, and regulatory readiness, ensuring adherence to approved policies, service levels, and audit requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Cybersecurity Delivery Leadership

• Lead and oversee delivery of four key security workstreams:
• Application Security (AppSec)
• AI Governance
• Continuous Security Validation
• Compliance Trail
• Ensure all activities align with approved cybersecurity policies, controls, and service-level commitments.
• Drive inspection and audit readiness across cybersecurity programs.

DevSecOps & Security Engineering

• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of DevSecOps practices across software delivery pipelines.
• Ensure security controls are embedded throughout the software development lifecycle.
• Establish security governance and engineering standards across development teams.

Security Tooling Ownership

• Own the end-to-end cybersecurity tooling strategy and integration architecture.
• Manage and optimize enterprise security platforms including:
• SonarQube
• Snyk
• ServiceNow IRM
• Microsoft Defender for Cloud
• AWS Security Hub
• OPA (Open Policy Agent)
• DefectDojo
• Claude
• Codex
• Security Agent solutions
• Drive vendor consolidation and tooling rationalization initiatives.
• Oversee the security evidence chain and reporting framework from findings management through executive reporting.

Governance & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary 1LoD counterpart for Risk, Compliance, and Security Governance stakeholders.
• Partner with 2LoD teams on policy implementation, assurance activities, and control effectiveness reviews.
• Chair Security Champions Guild meetings and facilitate security awareness across engineering functions.
• Resolve and prioritize cross-workstream security initiatives and dependencies.
• Present monthly DevSecOps Governance and Security Performance dashboards to senior leadership and governance committees.

Cloud Security & AI Security

• Provide technical leadership across Azure and AWS security programs.
• Drive implementation of cloud security controls, governance frameworks, and risk management practices.
• Lead AI and LLM security initiatives, including governance, risk assessment, control implementation, and monitoring.
• Support secure adoption of emerging AI technologies in line with enterprise and regulatory requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 12 years of cybersecurity engineering experience.
• Proven leadership experience managing security engineering, DevSecOps, or enterprise cybersecurity teams.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of:
• DevSecOps
• Application Security
• Cloud Security (Azure and AWS)
• AI/LLM Security
• Security Governance and Compliance
• Cybersecurity Engineering
• Experience operating within a Three Lines of Defense (3LoD) framework.
• Demonstrated experience implementing security controls within 1LoD while partnering effectively with 2LoD stakeholders.
• Strong stakeholder management and executive communication skills.
• Experience leading enterprise-scale security transformation or engineering initiatives.

Regulatory & Industry Experience

• Mandatory experience within:
• Banking
• Financial Services
• Highly Regulated Industries
• Demonstrated experience delivering cybersecurity programs aligned to:
• CBUAE Cybersecurity Requirements
• CBUAE Enabling Technologies Guidelines
• CBUAE AI/ML Guidance
• NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF)
• ISO/IEC 42001
• Experience supporting regulatory audits, inspections, assurance reviews, and compliance initiatives.

Certifications

• CISSP (mandatory) · CCSP or AWS Certified Security – Specialty or Azure Security Engineer Associate · CISM or ISO/IEC 42001 Lead Implementer · Certified DevSecOps Professional (CDP) or equivalent. Desirable: SABSA, GIAC GCSA.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Strategic cybersecurity leader with deep technical credibility.
• Strong background in DevSecOps, cloud security, and AI security.
• Experienced managing multiple cybersecurity workstreams and large stakeholder groups.
• Comfortable operating within highly regulated banking environments.
• Able to bridge security engineering, governance, compliance, and business priorities.
• Proven ability to engage with senior executives, risk functions, audit teams, and regulatory stakeholders while driving measurable security outcomes.