Director of Information Security

Permanent Opportunity | Hybrid | Northern Italy

SixteenFifty is a specialist digital and technology talent consultancy representing a global manufacturing organisation undergoing a global digital and technology transformation.

Our client is seeking an experienced Director of Information Security to lead and mature its global cybersecurity function across a complex environment spanning enterprise technology, cloud platforms, connected products, and operational technology.

This is a senior leadership role responsible for defining the organisation's security strategy whilst driving the delivery of key security initiatives across both IT and OT environments. Working closely with technology and business leadership teams, the successful candidate will help ensure security enables innovation, operational performance, and digital growth whilst maintaining a strong focus on risk reduction and cyber resilience.

The role inherits an established global security team and will focus on taking the function to the next level of maturity through improved strategy, governance, stakeholder engagement, and execution.

This is a permanent opportunity operating within a hybrid model, with regular on-site presence required in Northern Italy. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to work closely with international teams and should be comfortable with occasional travel as part of a global leadership role.

The Director of Information Security will be responsible for:

• Defining and executing a global cybersecurity strategy aligned with business and technology priorities
• Leading security initiatives across cloud platforms, identity and access management, cyber resilience, data protection, and IT/OT security
• Supporting the secure adoption of digital platforms, connected technologies, and data-driven business capabilities
• Driving security improvements across both enterprise and operational technology environments
• Developing security roadmaps, investment priorities, and implementation plans
• Strengthening cyber resilience, incident preparedness, and recovery capabilities
• Working closely with technology, engineering, manufacturing, and business stakeholders to embed security into transformation initiatives
• Managing security risks across internal systems, connected assets, and third-party ecosystems
• Providing clear and pragmatic guidance to senior leadership on cyber risks, investment decisions, and security priorities
• Leading and developing a global security team whilst ensuring delivery of measurable business outcomes

The ideal candidate will have:

• Previous experience leading information security or cybersecurity functions within complex international organisations
• Strong understanding of both IT and OT security environments
• Experience supporting manufacturing, industrial, engineering, or highly operational businesses
• Exposure to cloud security, identity management, cyber resilience, and modern security architectures
• A track record of delivering security programmes and initiatives from strategy through to implementation
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence both technical and non-technical audiences
• Experience operating at senior leadership level and translating cyber risk into business decisions
• A pragmatic and delivery-focused approach, balancing risk management with business needs

If you are an experienced security leader looking to shape the next phase of a global organisation's security journey, we'd be delighted to hear from you.

The organisation is particularly interested in individuals who can combine strategic leadership with strong execution capabilities and experience operating across both IT and OT environments.