Global Information Security Operations Lead

Global Information Security Operations Lead

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Location: Global (US, UK, India)

The Information Security Operations Lead plays a critical role in protecting Astellas’ global technology landscape. This leader is responsible for driving 24x7 operational excellence across security monitoring, incident response, vulnerability management, and attack surface reduction. The role reports to the Global Head of Information Security and Global Infrastructure and ensures global consistency in detecting, analyzing, and mitigating threats across enterprise, cloud, and hybrid environments.

The leader oversees a diverse, global team of internal employees, contractors, and managed service partners, ensuring seamless integration of capabilities, tools, and processes to safeguard Astellas’ digital ecosystem.

• Lead the global Security Operations function (SOC), ensuring continuous monitoring, detection, and response to cyber threats.
• Oversee incident response activities, including triage, containment, recovery, and post-incident reviews.
• Manage enterprise security domains such as endpoint protection, email security, vulnerability management, and attack surface management.
• Conduct regular red, blue, and purple team exercises to validate and improve resilience.
• Maintain strong situational awareness of emerging threats and vulnerabilities relevant to the pharma sector.

• Lead a hybrid global team of full-time employees, contractors, and managed services, ensuring clear roles, accountability, and alignment.
• Oversee managed SOC and incident response service providers, ensuring high-quality performance and continuous improvement.
• Mentor and develop internal team members, fostering a culture of collaboration, learning, and operational discipline.
• Optimize team capacity, skills, and resource allocation to balance in-house and outsourced capabilities.

• Oversee key security technologies, including SIEM, SOAR, EDR, and threat-intelligence platforms.
• Drive automation and orchestration to reduce mean time to detect (MTTD) and mean time to respond (MTTR).
• Partner with Global Infrastructure, Cloud, and Digital teams to embed security into core operations and transformation programs (e.g., Zero Trust, SD-WAN, AI-driven operations).
• Define and monitor operational KPIs and dashboards to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of global security operations.

• Align operations with Astellas’ enterprise security framework, NIST CSF, ISO 27001, and internal risk management policies.
• Maintain and continuously improve operational playbooks, response procedures, and escalation paths.
• Support global audits (SOX, J-SOX, internal, and external) and ensure timely remediation of findings.
• Contribute to continuous control improvement and risk reduction initiatives across the enterprise.

• 10+ years of information security experience, including 5+ years in leadership roles overseeing global security operations.
• Proven experience managing mixed teams of employees, contractors, and managed service providers.
• Deep expertise with SIEM, SOAR, EDR, and threat-intelligence tools.
• Hands-on experience leading complex incident response efforts and executive-level communication.
• Strong familiarity with frameworks such as NIST CSF, MITRE ATT&CK, and incident response methodologies.
• Demonstrated success driving automation and AI-enhanced threat detection capabilities.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

• Certifications:
  
  CISSP, CISM, GIAC, or equivalent.
• Experience in pharmaceutical, healthcare, or other highly regulated industries.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Defender, Sentinel, Purview, and cloud-native security controls.
• Background in managing red/purple team exercises and continuous validation programs.

• May be based in: US, Canada, UK, Poland, Mexico, India, or Japan.
• Global travel may be required. Hybrid working options available in accordance with Astellas’ Responsible Flexibility Guidelines.

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation, Sick time, plus national holidays
• 401(k) match and annual company contribution
• Company paid life insurance
• Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions
• Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions
• Referral bonus program

Astellas is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. EOE including Disability/Protected Veterans.

• Job function:
  Management and Manufacturing
• Industries:
  Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, and Research Services

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