At the Center for Internet Security, Inc. (CIS), we are seeking a Vice President of MS-ISAC State & Territory Strategic Engagement to develop and lead our national approach to advancing security resilience. This executive role is responsible for designing and scaling CIS's 'whole-of-state' security strategy, serving as a trusted advisor to senior leaders across all U.S. states and territories.
What You'll Do
- Lead the design, execution, and continuous maturation of CIS’s whole-of-state multidimensional security program across all U.S. states and territories.
- Serve as a senior trusted advisor to governors’ offices, state CIOs, CISOs, Homeland Security Advisors, Emergency Managers, and other executive leaders on security strategy and risk management.
- Advance adoption, effective use, and long-term sustainability of state and territory-wide MS-ISAC membership through consultative, value-based engagement.
- Conduct executive-level briefings, strategy sessions, and workshops focused on improving statewide and local security maturity.
- Guide states in developing and strengthening governance models, legislative approaches, organizational structures, and operating models that support whole-of-state cybersecurity.
- Advise on alignment of people, process, policy, funding, and technology to raise security maturity across state agencies and local jurisdictions.
- Provide strategic oversight and direction to assigned staff and contractors supporting whole-of-state initiatives.
- Partner closely with CIS business units, MS-ISAC operations, and membership functions to ensure coordinated planning and execution.
- Develop scalable advisory frameworks, playbooks, and maturity models that can be applied consistently across states and territories.
- Track and report progress using meaningful outcome-based metrics tied to adoption, maturity improvement, and member engagement.
- Represent CIS as a national thought leader through conference presentations, executive forums, and external briefings.
- Provide strategic insight and recommendations to CIS executive leadership on trends, risks, and opportunities affecting state and local cybersecurity.
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Additional years of relevant experience or a combination of an Associate’s degree or equivalent and relevant experience may be substituted).
- 10+ years of progressive professional experience, including 7+ years in senior leadership roles.
- Senior executive experience within state or territorial government, or equivalent experience advising state executive leadership on cybersecurity and technology strategy.
- Deep understanding of state and local government operations, funding mechanisms, legislative processes, and political dynamics.
- Demonstrated ability to operate as a trusted advisor to governors’ offices, executive branch leadership, and senior public-sector stakeholders.
- Proven experience leading large-scale, multi-stakeholder cybersecurity or technology initiatives across complex organizational environments.
- Strong executive presence, including the ability to facilitate high-level discussions, challenge assumptions constructively, and influence outcomes.
- Ability to navigate ambiguity and operate effectively in environments with evolving strategy, structure, and requirements.
- Excellent verbal, written, facilitation, and presentation skills suitable for executive and public-facing engagements.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate across organizational boundaries and lead through both authority and influence.
- Commitment to advancing cybersecurity resilience across the public sector.
- High degree of professional judgment, discretion, and integrity.
- Enthusiastic and passionate about the CIS mission of securing the connected world.
- Must be a citizen of the United States of America.
Nice to Have
- Advanced degree in Business, Public Administration, Cybersecurity, or a related discipline.
- Prior service as a state CIO, CISO, Homeland Security Advisor, Emergency Manager, cabinet-level official, or comparable senior SLTT leadership role.
- Direct experience leading or advising statewide or whole-of-state security initiatives.
- Experience working with the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), an ISAC, or comparable public-sector information sharing organization.
- Familiarity with state and local cybersecurity maturity models, frameworks, and best practices.
- Experience engaging with state legislatures, governors’ offices, or senior policy staff on security-related initiatives.
- Background in executive advisory, consulting, or peer-to-peer engagement models.
- Experience supporting or operating within public-sector, nonprofit, or membership-based organizations.
Team & Environment
This role reports to the SVP of MS-ISAC Program Management Office (PMO) and Business Operations. You will provide strategic oversight and direction to assigned staff and contractors.
Benefits & Compensation
- Compensation Range: USD$188,300.00 - $338,900.00
Work Mode
This is a fully remote position.
CIS is committed to providing an inclusive environment in which the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and views of our employees, members, and customers are valued and respected.
