Chief Information Security Officer

Overview

Chief Information Security Officer, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire. Dartmouth College seeks an ambitious, experienced, and innovative thought leader to serve as the next Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). The CISO will lead an enterprise-wide information security program protecting Dartmouth’s academic, research, and administrative operations. The CISO will report to the Vice President and Chief Information Officer and serve on the Information Technology and Consulting leadership team, with a dotted line to the Chief Compliance Officer. The CISO will be a crucial advisor to institutional leadership, providing guidance and policies on risk posture, regulatory obligations, and acceptable risk thresholds. They will oversee a team of IT security professionals, direct the College's cybersecurity strategy, and make critical decisions regarding risk assessments, security protocols, and responses to emerging threats. The CISO will articulate cybersecurity priorities to institutional risk stakeholders, including the Board of Trustees, serving as the key leader and voice of cybersecurity on campus.

The CISO will join Dartmouth at an exciting and pivotal moment. With the recent appointment of a new president and the arrival of a new provost, Dartmouth is primed for an exciting era of growth and innovation, driven by strong new leadership to shape its future direction. The CISO will be integral in stewarding collaborations and relationships across the institution, ensuring that constituents feel well-supported on issues of security so that Dartmouth remains well-positioned to advance its vision. Dartmouth researchers secure approximately $200 million in external research funding annually; the next CISO will play a crucial role in supporting researchers and ensuring secure, effective, compliant, and efficient security measures and processes for them.

Responsibilities

• Lead an enterprise-wide information security program protecting Dartmouth’s academic, research, and administrative operations.
• Direct the College's cybersecurity strategy and governance, including risk assessments, security protocols, and responses to emerging threats.
• Serve as a crucial advisor to institutional leadership on risk posture, regulatory obligations, and acceptable risk thresholds.
• Work with stakeholders across the institution to articulate cybersecurity priorities to the Board of Trustees and other risk stakeholders.
• Provide guidance to build a culture where information security is a shared responsibility among all employees handling sensitive data.
• Oversee a team of IT security professionals and drive sustainable, forward-looking cybersecurity initiatives.
• Stay informed on industry trends and best practices, applying meaningful metrics to drive timely evaluations and informed, values-based decisions.

Qualifications

• Strategic thinker with proven leadership experience in a decentralized research university.
• Demonstrated track record of ethical data governance and AI security in an academic setting.
• Experience securing cloud environments and implementing zero-trust models.
• Skilled communicator and manager capable of engaging across a wide range of audiences.
• Ability to collaborate with the research community to support goals and timelines, ensuring clear, timely communication and removal of obstacles to improve efficiency.

Application and Search Process

Dartmouth College has retained the national search firm Isaacson, Miller to assist in recruiting its new Chief Information Security Officer. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website for the search: the site is available at the Isaacson, Miller Open Searches page. Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.

Becca Kennedy, Managing Partner; Kristen Andersen, Senior Associate; Cortnee Bollard, Senior Search Coordinator; Isaacson, Miller.

Equal Opportunity

Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all. Dartmouth is committed to accessibility for its community. If you are an applicant with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation to aid in the job application and/or interview process, please email In the subject line, please state application accommodations and include the job number or title. Someone from the ADA/504 Office will be in touch within 2 business days.