Business Information Security Officer - University & Research Focus

Business Information Security Officer - University & Research Focus - Permanent - Chicago, IL / Hybrid - $1,30

The final salary or hourly wage, as applicable, paid to each candidate/applicant for this position is ultimately dependent on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's/applicant's qualifications, skills, and level of experience as well as the geographical location of the position.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship not available.

Our client is seeking a Business Information Security Officer - University & Research Focus in Chicago, IL.

Role Description

In this highly visible and strategic role, you'll serve as a trusted advisor and operational partner to university and research business units, embedding cybersecurity into everyday operations. You'll translate enterprise security strategy into real-world action, driving awareness, training, and risk management initiatives that protect both people and data. As the bridge between technology and academia, you'll lead education efforts, guide compliance with frameworks like NIST and FERPA, and influence how teams adopt secure, sustainable practices. This is an opportunity to shape how cybersecurity supports our mission in research and education - all while collaborating with leadership to advance a security-first culture. If you're a relationship builder with strong leadership, communication, and technical acumen - and you're passionate about connecting cybersecurity strategy to meaningful outcomes - we want to hear from you.

Cybersecurity Awareness & Training Support:
Lead cybersecurity education and awareness programs tailored for university and research environments.
Conduct training sessions, workshops, and campaigns to address information security risks specific to academic and research domains.
Develop and deliver communications (guides, FAQs, presentations, intranet updates) in collaboration with Communications teams.
Promote a culture of security-first behaviors by engaging directly with faculty, researchers, and staff.
Represent the organization in internal and external meetings, industry events, and conferences.

Risk Engagement & Compliance Support:
Act as the primary cybersecurity liaison for academic and research leaders, department managers, and IT teams.
Identify and escalate domain-specific cybersecurity risks and coordinate mitigation plans with leadership.
Monitor compliance with security policies, regulatory frameworks (FERPA, research data protection), and organizational standards (NIST CSF, CIS).
Facilitate tabletop exercises, after-action reviews, and department-level incident response coordination.

Program Execution & Reporting:
Manage operational tasks for security awareness and risk engagement programs within university and research units.
Provide feedback and recommendations to continuously improve security programs.
Support executive presentations and updates specific to academic and research domains.
Understand business goals and operational processes to develop and lead a roadmap of security initiatives.
Embed security into operations and systems, influencing processes and teams to adopt practical and sustainable cybersecurity controls.

Change Management for Cybersecurity Initiatives:
Develop strategies to maximize adoption and minimize resistance to changes in academic and research processes.
Conduct impact analyses and identify key stakeholders.
Monitor progress and adjust strategies to ensure objectives are met.
Communicate updates and gather feedback to maintain transparency and engagement.

Skills & Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field.
5-7 years of experience in Information Security, project management, and/or cybersecurity education and awareness.
3+ years managing cross-functional teams and delivering projects successfully.
Strong background in information security, GRC, or education and awareness activities.
Excellent communication and presentation skills; ability to train others effectively on cybersecurity concepts.
Strong organizational and leadership skills with the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
Broad cybersecurity background, including experience building and executing security strategies.
Proven ability to influence and collaborate across departments and levels of leadership.
Experience in university or research environments.
Consulting experience with a focus on operations management.
Project management certifications (PMP) or security certifications (CISSP, CISM).

Benefits/Other Compensation:

Medical, Dental, Life Insurance, 401K.

Why Hays?

You will be working with a professional recruiter who has intimate knowledge of the industry and market trends. Your Hays recruiter will lead you through a thorough screening process in order to understand your skills, experience, needs, and drivers. You will also get support on resume writing, interview tips, and career planning, so when there's a position you really want, you're fully prepared to get it.

Nervous about an upcoming interview? Unsure how to write a new resume?

Visit the Hays Career Advice section to learn top tips to help you stand out from the crowd when job hunting.

Hays is committed to building a thriving culture of diversity that embraces people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better we serve our candidates, clients, and employees. We are an equal employment opportunity employer, and we comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, HIV-positive status, as well as any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. One of Hays' guiding principles is 'do the right thing'.
We also believe that actions speak louder than words.
In that regard, we train our staff on ensuring inclusivity throughout the entire recruitment process and counsel our clients on these principles. If you have any questions about Hays or any of our processes, please contact us.

In accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law protecting qualified individuals with known disabilities, Hays will attempt to reasonably accommodate those individuals unless doing so would create an undue hardship on the company. Any qualified applicant or consultant with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job should call or text .

Drug testing may be required; please contact a recruiter for more information.

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