Strategy Advisor / vCISO (Unit 42)

Company Description

Our Mission

At Palo Alto Networks® everything starts and ends with our mission:

Being the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life.
Our vision is a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. We are a company built on the foundation of challenging and disrupting the way things are done, and we’re looking for innovators who are as committed to shaping the future of cybersecurity as we are.

Who We Are

We take our mission of protecting the digital way of life seriously. We are relentless in protecting our customers and we believe that the unique ideas of every member of our team contributes to our collective success. Our values were crowdsourced by employees and are brought to life through each of us everyday - from disruptive innovation and collaboration, to execution. From showing up for each other with integrity to creating an environment where we all feel included.

As a member of our team, you will be shaping the future of cybersecurity. We work fast, value ongoing learning, and we respect each employee as a unique individual. Knowing we all have different needs, our development and personal wellbeing programs are designed to give you choice in how you are supported. This includes our FLEXBenefits wellbeing spending account with over 1,000 eligible items selected by employees, our mental and financial health resources, and our personalized learning opportunities - just to name a few!

Job Description

Your Career

Our leading consultancy seeks a dynamic and visionary vCISO to champion and operationalize cybersecurity best practices across our key clients.

This crucial role will act as an account CISO and requires a trusted advisor who can effectively engage with client stakeholders (including CISOs, security teams, IT management, and executive leadership) across our client base. 

You’ll shape strategy, navigate complexity, and build trusted relationships in moments that matter. This is a hybrid role blending delivery, advisory, thought leadership and relationship development.

You bring not just credibility, but presence — influencing strategy, guiding our engagements, and strengthening PANW’s position in key markets. As part of our strategic transformation team, you will work alongside technical specialists and GTM leaders to connect client challenges to meaningful outcomes.

This position requires a seasoned cybersecurity professional eager to influence client outcomes and drive meaningful improvements to their security posture. This role is key in managing and reducing operational security risks for our key clients to acceptable levels by architecting remediation programs and guiding the implementation of appropriate security controls. 

Success in this role hinges on exceptional relationship management skills and the ability to drive adoption of recommended security solutions within the client organization.

Your Impact

Client Engagement and Programme Delivery:

• Serve as a trusted security advisor to client stakeholders, including CISOs, security teams, IT management, and executive leadership
• Work with different delivery partners across a complex product and service ecosystem to pragmatically manage risk and drive successful outcomes
• Develop deep, trusted relationships across the client organization, fostering open communication and collaboration
• Provide strategic guidance and mentorship to client security teams, empowering them to effectively manage security risks
• Present security recommendations and findings to various client audiences, tailoring communication to the specific group
• Represent our consultancy on client calls and escalations, offering expert security advice and guidance
• Champion security best practices within the client organization and drive the adoption of recommended solutions

Thought Leadership & Industry Collaboration:

• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of key security policies and technology developments
• Stay abreast of industry best practices, emerging threats, and regulatory changes to provide cutting-edge guidance to clients
• Share relevant industry insights and best practices with the client's security team to foster continuous improvement
• Support executive engagement / peer relationships across our client base and international peers.
• Represent Unit 42 and PANW at external events, roundtables, or conferences
• Create client-ready thought leadership assets that can be used to support client outcomes and assist wider brand building activities

Security Risk Management & Remediation:

• Lead security risk reviews, maturity assessments, and vCISO-led transformation plans
• Develop and implement client-specific cybersecurity roadmaps, strategies, policies, and procedures.
• Provide expert advice on security architecture, incident response, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning
• Oversee and guide client security teams in implementing and managing security controls.
• Assist clients with compliance requirements related to various regulations (GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, PCI DSS, etc.) and standards (e.g., ISO 27001, SOC 2)
• Manage security risk committees to support client cyber risk management practices
• Track and manage remediation of security audit and compliance findings for clients
• Review security metrics and lead remediation programs within the client's environment
• Lead or sponsor client security initiatives
• Ensure necessary security controls are in place in conjunction with client data privacy initiatives

Qualifications

Your Experience 

• Proven experience as an in-house CISO, or as vCISO within a consulting or systems integrator organisation
• 10+ years of experience in cybersecurity, with expertise in areas like email security, cloud security, incident response, application security, vulnerability management, network security, cloud security, security operations, physical security, and supplier risk management
• Strong experience in implementing and operating security controls in complex corporate environments
• Demonstrated ability to engage with C-level executives and deliver impactful presentations.
• Deep understanding of UK public sector security policies, compliance/assurance requirements, and audit practices
• Understanding of industry-recognised cybersecurity frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001, CIS), global privacy regulations, and emerging threats
• Current holder of (or able to be cleared to) SC and ideally DV security clearance
• Experience of working in multi-provider, multi-year programmes
• Proven track record of building and implementing account growth strategies, both in terms of security maturity and business development
• Exceptional communication (written/verbal), presentation, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate technical concepts to diverse audiences
• Fluent in English, with Dutch, German, Spanish, or Italian as strong differentiators

Highly Desired:

• Advanced degree in Cybersecurity, Business Administration, or a related field
• Professional certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CCISO, or GIAC
• Experience with ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials+, and other relevant compliance standards
• Published thought leadership and public speaking experience at major industry events

Additional Information

Unit 42 brings together our world-renowned threat researchers with an elite team of security consultants to create an intelligence-driven, response ready organization. The Unit 42 Threat Intelligence team provides threat research that enables security teams to understand adversary intent and attribution, while enhancing protections offered by our products and services to stop advanced attacks. As threats escalate, Unit 42 is available to advise customers on the latest risks, assess their readiness, and help them recover when the worst occurs.

Our Commitment

We’re problem solvers that take risks and challenge cybersecurity’s status quo. It’s simple: we can’t accomplish our mission without diverse teams innovating, together.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability or special need, please contact us at  [email protected].

Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in our workplace, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.