Chief Information Security Officer

Job posting ID: 9434

Location: Ottawa, Brampton, Toronto/Hybrid

​Employment status: Temporary full-time

Salary: $152,500 - $197,340

Application deadline: Until Filled
We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications as soon as possible.

How to apply:
Canadian Blood Services has partnered with Boyden. Submit your application directly to Boyden via their website.

Chief Information Security Officer

Canadian Blood Services is an essential part of the country’s network of healthcare systems. Together, with donors, recipients, employees, partners and volunteers, Canadian Blood Services is Canada’s Lifeline, providing lifesaving products and services in transfusion and transplantation for Canadian patients, and safeguarding Canada's systems of life essentials in blood, plasma, stem cells, and organs and tissues.

Canadian Blood Services continues to strengthen its enterprise security and advance organizational resilience in support of its mission. It is within this exciting context that the organization is seeking a Chief Information Security Officer.

Reporting to the Vice-President, Digital Solutions & Technology, the CISO provides executive leadership for cybersecurity strategy, governance, risk management, security operations and transformation. As the organization’s senior-most cybersecurity leader, you will advise senior leadership and the Board, lead a skilled team of cybersecurity professionals, and translate complex security risks into clear priorities and practical action.

As a supply chain organization with a national footprint, Canadian Blood Services employs significant and mission-critical Operational Technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) environments to support its biologics manufacturing processes. As CISO you are accountable for enhancing the existing OT/IoT security strategy, governance framework, standards, and risk-management program aligned with recognized practices such as NIST Cybersecurity Framework and IEC 62443.

You must work collegially and collaboratively across operational, engineering, facilities, biomedical, IT, privacy, and business teams to build a culture in which robust security behaviours are embedded in daily work while cybersecurity requirements are balanced with safety, reliability, regulatory obligations, and the continuity of essential operations and availability of mission-critical services. You will shape and deliver a risk-based cybersecurity maturity roadmap, establish accountable ownership of security initiatives and demonstrate measurable progress in remediation through strong enterprise governance and reporting.

As the ideal candidate, you bring at least 10 years of progressive cybersecurity and information security experience, including proven leadership as a CISO or equivalent cybersecurity executive. You bring demonstrable understanding of Canadian privacy and cybersecurity requirements and can apply recognized frameworks such as NIST CSF, ISO 27001, CIS Controls, etc. Combining strategic judgment with hands-on execution skill, you have built sustainable capabilities and supported structured knowledge transfer in areas such as artificial intelligence, identity and access management; privileged access controls; network segmentation; cloud and Microsoft 365 security; incident response; and vendor risk management. You are an influential communicator and trusted advisor who easily builds credibility with executives, Boards, technical teams and business leaders. You bring integrity, collaboration, sound risk-based decision-making and the ability to lead change under pressure.

Demonstrable experience leading security improvement and remediation in other complex, highly regulated environments will equip you to navigate Canadian Blood Services’ unique operational demands. A bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline and CISSP, CISM or a comparable certification are preferred; an equivalent combination of education, training and experience may also be considered.

This is a term contract position with the potential for permanency. Experience in interim, fractional, advisory or turnaround CISO engagements is an asset.

Remuneration is expected to be in the range of $152,500–$197,340 salary plus an annual performance incentive of up to 12%. The final salary will be commensurate with expertise and professional background.During the contract term additional recruitment incentives may be offered in lieu of pension, benefits and vacation.

To apply, please visit: boyden.thriveapp.ly/job/3459. For more information, please contact Virginia Warren at [email protected].

Canadian Blood Services values diversity, equity and inclusion. It aims to reflect the diversity of Canadians and exemplify a culture of inclusion where all employees have equitable opportunities to succeed and contribute. We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those under consideration for the role will be contacted.