Project Manager

Position: Project Manager – Security

Location: Schaumburg, IL

Job Type - W2

Note - Must have Merger & Acquisitions Exp.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Project Planning and Execution:

· Lead and manage security projects from inception to completion, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and budget.

· Develop detailed project plans that outline scope, deliverables, timelines, resources, risks, and success metrics.

· Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including information security, IT, compliance, legal, and business units, to ensure alignment with organizational goals.

· Track project performance, manage project budgets, and apply corrective actions as needed to keep initiatives on track.

2. M&A Security Integration:

· Oversee security integration efforts during mergers, acquisitions, or organizational transitions, ensuring seamless unification of security controls, tools, and frameworks.

· Manage the consolidation and optimization of security technologies, policies, and procedures to mitigate risks and ensure business continuity.

· Lead security assessments during M&A activities to identify vulnerabilities, gaps, and risks, and develop comprehensive remediation and integration plans.

· Ensure that security standards, incident response capabilities, and business resilience strategies are maintained throughout the M&A process.

3. Security Architecture and Implementation:

· Oversee the implementation of security controls and technologies such as SIEM, endpoint protection, DLP, firewalls, and intrusion detection/prevention systems.

· Ensure security solutions align with industry best practices, regulatory requirements, and evolving threat landscapes.

· Partner with security architects and engineers to implement technical solutions that protect sensitive assets and data.

4. Stakeholder Management and Communication:

· Provide clear, consistent, and timely communication to key stakeholders, including senior leadership, risk management, and technical teams.

· Facilitate collaboration between security, IT, and business units to address security challenges and ensure successful project delivery.

· Manage expectations of internal and external stakeholders during security transitions, integrations, or enhancements.

5. Risk and Issue Management:

· Identify and assess potential security risks and issues associated with projects or integrations and develop effective mitigation strategies.

· Conduct regular security risk assessments to ensure controls are effective and compliant with policies and regulations.

· Resolve security-related issues in a timely manner to avoid business disruptions or non-compliance.

6. Compliance and Governance:

· Ensure security projects and initiatives meet regulatory and industry compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, SOX, PCI-DSS, NIST).

· Partner with compliance and risk management teams to ensure audit readiness and adherence to corporate governance policies.

· Implement and maintain policies and procedures related to information security, data privacy, and cybersecurity risk management.

7. Continuous Improvement:

· Identify opportunities to enhance security processes, technologies, and project delivery methodologies.

· Stay up to date with the latest security trends, technologies, and regulatory changes, and recommend improvements as appropriate.

· Promote a culture of security awareness and continuous improvement across the organization.

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Required Skills and Experience:

1. Technical Expertise:

· Strong understanding of enterprise security technologies, including SIEM, IDS/IPS, endpoint protection, DLP, encryption, identity management, and cloud security.

· Familiarity with security frameworks and standards such as NIST, ISO 27001, CIS Controls, and COBIT.

· Hands-on experience managing security implementations, upgrades, and integrations in on-premises and cloud environments.

· Direct experience with security challenges and controls associated with M&A activities.

2. Project Management Skills:

· Proven experience managing complex security projects, including budgeting, scheduling, resource management, and risk management.

· Proficiency with project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid approaches).

· Strong problem-solving skills and ability to handle competing demands in a fast-paced environment.

3. Communication and Collaboration:

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present security concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

· Strong ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with IT, security, compliance, and business stakeholders.

· Demonstrated success managing stakeholder expectations and resolving project roadblocks.

4. M&A Experience:

· Experience leading security due diligence, risk assessments, and integration planning during mergers, acquisitions, or divestitures.

· Understanding of the unique security and compliance risks associated with M&A transactions.

5. Compliance and Security Awareness:

· Strong knowledge of regulatory and compliance standards relevant to information security.

· Familiarity with cybersecurity risk management, incident response planning, and security operations.

· Ability to ensure secure and compliant integration of security programs during organizational transitions.

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Preferred Qualifications:

· PMP, CISSP, CISM, CRISC, or similar certifications.

· Experience in security program delivery within highly regulated industries (e.g., financial services, healthcare, insurance).

· Knowledge of cloud-native security tools (AWS Security Hub, Azure Security Center, etc.).

· Experience with business continuity planning and disaster recovery in the context of security programs.