Sr Director of Cybersecurity at Applied Digital Corporation – Dallas, Texas

About Applied Digital:

At Applied Digital, we are the epicenter of AI innovation, crafting cutting-edge data center solutions tailored for the demands of high-performance computing. Designed from the ground up to support AI and machine learning workloads, our infrastructure is the backbone of tomorrow’s technological advancements, including AI-driven video and generative platforms.

We are:

• Forward-Thinkers: With a keen eye on current market trends and future innovations, we adapt swiftly and lead technological evolution.
• Resilient: We navigate complex challenges and emerge stronger, delivering robust and reliable solutions for industry pioneers.
• Innovative Designers: Leveraging the latest technologies, we create visionary solutions that redefine industry standards.

At Applied Digital, we are committed to solving intricate problems, advancing business initiatives, maximizing operational efficiency, and reducing our carbon footprint. We are a team of resilient, forward-thinking innovators driving the AI revolution.

Position Summary:

The Senior Director of Cybersecurity is responsible for developing, executing, and overseeing the organization’s cybersecurity vision, strategy, and operations. This role leads enterprise-wide efforts to protect digital assets, ensure regulatory compliance, manage cyber risk, and strengthen the overall security posture. The Senior Director partners closely with executive leadership, technology teams, and business stakeholders to anticipate evolving threats, implement modern security frameworks, and ensure business continuity through robust security practices.

This leader manages high performing teams across IT and OT security engineering and operations, incident response, cloud security, identity & access management, and vulnerability management. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with deep OT expertise and proven experience driving organization wide cybersecurity initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Develop and execute the enterprise cybersecurity strategy aligned with organizational goals.
• Establish and maintain security governance frameworks, policies, and standards (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001, CIS Controls).
• Serve as the primary cybersecurity advisor to executive leadership and key stakeholders.
• Build and lead long term roadmaps for cybersecurity programs, including cloud security, zero trust, and identity management.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Oversee enterprise-wide cybersecurity risk assessments and mitigation programs.
• Conduct specialized cyber risk assessments for OT and industrial control environments, incorporating threat modeling for power, cooling, and building automation systems to ensure operational resilience and uptime protection.
• Partner with Compliance and Risk teams to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements such as GDPR, HIPAA, SOX, PCIDSS, and other industry standards.
• Lead audits, internal assessments, and third party security evaluations.
• Implement frameworks for data protection, privacy, and secure data lifecycle management.

Security Operations & Incident Response

• Direct security operations, including threat monitoring, detection, and response.
• Oversee the development and maturity of the Security Operations Center (SOC).
• Lead Cybersecurity incident management processes, including investigation, containment, remediation, and executive reporting.
• Ensure disaster recovery and business continuity plans remain current and effective.

Technology & Architecture

• Drive the design and implementation of secure architecture across cloud, onpremises, and hybrid environments.
• Lead cybersecurity strategy and governance for Operational Technology (OT), including ICS, BMS, EPMS, and other critical control systems, ensuring secure IT/OT convergence, network segmentation, remote vendor access controls, and protection of campus power and mechanical infrastructure.
• Oversee identity and access management (IAM), privileged access management (PAM), and zerotrust initiatives.
• Ensure secure deployment of technologies and products through DevSecOps practices.
• Evaluate and recommend security tools, technologies, and vendors.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and develop cybersecurity teams across tactical and strategic functions.
• Foster a culture of security awareness across the organization.
• Partner with IT, engineering, legal, compliance, and business units to embed security into all operations.
• Manage cybersecurity budgets, vendor relationships, and resource planning.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in cybersecurity roles.
• 7+ years of leadership experience managing security teams and functions.
• Expertise in security frameworks such as NIST CSF, ISO 27001, CIS, and SOC 2.
• Strong experience in incident response, security operations, cloud security, and identity management.
• Handson understanding of network security, endpoint security, vulnerability management, and threat intelligence.
• Demonstrated track record of developing and executing enterprise cybersecurity strategies.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex security topics to nontechnical audiences.
• Experience in highly regulated industries (e.g., financial services, healthcare, government, energy).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in Datacenter construction and operations, or other OT centric industries.
• Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CISA, CEH, CCSP, GIAC, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience leading global, multisite cybersecurity programs.
• Knowledge of secure development practices, DevSecOps methodologies, and modern cloud platforms.
• Experience presenting to senior leadership.
• Prior experience managing large cybersecurity transformation initiatives.

Please note that Applied Digital is currently unable to sponsor new applicants for employment authorization or provide immigration-related support for this position. This includes, but is not limited to, visa categories such as H-1B, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, TN, E-2, E-3, L-1, O-1, and any Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) or other work authorizations that require employer sponsorship.

Physical Requirements:

• Able to remain in a seated position for an extended period and to lift and carry up to 15 lbs. (office manuals, case notebooks, case files, case materials, standard boxes, report binders, etc.) as needed.

The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.