Dartmouth College (“Dartmouth” or “the College”) seeks an ambitious, experienced, and innovative thought leader to serve as the next Chief Information Security Officer (“CISO”). The CISO will lead an enterprise-wide information security program protecting Dartmouth’s academic, research, and administrative operations. The CISO will report to the Vice President and Chief Information Officer and serve on the Information Technology and Consulting leadership team, with a dotted line to the Chief Compliance Officer. The CISO will be a crucial advisor to institutional leadership, providing guidance and policies on risk posture, regulatory obligations, and acceptable risk thresholds. They will oversee a team of IT security professionals, direct the College's cybersecurity strategy, and make critical decisions regarding risk assessments, security protocols, and responses to emerging threats. The CISO will articulate the cybersecurity priorities to the institutional risk stakeholders, including the Board of Trustees, serving as the key leader and voice of cybersecurity on campus.
The CISO will join Dartmouth at an exciting and pivotal moment. With the recent appointment of a new president and the arrival of a new provost, Dartmouth is primed for an exciting era of growth and innovation, driven by strong new leadership to shape its future direction. The CISO will be integral in stewarding collaborations and relationships across the institution, ensuring that constituents feel well-supported on issues of security so that Dartmouth remains well-positioned to advance its vision. Dartmouth researchers secure approximately $200 million in external research funding annually; the next CISO will play a crucial role in supporting researchers and ensuring secure, effective, compliant, and efficient security measures and processes for them.
Dartmouth has a rich and distinguished history of leadership and innovation in higher education. President Sian Leah Beilock has redoubled Dartmouth’s commitment to leading the field, utilizing the institution’s size, scope, and tight-knit community as advantages to forge a bold path in an important moment for higher education. Dartmouth’s unique profile blends the energy, resources, and academic rigor of a major research university with a steadfast dedication to undergraduate education across the arts, sciences, and engineering. The College is committed to expanding the scope and impact of its innovations, scholarship, and research.
The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker, skilled at building consensus and aligning people and processes. They will collaborate closely with Dartmouth’s research community to support their goals and timelines, ensuring clear, timely communication and actively eliminating obstacles to improve efficiency. This individual will advocate for a culture where information security is viewed as a shared responsibility among all employees handling sensitive data. They will offer a forward-looking, sustainable vision for Dartmouth’s cybersecurity initiatives, staying informed on industry trends and best practices. With up-to-date knowledge of leading digital platforms and technologies, they will apply meaningful metrics to drive timely evaluations and informed, values-based decisions. Remaining sharply attuned to cybersecurity threats, they will maintain constant vigilance in protecting the College’s digital landscape.
The next CISO will bring demonstrated leadership experience working in a decentralized research university with a proven record of ethical data governance and AI security in an academic setting, securing cloud environments, and implementing zero-trust models. The CISO will be an accomplished team leader and manager and a skilled communicator who can engage across a wide range of audiences.
Dartmouth College has retained the national search firm Isaacson, Miller to assist in recruiting its new Chief Information Security Officer. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website for the search: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/dartmouth-college/chief-information-security-officer. Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.
Becca Kennedy, Managing Partner
Kristen Andersen, Senior Associate
Cortnee Bollard, Senior Search Coordinator
Isaacson, Miller
Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.
Dartmouth is committed to accessibility for its community. If you are an applicant with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation to aid in the job application and/or interview process, please email: ADA.Institutional.Diversity.and.Equity@Dartmouth.edu. In the subject line, please state application accommodations and include the job number or title. Someone from the ADA/504 Office will be in touch within 2 business days.
