Assistant Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer

Kansas State University (“K-State”) seeks a collaborative, strategic, and experienced leader to serve as Chief Information Security Officer (“CISO”). The CISO will join the University at a time of tremendous growth and opportunity as the institution expands its reach, research enterprise, and national reputation. Reporting to the Chief Information Officer (“CIO”), the CISO will provide university-wide leadership for developing, strengthening, advancing, and continuously improving K-State’s information security program to ensure that institutional information assets are protected while partnering with the campus community and enabling the University’s mission of teaching, research, and service.  The CISO will be a proven and approachable leader who is comfortable recruiting, mentoring, and building a modern security organization in a complex academic environment. This individual will bring experience as a security strategist, organizational builder, and trusted institutional partner, helping to shape security practices that support innovation and collaboration across the University. Working closely with campus leaders, faculty researchers, IT professionals, and administrative partners, the CISO will position cybersecurity as an enabler of institutional success, ensuring that security practices support academic and research objectives.  The CISO will cultivate strong relationships across the University community, serving as a connector, educator, and strategic advisor on matters of cybersecurity risk, compliance, and resilience. The role requires an individual who is comfortable building partnerships and fostering a culture of shared responsibility for information security. Through collaboration and clear communication, the CISO will ensure that faculty, staff, and researchers feel supported and empowered to protect sensitive information while advancing their work.

In 2023, Kansas State University launched a bold new strategic plan, Next-Gen K-State, reflecting the institution’s dynamic vision for the future of higher education. The plan outlines how K-State will serve new kinds of learners, address grand global challenges, and contribute to the economic prosperity of the state of Kansas. A major component of the plan is expanding the University’s research enterprise, with a goal of reaching $300 million in annual research expenditures by 2030. The CISO will play a critical role in supporting this ambition by ensuring that cybersecurity practices enable secure, compliant, and efficient research operations while maintaining strong protections for institutional data and systems.

K-State is a land-grant, public research university with more than 19,000 students, 1,300 faculty members, and 2,900 staff across campuses in Manhattan, Salina, and Olathe. The CISO will join a proud and engaged community dedicated to its mission as the nation’s first operational land-grant university, positively impacting society and transforming lives in Kansas and around the world.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, consensus builder, and collaborative leader who understands the balance between security, research enablement, and institutional agility. They will bring experience working within complex organizations—ideally within higher education—and will demonstrate success in developing security operations, programs, building teams, and aligning cybersecurity strategy with institutional priorities. The successful CISO will champion the understanding that information security is a shared institutional responsibility, helping leaders and community members understand both risks and opportunities. They will maintain awareness of evolving threats, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices while implementing practical and sustainable security measures. Through thoughtful leadership, the CISO will continue strengthening K-State’s cybersecurity posture while enabling the University community to pursue innovation, research excellence, and operational effectiveness.

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 electronically below.

Lindsay Gold and Dan Rodas are leading this search with Kristen Andersen and Julia Hochner. 

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.