Essential Consulting
Interim CISO DORA / Financial Services
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Interim CISO - Dora / Financial Services
Location: UK predominantly remote with some travel to London, Leeds and Manchester
Rate: Approx. £650 - £700 per day (Inside IR35)
Contract: Initial 3 months, with potential to extend
Start: ASAP
Essential Consulting is looking for an experienced Interim Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to support a major Financial Services organisation on an urgent interim assignment.
This is a senior, hands-on role requiring someone who can hit the ground running and take immediate ownership of key information security, regulatory and audit activity.
A major focus of the assignment will be DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act) and the successful management of associated external audit requirements. We are therefore looking for someone with strong practical knowledge of DORA and experience of operating within a highly regulated Financial Services environment.
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Key Responsibilities
- Taking senior CISO accountability for information security and associated regulatory requirements.
- Leading and supporting activity relating to DORA compliance and external audit.
- Preparing responses and evidence for external auditors.
- Managing and driving the closure of outstanding audit findings.
- Working closely with senior Information Risk and Security stakeholders across the organisation.
- Providing appropriate reporting and assurance to senior management and Board-level stakeholders.
- Supporting the implementation of an AI policy and associated governance.
- Ensuring a comprehensive handover to the permanent CISO at the conclusion of the assignment.
Key Requirements
- Significant senior-level Information Security / CISO experience within Financial Services.
- Strong practical knowledge and experience of DORA.
- Extensive experience of working with external auditors and managing regulatory/audit findings through to closure.
- Experience operating in a senior accountable role with exposure to Boards, Executive Committees and/or senior regulated stakeholders.
- The ability to quickly understand an organisation, build relationships and take ownership with minimal support.
- A dynamic, delivery-focused approach and the ability to work at pace.
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The assignment can be predominantly remote, although the successful candidate will need to travel to meet key stakeholders across London, Leeds and Manchester, particularly during the early stages of the engagement.
This is an urgent requirement and we are particularly keen to speak with candidates who are available immediately or at short notice.
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