Internet Storm Center

Job Description

Hiring Range: $126,000 - $150,828 Annually

The State of North Dakota is looking for a Director of Cyber Operations to oversee North Dakota Information Technology's (NDIT) enterprise cybersecurity solutions and services by managing the NDIT Cyber Operations Center and its operational teams. The Director interacts with various stakeholders to establish and manage services that align with the State of North Dakota’s strategic cybersecurity goals.

The Director of Cyber Operations will:
• Collaborate with the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to build, lead, and manage statewide cybersecurity operations including developing strategy, defining goals and objectives, and setting performance metrics in alignment with organizational objectives.
• Continually assess cybersecurity operations processes, technologies, and services and develop an operational roadmap to accomplish strategic objectives and ensure enterprise and stakeholder security needs are being met.
• Responsibly manage the ongoing budget and human resource capacity of the Cyber Operations Center (CyOC) and advise the CISO on future requirements in support of biennial budget requests to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of services.
• Provide oversight and guidance to managers of cybersecurity operations teams performing critical security functions such as continuous monitoring, incident response, threat hunting, malware analysis, forensics, penetration testing, web application testing, automation engineering, threat intelligence, security toolset administration, network/identity/endpoint protection, vulnerability scanning, and log management.
• Lead cross-functional teams across the organization and enterprise during critical security incidents, ensuring swift and effective resolution while minimizing impact, maintaining clear communication with stakeholders, and guiding the incident lifecycle.
• Foster strong internal and external stakeholder relationships, communicate cybersecurity goals and objectives, and manage critical vendor relationships.
• Stay current with cybersecurity industry trends, pursue continuous professional development through training and certifications, and actively engage in industry events to enhance skills and maintain a professional network.

This position requires a collaborative leader with a strong technical foundation, positive attitude, and a passion for driving continuous improvement. Candidates must have experience managing technical teams and a broad understanding of enterprise IT and cybersecurity operations. Core technical expertise should include security architecture, identity, network, and endpoint security, operating systems, security operations, and familiarity with industry frameworks such as NIST CSF and CIS Critical Controls.

In addition to technical depth, candidates must demonstrate strong leadership and team-building capabilities. This includes the ability to guide multidisciplinary teams, lead through change, drive cross-functional collaboration, and foster a culture of accountability and innovation. Strong communication and analytical skills are essential, along with the ability to assess risk, respond to incidents, make decisions under pressure, and translate complex technical issues into business-relevant terms.

The ideal candidate will have led cybersecurity operations in large, complex environments and successfully managed enterprise-scale security programs. Experience in overseeing security in hybrid (cloud and on-premises) environments is highly desirable. Experiencing managing a budget a bonus. Additional strengths include strong customer relationship management and the ability to influence security culture across both technical and non-technical audiences.

Candidates must reside in North Dakota or a border community (e.g., Moorhead, MN; East Grand Forks, MN). This role will require regular, at times frequent, travel to Bismarck. If selected candidate lives within a 50 miles radius of NDIT offices in Bismarck or Fargo, North Dakota they will work on site at minimum one day a week.

Minimum Qualifications
To be considered for this role, you must have:

• A bachelor’s degree in Business, Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology or a closely related field, and at least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional-level experience in cybersecurity.
• Of that experience, a minimum of two (2) years must be in a cybersecurity leadership role with direct people management responsibilities.

Professional work experience meeting the above conditions will be accepted on a year for year basis in substitution of the education requirement.

Selected candidate must have the ability to qualify and maintain a secret clearance.

Preferred Qualifications
• ISC2 (CISSP), GIAC (GISP, GSOM, GSLC, GSTRT, GCCC, GCIL), or ISACA (CISM) or equivalent cybersecurity leadership/management certifications.

Residency Requirement:
Candidates must reside in North Dakota or a border community (e.g., Moorhead, MN; East Grand Forks, MN). Application materials must clearly show an address in the selected recruiting area or confirm the candidate’s ability to relocate to ND or a border community within 30 days of an offer being made. Applications that do not show they meet the location requirement will be declined.

About Team ND
"Far and away the best prize life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." - Theodore Roosevelt

More than 7,500 talented, hard-working people across sixty-three agencies have come together as Team North Dakota. At Team ND, we are driven to succeed through gratitude, humility, curiosity and courage. Our purpose is to empower people, improve lives, and inspire success. Join us in being legendary.

Total Rewards: The State of North Dakota is committed to providing team members with a strong and competitive rewards package that support you, your health and your family.

Considering a new position on Team ND? How does your current position stack up? Use our Total Rewards Calculator to estimate.

Application Procedures
The answers given on this application are to be reflective of your work experiences. Any use or suspected use of AI during the application process may affect the outcome of the hiring decision.

Please make sure that your resume includes information to demonstrate how you meet the minimum qualifications as posted. Your work history will not be given credit if North Dakota Information Technology cannot determine that you meet the minimum qualifications.

All application material, including your resume, must be received on or before the closing date by 11:59 PM Central Standard Time (CST).

North Dakota Information Technology does not offer or provide sponsorships. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

For more information or if you need an accommodation, please contact [email protected] or (701) 328-4470.

Equal Employment Opportunity
The State of North Dakota and this hiring agency do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetics, religion, age or disability in employment or the provisions of services and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.