Managing Director, Cyber Defense  — Mizuho Americas

The Managing Director, Cyber Defense, is a senior executive leadership position at Mizuho Americas responsible for developing, executing, and overseeing Mizuho Americas’ comprehensive cyber defense and incident response strategy. This role will ensure the ongoing protection of critical assets and data by strengthening incident response capabilities, managing vulnerability and data loss prevention programs, and driving the development of the Global Cyber Fusion Center. The Managing Director will also establish and maintain robust frameworks and best practices across the cybersecurity program, directly impacting Mizuho Americas’ security posture and operational resilience.

Key Responsibilities

• Cybersecurity Strategy Leadership: Execute and deliver against Mizuho Americas’ overall cybersecurity strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.
• Artificial Intelligence: Develop and Drive the execution of the cybersecurity program Agentic capabilities
• Incident Response and Operations: Oversee and enhance Mizuho Americas’ incident response program, ensuring rapid detection, containment, and resolution of security incidents. Lead operational teams to maintain a proactive security posture. Leverage AI to deliver
• Vulnerability Management Oversight: Direct the Vulnerability Management Program, prioritizing remediation efforts and ensuring regular assessments to minimize risk exposure.
• Data Loss Prevention Management: Lead the Data Loss Prevention (DLP) teams to protect sensitive data, prevent unauthorized access or transmission, and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.
• Global Cyber Fusion Center Development: Drive the design, implementation, and ongoing development of the Global Cyber Fusion Center, integrating threat intelligence, monitoring, and coordinated response capabilities.
• Framework Implementation: Ensure the adoption and continuous improvement of cybersecurity frameworks, policies, and procedures across all programs, in line with industry standards and best practices.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Engage with executive leadership, technology teams, and external partners to communicate risk, coordinate initiatives, and report on program effectiveness.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in cybersecurity, including at least 7 years in a senior leadership role within a large, complex organization (preferably in financial services).
• Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CISA, or equivalent are strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading incident response, vulnerability management, and data protection programs at scale.
• Experience developing and operating a Cyber Fusion Center or similar advanced security operations capability is highly desirable.

Skills and Competencies

• Exceptional leadership and team management abilities, with proven experience building and developing high-performing teams.
• Deep technical expertise in cybersecurity operations, threat intelligence, incident response, and risk management.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey complex topics to executive and technical audiences.
• Sound judgment, integrity, and commitment to upholding the highest standards of security and compliance.

Reporting Structure

The Managing Director, Cyber Defense, reports directly to the Mizuho Americas Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). This role oversees the Incident Response, Vulnerability Management, Data Loss Prevention, and Cyber Fusion Center teams.

The expected base salary ranges from $325k-$350k. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, and, where applicable, certifications and licenses obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered. In addition to salary and a generous employee benefits package, successful candidates are eligible to receive a discretionary bonus.

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Other requirements

Mizuho has in place a hybrid working program, with varying opportunities for remote work depending on the nature of the role, needs of your department, as well as local laws and regulatory obligations. Roles in some of our departments have greater in-office requirements that will be communicated to you as part of the recruitment process.   

Company Overview

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. is the 15th largest bank in the world as measured by total assets of ~$2 trillion. Mizuho's 60,000 employees worldwide offer comprehensive financial services to clients in 35 countries and 800 offices throughout the Americas, EMEA and Asia. Mizuho Americas is a leading provider of corporate and investment banking services to clients in the US, Canada, and Latin America. Through its acquisition of Greenhill​, Mizuho provides M&A, restructuring and private capital advisory capabilities across Americas, Europe and Asia. Mizuho Americas employs approximately 3,500 professionals, and its capabilities span corporate and investment banking, capital markets, equity and fixed income sales & trading, derivatives, FX, custody and research. Visit www.mizuhoamericas.com.​​

Mizuho Americas offers a competitive total rewards package.

We are an EEO/AA Employer - M/F/Disability/Veteran.

We participate in the E-Verify program.

We maintain a drug-free workplace and reserve the right to require pre- and post-hire drug testing as permitted by applicable law.

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