Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

We are seeking a strategic, pragmatic Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to lead our information security program and corporate IT operations. This is a pivotal leadership role for a security executive who cares deeply about protecting users, data, and systems while enabling innovation and growth that results in great employee and consumer experiences.

Reporting to the CTO, the CISO will partner closely with executive leadership, Engineering, Product, Legal, and Business teams to build a scalable, resilient security and IT organization. You’ll play a critical role in safeguarding a platform that serves millions of student-athletes, families, and fans nationwide, while supporting a growing, distributed workforce of 500+ employees.

The Outcomes You’ll Deliver

Comprehensive Security Program - Evolve and maintain governance, policies, and controls aligned with industry frameworks such as NIST CSF, ISO 27001, and CIS Controls, creating a durable and scalable security program. Compliance Management - Lead SOC 2 Type II certification, maintain PCI DSS compliance, and manage data privacy controls and compliance efforts Secure Multi-Product Platform: Maintain and strengthen security across our integrated ecosystem (GoFan, NFHS Network, MaxPreps, PlayOn HQ) supporting 600K+ streaming events and 700K+ ticketing events annually Deliver Modern IT Solutions - Lead secure, reliable, and user-friendly IT operations that enable productivity for a distributed workforce, with a strong focus on identity, endpoint security, and employee experience. Build and Scale Teams - Hire, develop, and lead high-performing teams across security engineering, operations, compliance, and corporate IT. Proactive Risk Management - Own the company’s cybersecurity risk posture by balancing protection with speed and business needs when identifying, prioritizing, and addressing threats.

In this role, you can expect to Serve as the PlayOn’s senior security leader and trusted advisor to the CTO and executive team on all security, privacy, compliance, and IT matters Model ethical stewardship of privileged access by using exceptional judgment that guides use of authority responsibly and transparently, solely in service of legitimate security, compliance, and organizational trust Develop and execute an information security strategy aligned with business objectives, platform evolution, and regulatory requirements Manage security throughout the SDLC through secure coding practices, architectural reviews, DevSecOps, and automated security testing (SAST, DAST, SCA), Lead executive response to major security incidents, including crisis coordination, communications, and post-incident improvements Participate in IT and Security due diligence and integration activities in support of M&A activity Own corporate IT operations, including identity and access management, endpoint management, service desk, onboarding/offboarding, and collaboration tooling Manage IT service management practices (ITSM) with clear SLAs and a strong focus on employee experience Lead compliance initiatives including SOC 2 audits, PCI DSS assessments, penetration testing, third-party risk management, and data privacy committee Define and track meaningful security and IT metrics, reporting regularly to the executive team and Board of Directors Partner with Engineering, Product, Legal, HR, and Business teams to balance security rigor with product velocity, innovation, and employee productivity Drive security awareness training programs and drive security culture across the organization Stay ahead of emerging threats, technologies, and best practices to continuously improve PlayOn’s security posture

To thrive in this role, you have 12+ years of information security experience with deep expertise in application, cloud, and infrastructure security 5+ years in senior security leadership roles (CISO, VP/Director of Security), including building and scaling security programs Experience leading corporate IT operations or working closely with IT leadership in modern, cloud-first environments Proven track record leading SOC 2 Type II, PCI DSS, or similar compliance certifications in growth-stage technology companies Strong background with cloud security (AWS preferred), DevSecOps, automation, and modern security tooling Hands-on experience with enterprise IT systems including identity providers (Okta, Azure AD), MDM/UEM, ITSM platforms, and SaaS management Excellent communication skills, with experience presenting to executive leadership, and Boards A people-first leadership style, with a track record of building inclusive, high-performing teams Experience with consumer platforms, data privacy (e.g., CPPA) and compliance, payment, streaming media, and M&A diligence preferred Strong business judgment, including budget ownership, vendor management, and third-party risk assessment Education: BS in Computer Science, Information Security, or related field. Professional security certifications (CISSP, CISM, CISA) strongly preferred

How You Play Ownership over Participation- You take responsibility for achieving holistic outcomes, prioritize key objectives, and adapt quickly when situations require a different approach. You follow through even against the toughest challenges. Team over Stars- You are a bridge builder, establishing processes and relationships with teams outside your own. You work to rally around common goals, find win-win solutions, compromise when necessary, and help others succeed. Growth over Comfort- You are driven by a desire to grow and actively seek opportunities to expand your comfort zone, skills, and confidence. You embrace new challenges with curiosity, accepting discomfort and failure as opportunities to learn. Fairness over Popularity- You approach decisions with a scientist’s mindset, challenging your assumptions and remaining objective. You consider long-term impact rather than relying on short-term gains, proactively seek others’ perspectives, and manage emotions in decision-making.