Director, Network Security Operations

Pfizer • Sanford, NC

3d • $176,600 - $294,300 • Hybrid

About The Position

Our Global Cyber Defense team is responsible for safeguarding Pfizer’s digital assets and infrastructure through proactive threat detection, response, and risk mitigation across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. We are seeking an experienced Director, Network Security Operations to lead the day-to-day operations, monitoring, and continuous improvement of Pfizer’s network security capabilities. This individual is responsible for ensuring the resilience, availability, and performance of the network security services and controls that protect Pfizer’s global environment. The role provides leadership to operational teams responsible for supporting network security services, responding to security events, managing operational risk, and sustaining the performance of critical security technologies. The Director will drive operational excellence through effective governance, service performance management, incident response coordination, and continuous improvement. This individual will partner closely with network security engineering, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and other cross-functional teams to strengthen Pfizer’s overall security posture. The ideal candidate possesses strong leadership capabilities, deep expertise in network security operations, and a thorough understanding of Zero Trust principles and their practical application within a complex global enterprise environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field
• 8+ years of progressive experience in network security or cybersecurity roles
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing security teams or programs
• Expertise with enterprise security technologies (firewalls, SIEM, IDS/IPS, NAC, VPN)
• Strong understanding of cloud security (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
• Experience with incident response, risk management, and regulatory compliance
• Experience in large-scale or highly regulated environments
• Demonstrated experience in an agile work environment possessing qualities such as a collaborative mindset, adaptability to change, and a proactive problem-solving approach.
• Candidate demonstrates a breadth of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities including: the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact.

Nice To Haves

• Professional certifications: CISSP, CCNP, GIAC, or similar
• Excellent strategic thinking
• Deeply analytical and credible
• Fact-based decision-making
• Ability to challenge, influence, and support senior leadership
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to bring structure to vaguely defined problems and solve them with creative yet pragmatic approaches
• Resourceful, self-motivated, and proactive – strong drive for excellence

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute Pfizer’s long-term network security vision, roadmap, and policies with a particular focus on Zero Trust principles in partnership with the Network & Email Security Engineering lead.
• Provide strategic guidance to executive leadership on emerging threats, industry trends, and technology investments related to Pfizer’s network.
• Lead the day-to-day delivery, monitoring, and continuous improvement of Pfizer’s global network security operations, ensuring services and controls remain available, resilient, and effective.
• Lead and develop a high-performing, globally distributed team of network security operations professionals, fostering accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence.
• Oversee the operational management of network security technologies and services, including firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, virtual private networks, secure network access controls, and related capabilities.
• Direct the operational response to network security events and incidents, including investigation, escalation, containment, service restoration, and post-incident review.
• Ensure network security services and controls are operated in alignment with Pfizer requirements and applicable regulatory and industry frameworks, including NIST, ISO 27001, and CIS benchmarks.
• Define, monitor, and report key performance indicators, key risk indicators, service-level measures, and control effectiveness metrics to senior leadership.
• Identify and address operational risks, service gaps, recurring incidents, and performance issues through structured remediation and continuous service improvement.
• Partner closely with network security engineering, cybersecurity operations, infrastructure, and other cross-functional teams to transition new or enhanced capabilities into operations and strengthen detection, monitoring, and response.
• Oversee third-party providers and managed security services supporting network security operations, ensuring performance, accountability, and alignment with Pfizer’s operational and security requirements.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution
• paid vacation, holiday and personal days
• paid caregiver/parental and medical leave
• health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage
• Relocation assistance may be available

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director