Principle Security Research Program Manager Team Lead – Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Come and be part of the team building one of Microsoft’s most exciting security products, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (MDE). As cyber-attacks have become more sophisticated, MDE helps enterprises detect, investigate, and automatically disrupt advanced attacks and data breaches on their networks.  From detecting and disrupting nation state actors to huge ransomware actors in action, our research team brings deep knowledge of the attacker landscape and tradecraft to create the innovations necessary to uncover and protect against even the most well-funded attacker. 

We are seeking a seasoned Security Research Program Managers Team Lead to join our forward-thinking team focused on advancing security research for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. In this role, you will lead a team of Research Program Managers responsible for driving research initiatives aimed at identifying, analyzing, and mitigating security threats in organizations protected by Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Your leadership will be instrumental in shaping our research strategy, guiding program managers, and ensuring the success of our security product development efforts.

Responsibilities

• Team Leadership: Lead and mentor a team of Research Program Managers, providing strategic direction, guidance, and support in executing security research programs effectively.
• Security Research Project Management: Oversee the development and execution of research programs aimed at emerging security threats, vulnerabilities, and attack vectors content relevant to our products and customers threat landscape.
• Strategy Development: Collaborate with senior leadership to develop and refine the organization's security research strategy, ensuring alignment with product roadmaps and business objectives.
• OKR and KPI Management: Define and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) for the security research team, leveraging data-driven insights to measure program effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.
• Security Knowledge: Possess deep expertise in security principles, protocols, and technologies, with a focus on product security and threat research methodologies.
• People Management: Provide leadership and mentorship to Research Program Managers, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration within the team.
• Program Management Methodologies: Utilize program management methodologies, such as Agile or Scrum, to effectively plan, execute, and monitor research initiatives and projects.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or an equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in cybersecurity, with a focus on security research and program management.
• Proven leadership experience, with a track record of successfully managing and developing teams of research program managers.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop and execute research strategies that support product development objectives.
• Experience with defining and tracking OKRs and KPIs to measure team and program performance.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to effectively interact with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep understanding of Endpoint Security products
• Relevant certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM, CEH, PMP) are a plus.
  
  

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Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.