Senior Manager – SOC Operations

Job Description: Senior Manager – SOC OperationsRole OverviewWe are seeking an experienced, hands-on Senior Manager to lead our Security Operations Center (SOC). The ideal candidate will bring deep technical expertise, proven leadership experience, and a track record of building, optimizing, and maturing SOC functions. This individual will play a critical role in enhancing our security posture, driving automation and innovation, and ensuring 24/7 monitoring, detection, and response capabilities.Experience Required: 10+ years in Security Operations Center (SOC) rolesKey ResponsibilitiesSOC Leadership & Operations- Lead and manage a multi-tiered SOC team, overseeing daily monitoring, alert analysis, incident response, and threat hunting operations. - Define and implement SOC strategy aligned with organizational risk appetite, business objectives, and compliance requirements. - Act as the primary point of contact for internal stakeholders, external clients, auditors, and technology vendors.SIEM & Logging Architecture- Oversee design, deployment, and optimization of SIEM solutions, including custom log collector development (Python) and log integration from diverse sources. - Architect and maintain robust logging and auditing frameworks to ensure comprehensive security visibility and forensic readiness.Use Case & Content Engineering- Direct the creation, finetuning, and management of SOC use cases: detection rules, threat hunting queries, dashboards, and reports. - Implement MITRE ATT&CK Framework for adversary mapping, threat modeling, and continuous improvement of detection logic.SOAR & Automation- Lead SOAR tool design, deployment, and ongoing tuning, including automated playbook and workflow development. - Leverage AI/ML (LLM agentic frameworks) to automate alert triage, analysis, and investigation processes. - Create, optimize, and document SOC automation scripts (primarily in Python) for log collection, enrichment, and task orchestration.Incident Management & Forensics- Oversee all phases of incident response, from alert triage through investigation and resolution. - Develop and maintain comprehensive SOPs for alert analysis and incident investigation. - Lead forensic investigations of major breaches, ensuring timely root cause analysis and SLA-driven incident reporting.Compliance & Audit- Align SOC operations with NIST, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS standards. - Prepare for, participate in, and support internal and external audits; ensure timely closure of findings and continuous compliance. - Conduct regular assessments of security controls, participate in BAS/Red Team activities, and drive remediation initiatives.Training & Team Development- Mentor and develop SOC analysts, engineers, and leads; foster a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing. - Conduct regular training sessions on alert analysis, investigation methodologies, and risk mitigation strategies.Stakeholder Engagement- Liaise with business leaders, IT teams, and clients to understand requirements, communicate risks, and provide regular status updates. - Serve as the escalation point for critical incidents and operational issues.Technology Evaluation & Risk Management- Evaluate, select, and review security tools for SOC operations. - Maintain high scores on security risk management platforms (e.g., BitSight, Security Scorecard) through proactive risk mitigation.Required Skills & Experience- 10+ years in SOC roles: Analyst, SOC Engineer, Lead, and Manager. - Deep expertise in SIEM, logging/auditing, and custom log collection (Python scripting). - Hands-on experience with SOAR tools, automation workflow design, and playbook development. - Advanced knowledge of use case engineering, MITRE ATT&CK implementation, and detection logic finetuning. - Proven ability to develop, implement, and improve alert/incident SOPs. - Demonstrated success in forensic investigations and incident reporting. - Strong track record in supporting and passing internal and external audits. - Working knowledge of NIST, ISO27001, PCI DSS compliance. - Experience administering BAS tools, conducting Red Team assessments, and developing remediation strategies. - Excellent programming skills in Python for SOC automation and enrichment. - Experience with AI/ML/LLM-based security automation is highly desirable. - Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.Certifications (Preferred)- CISSP, CISM, or equivalent - SANS GIAC (GCIA, GCFA, GCIH) or similar - ISO 27001 Lead Implementer/Auditor - Azure/AWS Security certifications