Deputy global infrastructure and security operations leader

Job Role : Deputy Global Infrastructure and Security Operations Leader Location Willing to relocate to Pune, Coimbatore, or Bengaluru, with international impact. Hybrid/Remote with frequent travel to global time zones, on-call rotations. Reporting Line Reporting to the Director of Global Infrastructure & Security Operations at i Merit Technology, and works closely with the Chief Information Officer (CIO) & Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Chief Delivery Officer, and Global Sales and Marketing (GSM), as well as the Chief Finance Officer. Role Summary As the Deputy Global Infrastructure & Security Operations Lead, you will serve as the right-hand to the Director of Global Infrastructure and Security Operations Lead at i Merit Technology, in delivering and maintaining mission-critical infrastructure services and enterprise security operations across diverse geographies and business units. You will combine strategic leadership with hands-on operational oversight of automation and infrastructure (networks, cloud, datacenter, endpoints, service delivery), global security operations (cybersecurity monitoring, incident response, threat intelligence, resilience), and large-scale service management. This role demands a seasoned infrastructure and security executive who can seamlessly integrate infrastructure reliability, scalability, security posture, business continuity and governance to support the enterprise’s global mission. Key Responsibilities Modernize and drive new innovative solutions and industry best practices that help build efficiency and effectiveness of the IIS function in taking IIS automation and infrastructure to the next level. Co-develop and execute the global strategy and roadmap for infrastructure and security operations: including hybrid/multi-cloud architecture, global network fabric, datacenter operations, endpoint services, Dev Ops/SRE frameworks, security operations centre (SOC) enhancements, threat operations, incident response, and resilience. Provide leadership and oversight of the global infrastructure & security operations functions: managing engineering, operations, monitoring, incident management, vendor/partner ecosystems, service delivery, and security controls. Ensure global infrastructure environments (on-premises, private cloud, public cloud) are secure, resilient, high-performing, and aligned with business objectives. Collaborate with the CIO & CISO and the GRC team on risk management stakeholders to ensure that security operations (threat detection, incident response, vulnerability management, compliance, and access governance) are fully integrated with infrastructure operations. Drive continuous improvement of service delivery: establish and track global SLAs/OLAs, define metrics/KPIs, perform root-cause analysis and remediation, implement automation and operational excellence across infrastructure and security operations (e.g., infrastructure as code, security automation, configuration management). Lead and develop a globally distributed team of operations engineers, security analysts, service managers, and vendors/outsourcers—fostering a high-performance, globally conscious culture. Oversee global vendor/partner management: manage contracts, service levels, performance reviews, cost optimization, and sourcing strategies for infrastructure & security services. Ensure business continuity, disaster recovery, and incident preparedness across global operations by defining and testing recovery plans, coordinating pan-regional incident responses, and engaging in crisis management. Collaborate with architecture, engineering, production, and business teams to ensure infrastructure/security services enable business agility and innovation—not become the bottleneck. Manage budget and resources for global infrastructure & security operations: forecast spend, optimize cost, deliver value, and ensure resource alignment. Maintain awareness of emerging infrastructure technologies (cloud/edge/hybrid), security threats (cyber, insider, supply chain), regulatory/compliance requirements, and ensure proactive adaptation of the organization’s posture. Required Qualifications & Skills Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or related field (Master’s preferred). Minimum ~10–15 years of leadership experience with global automation infrastructure operations and/or security operations across multi-national/complex organizations (experience from roles in infrastructure, cyber security, operations leadership) — consistent with the scope of the role. For example, roles with global infrastructure & security responsibility, such as those found in large institutions. Deep technical knowledge of infrastructure domains: multi-cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP), datacenter, networking, storage, servers, endpoint management, identity & access management, orchestration, and automation. Strong background in security operations: incident response, threat detection/monitoring, vulnerability management, forensics, security architecture, compliance frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001). Demonstrated ability to lead globally distributed teams, handle 24/7 operations, work across time zones, and manage cultural and regional differences. Strategic mindset with hands-on operational execution—able to translate strategy into action, and swiftly shift from strategic planning to incident response/operational execution. For example, roles at the International Monetary Fund emphasise this skill. Strong vendor and partner management skills: able to negotiate, manage SLAs/OLAs, optimize cost-performance, and hold service providers accountable. Experience with service management frameworks (e.g., ITIL), global service delivery metrics, dashboards, and operational KPIs. Excellent communication, influencing, stakeholder management—including at executive/senior leadership level. Able to present complex security/infrastructure topics in business language. Strong budgeting and resource planning skills: responsible for operational and capital budgets across infrastructure/security domains. Certifications preferred, such as CISSP, CISM, CISA, ITIL, or equivalent. Demonstrated leadership as a “servant leader” and passion for protecting data security and privacy for organizations and their clients. Preferred Qualifications Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning Automation experience MBA or advanced degree in technology management, business administration, or relevant field (aligns with your MBA in Technology Management). Prior military/defense/government experience or understanding of defense-grade infrastructure and security operations (which aligns with your US Army Reserve experience). Experience in highly regulated industries (finance, government, healthcare) where data privacy and robust security operations are critical. Experience with global mergers/acquisitions or integration of infrastructure and security operations across entities. Hands-on experience with infrastructure automation (Ia C, Ansible, Terraform), SRE/Dev Ops practices, security automation, SOC/SIEM maturity, zero trust architecture. Organizational Fit & Culture The ideal candidate embraces a global mindset, is comfortable operating across continents, can articulate the problem statement, brief well, be a good fit for the i Merit Technology culture, and 24/7 environments. Demonstrates integrity, transparency, and a mission-first attitude: someone who truly puts protection of systems, data, and people at the heart of their work (resonating with your “Protect and defend those who cannot” principle). Servant leader: develops teams, mentors future leaders, fosters collaboration, values diversity of thought, and lifts others. Comfort working in ambiguity and lead through transformation: as infrastructure/security operations evolve rapidly (cloud shift, edge, AI/ML in SOCs, remote/hybrid workforce), you must serve as both strategist and executor. Success Metrics High global infrastructure availability and reliability metrics (e.g., 99.9%+ uptime across critical services). Reduced incident volume, improved incident response times, and reduced mean-time-to-resolve (MTTR) for critical security events. Demonstrable improvements in security posture (e.g., reduced vulnerability backlog, increased threat detection coverage, positive audit outcomes). Vendor/service provider performance improves (SLAs met, cost reductions achieved, service quality increased). Effctive execution of business continuity/disaster recovery plans with successful tests and minimal business disruption. Budget efficiency: cost optimisations realized without compromising service or security. Team engagement and development: high retention of top talent, clear leadership pipeline, globally consistent delivery. Why This Role is Critical In a world where organizations operate global infrastructures, hybrid clouds, and face ever-evolving cyber threats, the Deputy Global Infrastructure & Security Operations Lead is a linchpin role. It ensures that infrastructure underpins business growth securely and reliably, and that security operations scale in tandem with business expansion. By serving as both the infrastructure operations leader and a senior security operations partner, this role ensures the enterprise is resilient, agile, compliant, and able to defend itself—and its people—against threats. Closing If you’re a strategic infrastructure & security executive who thrives in global, high-stakes environments, has a passion for leadership and protecting data, and wants to make a meaningful impact on the organization’s global operations and security posture, then this is the role for you.