Sr. Director, Cyber Defense
- United States - Pennsylvania - Collegeville
- United States - New York - New York City
ROLE SUMMARY
Our Cyber Defense team is the frontline of Pfizer’s cybersecurity operations, responsible for detecting, investigating, and responding to threats that could impact the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our systems and data. This team leads critical functions including Security Operations Center (SOC) monitoring, incident response, digital forensics, penetration testing, threat intelligence, host security, platform support, and security automation.
This leader will oversee enterprise-wide efforts in vulnerability management, threat intelligence, red teaming, SOC operations, incident response, insider risk, and secure network and cloud architecture. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in cyber operations, threat management, and security architecture, with a proven track record of driving large-scale, cross-functional cybersecurity programs. This role requires strong leadership, operational rigor, and the ability to translate technical risk into business-aligned strategies.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Define and execute a comprehensive strategy for the Cyber Security Posture Management, Network Security, Cloud Security, and Cyber Defense programs aligned with Pfizer’s cybersecurity vision and business priorities.
- Develop and manage budgets, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and effective allocation of resources. Monitor expenditures, forecast future budget needs and identify opportunities for cost optimization.
- Serve as a key advisor to the CISO and senior leadership on threat trends, operational readiness, and incident response posture.
- Lead the transformation of legacy cybersecurity systems and drive the implementation of modern security practices across the organization.
- Oversee the global cyber defense program, inclusive of the 24x7 SOC, ensuring proactive threat detection, effective monitoring, alert triage, and coordinated incident response.
- Direct the strategy and execution of Pfizer’s cloud security program, ensuring robust controls across identity and access management, encryption, monitoring, and compliance,
- Lead a proactive vulnerability management program, including scanning, prioritization, remediation, and executive reporting.
- Partner with IT and business units to ensure timely resolution of critical vulnerabilities and alignment with enterprise risk tolerance.
- Drive the strategy and implementation of network security controls, including segmentation, firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention, and secure remote access.
- Ensure continuous monitoring and protection of Pfizer’s global network infrastructure against emerging threats.
- Lead and mentor high-performing teams across Cyber Posture Management, Network Security, Cloud Security, and Cyber Defense.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field with 12 -15+ years of experience in cybersecurity, with at least 8 years in leadership roles overseeing enterprise-wide cyber operations.
- Proven expertise in multiple cybersecurity domains, including vulnerability management, threat intelligence, SOC operations, incident response, insider risk network security, and cloud security.
- Strong understanding of security architecture and technologies such as firewalls, IDS/IPS, WAF, DDoS mitigation, SIEM, SOAR, and cloud-native security tools.
- Extensive understanding of the Crowdstrike suite, including its capabilities for SIEM, EDR and threat intelligence
- Professional certifications such as CISSP, GIAC (e.g., GCIA, GCIH), CISM, or equivalent.
- Demonstrated ability to translate technical risk into business-aligned strategies and communicate effectively with executive stakeholders.
- Deep familiarity with threat modeling frameworks and adversary simulation methodologies (e.g., MITRE ATT&CK, red/purple teaming).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with Wiz for cloud security management, including configuration, monitoring, and reporting.
- Experience with Zscaler for secure network access, including implementation, configuration, and performance optimization.
- Experience leading modernization initiatives and transforming legacy cybersecurity systems.
- Demonstrated experience negotiating multi-million dollar contracts with vendors and strategic partners.
- Experience working abroad and leading global cybersecurity initiatives across multiple regions.
NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
- Periodic international and domestic travel may be required (less than 5%).
- Work Location Assignment: Must be able to work in the assigned office 2-3 days per week, or as needed by the business.
- This role is NOT remote.
Last Date to Apply for Job: 2/20/2026
Additional Posting Location: New York, NY
Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.
Sunshine Act
Pfizer reports payments and other transfers of value to health care providers as required by federal and state transparency laws and implementing regulations. These laws and regulations require Pfizer to provide government agencies with information such as a health care provider’s name, address and the type of payments or other value received, generally for public disclosure. Subject to further legal review and statutory or regulatory clarification, which Pfizer intends to pursue, reimbursement of recruiting expenses for licensed physicians may constitute a reportable transfer of value under the federal transparency law commonly known as the Sunshine Act. Therefore, if you are a licensed physician who incurs recruiting expenses as a result of interviewing with Pfizer that we pay or reimburse, your name, address and the amount of payments made currently will be reported to the government. If you have questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your Talent Acquisition representative.
EEO & Employment Eligibility
Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Pfizer is an E-Verify employer. This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.
Pfizer endeavors to make www.pfizer.com/careers accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process and/or interviewing, please email disabilityrecruitment@pfizer.com. This is to be used solely for accommodation requests with respect to the accessibility of our website, online application process and/or interviewing. Requests for any other reason will not be returned.
Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives
Research confirms what intuition tells us: that purpose-driven companies perform better, are more innovative, attract and retain the best people, and know how to unleash the power of those people. Pfizer’s purpose—Breakthroughs that change patients' lives—fuels everything we do and reflects our passion for building on our legacy as one of the greatest contributors of good to the world.
Each word in our purpose has meaning and reflects the value we strive to bring to patients and society:
“Breakthroughs” - These are the innovations, scientific and commercial, that we seek to deliver every day. All colleagues, regardless of role, level or location, strive for breakthroughs every day.
“Change” - We want to do more than simply improve patients’ medical conditions; we want to dramatically change their lives for the better.
“Patients’ lives” - We consider not only patients, but everyone they touch—including their families, caregivers, and friends—and everything they love to do. It’s an intentionally holistic view.
Our purpose ensures that patients remain at the center of all we do. We live our purpose by sourcing the best science in the world; partnering with others in the healthcare system to improve access to our medicines; using digital technologies to enhance our drug discovery and development, as well as patient outcomes; and leading the conversation to advocate for pro-innovation/pro-patient policies.
Every decision we make and every action we take is done with the patient in mind—and to nurture an environment where breakthroughs can thrive.
Our Values
To fully realize Pfizer’s purpose, we have established a clear set of expectations regarding “what” we need to achieve for patients and “how” we will go about achieving those goals.
The “how” is represented by four simple, powerful values—courage, excellence, equity, and joy—that define our company and our culture.
Courage: Breakthroughs start by challenging convention, especially in the face of uncertainty or adversity. This happens when we think big, speak up, and are decisive.
Excellence: We can only change patients’ lives when we perform at our best together. This happens when we focus on what matters, agree who does what, and measure our outcomes.
Equity: We believe that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and cared for. This happens when we are inclusive, act with integrity, and reduce healthcare disparities.
Joy: We give ourselves to our work, but it also gives to us. We find joy when we take pride, recognize one another, and have fun.
Pfizer Digital
Pfizer Digital takes immense pride in being at the forefront of innovation, harnessing cutting-edge smart technology that profoundly impacts the lives of our patients.
With the transformative potential of digital solutions, we revolutionize how we discover, develop, and deliver medicines, enabling us to achieve breakthroughs faster and more efficiently.
By streamlining and automating transactional processes, we create valuable time and resources, empowering our talented team to focus on meaningful work that truly makes a difference in healthcare and beyond.
Benefits at Pfizer
Pfizer offers competitive compensation and benefits programs designed to meet the diverse needs of our colleagues. Our Pay for Performance Philosophy and Practices reward colleagues based on the contributions they make to our business.
Our Competitive Benefits Programs help our colleagues by:
- Promoting Health and Wellness to help colleagues maintain and improve their physical and mental wellbeing. Pfizer offerings include health and disability insurance, preventative health programs, medical screenings, free or reduced-cost vaccinations, discounts on Pfizer products, mental health support, nutrition and fitness counseling and more.
- Strengthening Colleagues’ Financial Security by providing company contributions to retirement plans, life insurance and financial planning education to help colleagues achieve their financial goals.
- Providing Benefits and Time off for the Moments that Matter to ensure Pfizer colleagues have the time away from the office to recharge, recover and return to work as the best version of themselves. Vacation, Holiday time and Sick time are just the beginning, with a 12 week parental leave policy for both parents of a new born, 10 day of caregiver leave for those times when your family needs you whether it’s a child, spouse or parent, bereavement leave, and additional country-specific programs.
- And so much more, depending on your country and site, Pfizer offers childcare facilities or discount programs, on-site health and/or fitness centers, movement and mindfulness solutions, “Log in for your Day” work flexibility and so much more.
For U.S. based jobs, view an overview of Pfizer’s U.S. benefits program (opens in a new window)