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Chief Information Security Officer - Tech Risk & Cybersecurity

Hybrid in Boadilla del Monte·Full-time·Added 1 month ago (last checked 15 Oct)

Santander

74 open roles

Overview

Work mode
Hybrid, Boadilla del Monte
Contract
Full-time
English
Required
Experience
Senior level
Education
University degree
Benefits
Life insurance, gym access

Visa options

  • The ad doesn’t mention sponsorship

    No sponsorship mentioned, and this kind of work is rarely sponsored in Spain.

Find jobs with visa support

Skills

Nice to have

Requirements

Education & certifications

  • Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Security, Business Administration, or a related discipline. (Required)
  • CISSP, CISM, CISA, CRISC, CCSP, or equivalent certification. (Preferred)

Languages

  • English. (Required)

Pay & benefits

What you'll get

Your contribution matters, and it's recognized. You can expect a fair, competitive reward package that reflects the impact you create and the value you deliver. But we know rewards go beyond numbers.

We're enabling our teams to go beyond through global opportunities and broad career paths.

  • Flexibility that works. Enjoy a hybrid working model-some days remote, some days onsite with your team-along with flexible hours.
  • Learning for life. Access hundreds of courses on our platforms, including exclusive access to our global learning space: Santander Open Academy (www.santanderopenacademy.com)
  • Frontier exposure. Work directly with Anthropic, Sakana AI, AWS, CMU, ICMAT and INRIA. You will be at the cutting edge of agentic AI in European banking before the rest of the market knows it exists.
  • Research impact. If your work deserves a paper, we publish it. The lab has active publications on arXiv. This is not a research lab - but research is not off the table.
  • Competitive rewards. Receive a highly competitive salary with performance-based bonuses, motivating you to keep growing with us.
  • Financial advantages. Benefit from preferential banking terms, special interest rates on loans, life insurance, and more.
  • Your health is our priority. Through BeHealthy, our global wellness programme, we promote holistic wellbeing.
  • We know family is everything. That's why we offer childcare support and family-friendly programmes tailored to each life stage.
  • Always by your side. Get access to Santander Contigo, our program for employees and their families offering legal, emotional, and administrative advisory services.
  • Extra benefits. Gym/WellHub membership, medical centers in some of our facilities, meal subsidy, parking, shuttle service from various points in Madrid, as well as exclusive discounts and offers for Santander employees.

And that's only the beginning-we'll tell you more when you join!

We're here to keep you motivated, help you reach your goals, and celebrate your progress, every step of the way.

The role

Chief Information Security Officer - Tech Risk & CybersecurityCountry: Spain

Santander (www.santander.com) is evolving from a global, high-impact brand into a technology-driven organization, and our people are at the heart of this journey. Together, we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what's possible.

This is more than a strategic shift. It's a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference.

Our mission is to contribute to help more people and businesses prosper. We embrace a strong risk culture and all our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management.

Our Chief Data & Artificial Intelligence Officer (CDAIO) division is building a world-class AI & Data team to make a difference in the lives of over 170 million people worldwide, through one of the largest banks in the world.

We are undergoing one of the biggest transformations in our history and technology is at the heart of our strategy. Join our team to play a part in one of the most important technological projects for the financial sector in the world.

Chief Data & Artificial Intelligence Officer (CDAIO) is looking for a Chief Information Security Officer - Tech Risk & Cybersecurity based out of Boadilla del Monte (Madrid).

In this senior leadership role, you will enable the secure and responsible evolution of Data & AI across the division, strengthening cyber resilience, protecting critical data assets, and ensuring innovation is aligned with Group Cyber strategy, governance and regulatory expectations.

What you'll do

We're shaping the way we work through innovation, cutting-edge technology, collaboration and the freedom to explore new ideas. To succeed in this role, you will be responsible for:

  • Support the achievement of Data & AI strategic objectives by enabling secure innovation, managing cyber risk, and ensuring alignment with Group Cyber strategy, regulatory requirements, and security standards.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on cyber risk, resilience, security investment decisions, and the division's overall security posture.
  • Ensure effective cybersecurity governance, risk oversight, compliance, and regular executive reporting on cyber risk, incidents, remediation activities, and security posture.
  • Partner with Risk, Compliance, Legal, Audit, Privacy, Technology, and Business stakeholders to ensure alignment and effective risk management across the division.
  • Ensure the implementation of cybersecurity controls, standards, and security-by-design principles across Data & AI initiatives and the protection of critical data assets throughout their lifecycle.
  • Monitor emerging cyber threats and cybersecurity trends, defining mitigation strategies that strengthen the division's cyber resilience.
  • Support audits, regulatory reviews, security assessments, and remediation activities, ensuring compliance with internal policies and external regulatory requirements.
  • Ensure AI capabilities are deployed in line with Group governance, security standards, and regulatory expectations, promoting the secure and responsible adoption of Data & AI technologies across the organization.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

Our people are our greatest strength. Every individual contributes unique perspectives that make us stronger as a team and as an organization. We're enabling teams to go beyond by valuing who they are and empowering what they bring.

The following requirements represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for success in this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Professional Experience

  • Significant experience in senior cybersecurity, technology risk, information security, or cyber governance leadership roles. (Required)
  • Experience operating in large, complex, and regulated environments. (Required)

Hard Skills

  • Strong knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks and standards such as ISO 27001, NIST, and COBIT. (Required)
  • Deep understanding of cyber risk management, security governance, cloud security, and regulatory compliance. (Required)
  • Knowledge of modern Data & AI ecosystems, including analytics, machine learning, data platforms, and emerging AI technologies. (Required)
  • Awareness of evolving cyber threats and cybersecurity trends. (Required)

Soft Skills

  • Strong strategic thinking and decision-making capabilities. (Required)
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence executive audiences and drive organizational change. (Required)
  • Strong leadership, collaboration, and people management capabilities. (Required)
  • High integrity, resilience, and a proactive, risk-based mindset. (Required)

Hiring process

2 steps2 interviews
  1. Application

  2. CV screening · With recruitment team

  3. Phone call

    With People & Culture team · Phone call · 20 min

    A short call about your motivation and the details of the role.

  4. Interviews

    Virtual or in-person conversations about your experience, expectations and the value you could bring.

  5. Background check

  6. Offer

  • Santander suggests exploring the company on its website and LinkedIn before applying.
  • The Spanish version of the page lists the same eight steps.

Hiring process

If this sounds like a role you are interested in, then please apply.

About Santander

Banco Santander is a global financial services group headquartered in Boadilla del Monte, Spain, and one of the largest banks in the eurozone by market value. It operates across retail and commercial banking, wealth management, and investment banking (through its CIB division, Santander Corporate & Investment Banking), with a strong focus on digital transformation and fintech innovation. The group serves over 160 million customers worldwide and employs more than 200,000 people, with a significant technology and operations hub in Spain.

In Spain, Santander is a dominant financial institution and a major employer of tech, data, and business talent, with its main technology and operations center in Boadilla del Monte (Madrid area) and additional offices in cities like Barcelona and Santander. The company is actively investing in AI, cybersecurity, and digital product development, making it a relevant destination for international professionals seeking roles in banking, engineering, and data. Its global scale and English-friendly corporate environment, especially in CIB and technology teams, offer strong opportunities for relocators.

Industry
Banking and Fintech
Founded
1857
Employees
100,000–500,000
Headquarters
Boadilla del Monte, Spain
In Spain
Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Barcelona

Good to know if you are moving

  • Santander is headquartered in Boadilla del Monte, near Madrid, and offers a large, international work environment with English commonly used in tech and CIB roles.
  • The company has a strong commitment to digital transformation, with significant investment in AI, cybersecurity, and data engineering, creating opportunities for tech professionals.
  • Santander provides relocation support and has a diverse workforce, with employees from many nationalities, especially in its technology and operations centers.
  • The bank's global presence means opportunities for international mobility and career growth across its many subsidiaries.
  • Working at Santander in Spain offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including flexible working arrangements and professional development programs.

In their own words

Additional information

Santander is proud of being an organization where there are equal opportunities regardless of age, gender, disability, civil status, race, religion or sexual orientation. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible application process for all candidates.

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