OT Cyber Security Practice Director

OT Cyber Security Practice Director

Where would you take an OT cybersecurity practice if you were responsible for its next chapter?

55 Exec Search is supporting a UK cybersecurity consultancy with the appointment of an OT Practice Director.

The remit combines business leadership, technical direction and responsibility for developing a multidisciplinary OT capability.

You’ll work with customers whose security decisions have consequences for operational continuity, industrial processes and essential services. Your role will be to understand those priorities, bring the right expertise together and build a practice that consistently delivers against them.

Your remit

You’ll translate market opportunity into a clear business plan, aligning service development, people and client activity around achievable priorities.

Working with the wider leadership team, you will:

• Develop the business: identify opportunities, strengthen partnerships and shape services that address customers’ evolving OT risks.
• Lead strategic accounts: build executive relationships, guide complex conversations and sponsor significant engagements.
• Create commercial momentum: work with sales and account teams on proposals, bids, new business and account expansion.
• Build organisational capability: develop technical leaders, coach consultants and establish the structures and career paths needed to support growth.
• Connect expertise across the business: bring together consulting, engineering and operational security teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Represent the practice: contribute to industry discussions, develop professional relationships and strengthen its market presence.

Growth, profitability, delivery quality and customer confidence will all form part of your responsibility.

The experience we’re looking for

You’ll have led an OT security practice, business unit or professional services function, with evidence of developing both its people and its commercial performance.

You understand how consulting businesses operate: how opportunities are qualified, engagements are scoped, resources are deployed and long-term relationships are earned.

Your OT knowledge gives you the confidence to challenge assumptions and guide specialists. You’ll understand industrial control environments and the practical considerations behind architecture, asset visibility, secure access, detection and incident response.

Experience applying IEC 62443, NCSC CAF and relevant regulatory frameworks will be important, alongside the ability to translate technical risk into clear business decisions.

You’ll also bring:

• Experience managing complex customers and senior stakeholders.
• A track record of mentoring, coaching and improving team performance.
• Evidence of developing propositions or opening new commercial opportunities.
• An established network within industrial cybersecurity or critical infrastructure.
• Relevant professional qualifications or equivalent expertise.

A background spanning consultancy and industry would be welcome.

The opportunity for you

This role offers scope to influence the business beyond individual engagements. You’ll help decide how the practice competes, where it invests its effort and how its people develop.

The package includes hybrid and flexible working, performance-related rewards, an employee share scheme, private healthcare and professional development support.

Client-site travel will be required. Applicants must hold SC clearance or be eligible and willing to undergo vetting.