Job Title: Information Security Lead – GRC & Security Awareness (Higher Education)
Location: Hybrid – Chicago, IL
Position Type: Full-Time
Salary: Up to $140,000
Overview
TalentFish is casting a line for an Information Security Lead focused on GRC and Security Awareness to support a university environment in Chicago. This is a newly created, hands-on role designed to embed practical cybersecurity practices into daily academic and administrative operations.
You will serve as a key driver of security awareness, risk management, and compliance activities—working directly with faculty, staff, and IT teams in a decentralized higher education environment.
What You Bring (Ideal Experience)
- Experience in higher education, research institutions, or academic environments strongly preferred
- 5–7+ years of experience in Information Security, GRC, Risk, or Security Awareness
- Strong working knowledge of FERPA, research data protections, and academic compliance requirements
- Hands-on experience supporting security awareness programs, risk assessments, and compliance initiatives
- Familiarity with NIST frameworks and other security governance standards
- Experience supporting audits, control testing, and remediation tracking
- Strong communication skills with the ability to engage non-technical stakeholders effectively
What You’ll Do
- Serve as a key security liaison across faculty, staff, IT, and university leadership
- Lead execution of security awareness and training programs tailored to academic and research audiences
- Support compliance with FERPA, NIST, and institutional security policies
- Conduct and support risk assessments, documenting findings and driving remediation efforts
- Partner with IT and business units to embed security practices into daily operations
- Assist with policy development, governance activities, and audit preparation
- Identify and address risks tied to research data, data sharing, and decentralized systems
Professional Strengths
- Strong hands-on execution mindset in GRC and security operations
- Ability to translate cybersecurity requirements into practical guidance for end users
- Comfortable working in decentralized, complex academic environments
- Strong relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills
- Balanced approach to risk management and operational usability
Compensation
Up to $140,000 base salary, depending on experience and qualifications.
Email Me: lgironda@talentfish.com
