Information Security Lead, Mergers and Acquisitions

Company Description

Company Overview

Informa is a leading international events, intelligence, and scholarly research group.

Through hundreds of powerful brands, we work with businesses and professionals in specialist markets, providing the connections, intelligence and opportunities that help customers grow, do business, make breakthroughs, and take better informed decisions.

Informa is a successful and diverse FTSE 100 business that has been built over the past twenty years through a mix of organic growth and acquisition. Informa is transforming itself to increase digital capability and the mix of revenues, with the expectation that far higher proportions of revenue are derived from new digital products and through the sales of all products through digital channels.

Equally, as a contemporary B2B provider of solutions and services, we anticipate the need to enable customer touchpoints through digitalising processes that are currently offline, and through shaping and establishing a digital ecosystem over the next 5 years, whilst firmly establishing our position within it, thereby providing our B2B customers with end-to-end go-to-market solutions. This has resulted in strategic programmes like GAP II, focused on a digital acceleration and associated investment and the Unifying Technology Programme, focused on transforming the Technology Operating Model.

Technology Solutions & Services

• Global Support is Informa’s fifth division, with major service hubs in the United Kingdom, the United States, Hong Kong, and Singapore as well as several smaller locations. Global Support colleagues provide shared, efficient business services and function-specific expertise to each of Informa’s operating divisions, enabling our commercial teams to focus on their markets and customers.
• Technology Solutions & Services is a key function within Global Support, with responsibility for the management and evolution of the key enterprise technology disciplines that underpin day to day business operations including Strategy & Technology Change, Enterprise Architecture, Enterprise Technology, Customer Technology, Technology Operations, and Information Security.

The Technology function is embarking on a clear roadmap for the modernisation of legacy services whilst developing new platforms, solutions and techniques that transform the department into an enabler of reliable, scalable, and secure services that support Informa’s digital agenda and diverse customer landscape, through the Unifying Technology Programme. We recognise the need for change and have a good understanding of where we need to get to. We need people to help us shape, solve problems and deliver the change agenda. Ensuring that we are seen as a trusted partner to our business colleagues.

Job Description

Purpose of the Role & Team Profile

The Information Security Lead, Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) is responsible for directing the Information Security aspects of mergers and acquisitions activities, including due diligence, integration, and divestiture. The Information Security Lead, M&A will work closely with the M&A team, business units, and external partners to identify, assess, and mitigate information security risks and ensure compliance with expected policies and standards.

We are looking for a hands-on Information Security Lead with strong wide background in Information Security, and specifically in acquisition and divestments related to Information Security.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Manage the information security due diligence process for potential M&A targets, including conducting security assessments, reviewing security documentation, and validating security controls.
• Identify and prioritise security risks and gaps and provide mitigation strategies and action plans.
• Coordinate and execute security integration or separation activities
• Communicate and report on security status, issues, and risks to senior management and relevant parties.
• Develop and maintain security documentation, such as security plans, checklists, and guidelines.
• Manage the continuous improvement of the security M&A process and best practices.
• Develop and execute information security integration plans for acquired entities, ensuring alignment with the security strategy, architecture, and best practices.
• Coordinate the information security aspects of divestiture activities
• Provide information security guidance and support to the M&A team, business units, and external partners throughout the M&A lifecycle.
• Manage information security risks and issues related to M&A activities and escalate as appropriate.
• Monitor and report on the information security status and performance of M&A activities and provide recommendations for improvement.
• In addition to the responsibilities outlined above, the Information Security Lead, Mergers and Acquisitions will also be expected to support the CISO with other Information Security demand during downtimes, as needed.

The M&A Information Security Lead will work closely with the Group CISO and the Information Security Management Team

Key Outputs and Outcomes

• Thorough Information Security due diligence complete
• Identify and report on security risks and gaps
• Coordination and execute of Information Security integration or separation activities
• Deliver continuous improvement of the Information Security M&A processes

Measures of Success 

• Successful completion of Information Security due diligence
• Information Security risks identified and reported earlier in the due diligence phase
• Manage the successful coordination and execution of Information Security integration or separation activities
• Delivered continued improvement of the Information Security M&A processes

Qualifications

What we’re looking for

The ideal candidate profile will include the following points:

• 5+ years in a similar role in a large complex international organisation
• The ability to interact with Informa colleagues, build good relationships at all levels and across all business units and organisations, and the ability of influence stakeholders of all levels
• Highly self-motivated and directed, with keen attention to detail
• Good knowledge of Security frameworks including ISO27001/NIST/SANs
• Experience of working at scale across multiple technology and business domains
• Proven stakeholder management in large and complex business
• Demonstrated curiosity and innovative thinking with a passion for problem-solving
• Self–discipline and willingness to learn new skills, tools and technologies
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Candidates should be working in the security industry or certified if one or several areas of security, including Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified

Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Systems Security Certified Professional (SSCP)

Additional Information

Employee experience is very important to us at Informa. On top of joining a supportive, diverse and ambitious team that welcomes all types of candidates, we make every effort to offer flexible working patterns and prioritise promotion opportunities for internal candidates. Our benefits include:  

• A tailored learning and development plan and access to online material to support your career development    
• 25 days annual leave, 4 days for volunteering and a day off for your birthday!   
• Competitive Benefits package including pension, healthcare and a range of wellbeing benefits 
• Share-Match options so you can become a shareholder    
• Regular social events and networking opportunities  
• Flexible working environment
• Central office in Blackfriars, close to mainline and Underground stations, an onsite gym and restaurant, and a variety of amenities nearby

We know that sometimes the 'perfect candidate' doesn't exist, and that people can be put off applying for a job if they don't fit all the requirements. If you're excited about working for us and have most of the skills or experience we're looking for, please go ahead and apply. You could be just what we need! We believe strongly in the value of diversity and creating supportive, inclusive environments where our colleagues can succeed.  As such, Informa is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, ancestry, national origin, religion, or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, citizenship, or other protected characteristics under local law.    This role may also be available on a flexible working or part time basis – please ask the Talent Acquisition team for more information