Chief Information Security Officer - Tech Risk & Cybersecurity

IT STARTS HERE

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.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

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.

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)

Education

• 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)

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)

WE VALUE YOUR IMPACT

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.

LOCAL COMPLIANCE

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.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

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

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN YOUR JOURNEY?