Overview
NYPL Technology supports the Library’s mission through robust IT services, including business applications, desktop support, networking, systems, and cybersecurity. The Cybersecurity team safeguards personally identifiable information (PII) and critical systems across the Library.

The Associate Director, Cybersecurity is a hands-on technical leader responsible for NYPL’s cybersecurity operations and team. This role requires both strategic oversight and direct execution — from managing security tools and incident response to communicating risks and building cross-functional alignment. The role also partners closely with the IT Policy and Strategy team to embed cybersecurity awareness and operational practices across the organization.

We are looking for someone we can count on to:

Own:

Leadership of NYPL’s cybersecurity team and daily operations
Technical architecture and administration of the cybersecurity ecosystem
Relationships with business partners, vendors, and government entities
Communication of cybersecurity posture to senior leadership
Cybersecurity KPIs, OKRs, and roadmap planning

Teach:

Mentor cybersecurity staff and build organization-wide awareness
Guide teams in understanding and balancing risk
Partner with IT and business units to promote security-by-design

Learn:

The Library’s unique public-sector responsibilities and dynamics
Evolving regulatory and community expectations
How to right-size tools and processes for transparency, scale, and resilience

Improve:

Operational efficiency and incident response maturity
Cross-functional collaboration and communication
Public trust in NYPL’s cybersecurity leadership

Some expectations for this role are that within:

1 month, this person will:

Directly review current network topology, configurations, and circuit health across 90+ sites
Log into and inspect FortiManager, FortiAnalyzer, and FortiGate firewall policies
Validate AWS networking setup including VPN tunnels, security groups, and routing tables
Shadow the team during real-time incident response and review escalated network tickets
Assess monitoring and alerting workflows (SolarWinds, Cacti, etc.) for gaps or noise

3 months, this person will:

Personally lead a review and cleanup of legacy switch/router configs and firewall rules
Optimize alert thresholds and performance dashboards across network monitoring tools
Audit AWS VPC structure and VPN connectivity for resiliency and best practices
Introduce configuration or automation improvements based on early observations
Report on baseline network health, ticket trends, and team responsiveness with recommendations

6 months and beyond, this person will:

Architect and implement targeted improvements (e.g., circuit upgrades, core switch refresh, AWS route tuning)
Lead technical planning for capital projects, wiring closet rebuilds, and site expansions
Serve as Tier-3 hands-on escalation for complex or recurring network incidents
Validate network security controls (segmentation, NAC, remote access) across all layers
Deliver measurable gains in uptime, response time, and documentation maturity

Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

Develop and enforce cybersecurity policies, procedures, and standards
Lead threat detection, investigation, and response efforts across the organization
Administer and optimize NYPL’s cybersecurity tools, including EDR, NDR, and phishing defense platforms
Analyze security alerts and threat intel to drive real-time response and containment
Conduct hands-on technical reviews of security events, response workflows, and emerging risks
Coordinate audits, tabletop exercises, and maturity assessments
Report on cybersecurity posture, risk trends, and incidents to senior leadership

Collaboration & Communication

Build alignment with stakeholders to balance security and operations
Liaise with NYC Cyber Command, Physical Security, and law enforcement
Advance cybersecurity awareness across the organization
Partner with IT and business leads to close security gaps
Lead complex, cross-functional cybersecurity initiatives
Maintain trust through clear, timely communication during incidents

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education & Certifications

Bachelors degree or combination of education and work experience

Required Experience

8+ years administering technology in widely distributed or decentralized organizations
5+ years in a cybersecurity leadership role with direct stakeholder engagement responsibilities
5+ years managing teams in complex, cross-functional environments
Demonstrated experience operating in public sector, non-profit, or highly regulated settings
Proven ability to lead and influence implementation of new cybersecurity policies and procedures across diverse teams
Strong hands-on experience with vulnerability management, network security, and systems security
Familiarity with building and scaling cybersecurity programs from both strategic and operational perspectives
Deep knowledge of NIST, ISO, or similar cybersecurity frameworks and how to apply them in real-world business contexts
Experience navigating regulatory compliance, public sector governance, and politically sensitive environments
Track record of leading cross-functional initiatives with multiple stakeholders, including boards, government agencies, and community partners

Required Skills

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; able to tailor complex security topics for technical teams, business stakeholders, and executive leadership
Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a track record of delivering solutions under tight budget and resource constraints
Deep understanding of risk management with pragmatic, business-aligned remediation strategies
Demonstrated ability to influence without authority across complex organizational structures
High emotional intelligence and the ability to navigate organizational dynamics and manage change
Skilled at building consensus among diverse stakeholder groups with competing priorities
Experience translating technical risk into business impact for non-technical audiences, including executives and board members
Familiarity with public sector environments, including political and community considerations
Broad hands-on expertise across core Information Security domains, including:
- Incident Response
- BCP/DR
- Endpoint protection (AV/MDR)
- Security monitoring and SIEM
- Log aggregation
- WAF and firewall management
- Patch and vulnerability management
- Penetration testing and incident response coordination

Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct management of a team with focus on developing both technical and soft skills. This position reports to the Senior Director, ITIO & Cybersecurity and coordinates executive communications through established IT leadership and communication channels.

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Core Values
All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:

Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
Be Resourceful in solving problems
Be Curious in all aspects of your work
Be Welcoming and Inclusive

Work Environment

Office setting with significant stakeholder interaction
Hybrid 3-on / 2-off as workload permits

Physical Duties

Lift equipment up to 25 lbs

Pre-Placement Physical Required?
No

Union/Non Union
Non-Union

FLSA Status
Exempt

Schedule

Available on-call after hours and weekends
Hybrid 3-on / 2-off as workload permits
Travel to NYPL sites as needed
Availability for stakeholder meetings and community events as required

This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed.

The New York Public Library Salary Statement

At the Library, we believe that pay transparency and pay equity are important to ensuring we source the best candidates and keep the best employees. When making a determination as to the appropriate salary for a candidate, we consider a variety of factors such, including, but not limited to, the position requirements, the skills, prior experience, and educational background required or preferred for the job, the scope and impact of the role within the organization, internal peer equity, and the candidates specific training, experience, education level, and skills. No single factor is conclusive; the Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and make a decision consistent with its policies.

Union Salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreement(s).

The New York Public Library (NYPL)

Associate Director, Cybersecurity Information Technology

The New York Public Library (NYPL)

Required Education, Experience & Skills

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