Senior Executive - EY-Parthenon - Transactions & Execution (Cyber) - Belfast

EY-Parthenon’s Strategy, Transactions & Execution team is the leading Strategy and Operations business in the EMEA region, providing advice to corporate and private equity firms who intend to acquire, divest or restructure businesses. The team comprises advisors with specialist commercial, operations, IT and deal / transaction experience from industry, advisory and audit backgrounds.

The opportunity

Due to increased traction in the market and deal flow we are now looking to expand our Cybersecurity Transactions team. You will be exclusively focused on supporting transactions from a Cybersecurity perspective pre and post deal working primarily with Private Equity and Corporate clients executing deal mandates.

What we are looking for

We are looking for a an energetic professional with an in-depth understanding of a wide range of cybersecurity technical and operational aspects who will have a focus on M&A (pre-deal due diligence and post-deal integrations / separations / carve out)

Your proven project management and stakeholder management experience will be key to the role.

If you’re ready to take on a wide range of responsibilities and are committed to seeking out new ways to make a difference, this role is for you.

Your key responsibilities

As a Cyber Senior Executive within Transactions & Execution, you will be a vital member of the Cyber team advising clients across all industries and sectors. You will work in a transaction environment operating under tight M&A timeframes and demands, supporting key decision makers in developing and executing strategies for transactions. You will also assist in aspects of business origination, including pitches and presentations, and attending meetings with clients to generate new business opportunities.

Skills and attributes for success

• Have a broad knowledge range across information security and cyber defence
• Have a strong desire to work in a M&A environment operating across the transaction lifecycle
• Develop experience of a range of different type of engagements, including pre-deal (e.g. operational cyber due diligence, carve-out planning), post-deal (e.g. integration planning, tracking) and restructuring (e.g. rapid cost reduction)
• Be familiar working in a large-scale consulting environment or industry role where you can demonstrate the ability to perform and summarise Cyber analysis into management insights and recommended actions at pace
• Lead work-streams comprising members of the client and colleagues from our transactions and advisory practices.
• Lead meetings with senior client stakeholders to advise, shape and drive the strategy and planning for pre-deal diligence, integration, carve-out / separation and operational restructuring.
• Working on high-profile projects, challenging requirements and in a fast-paced environment
• Act as a role model and support development of junior team members, coupled with the recruitment and training responsibilities.
• Be flexible to support on broader IT & Operational transaction work not necessarily related to Cyber Security
• Take ownership for Quality and Risk Management (Q&RM) to ensure client work is delivered consistently and in compliance with EY's quality standards
• Manage internal practice development including development of tools, accelerators, methodologies and market propositions

To qualify for the role, you must have

• A technical background in Computer Science, Network engineering with a BSc or Masters in a Technical subject in the field (Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Software Engineering or similar). A relevant PHD or MBA is a plus, but relevant experience will be considered.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and experience of producing and reviewing high calibre reports, papers, presentations and thought leadership.
• A track record of successful project delivery in corporate businesses where you are responsible for managing project team members and vendors
• Have a broad range of IT experience including, infrastructure, applications, databases and networks
• Have deep knowledge of Cyber Security risks, controls and governance within corporate environments and how these support and can enhance business operations

Ideally, you’ll also have

• Demonstrable evidence of personal development in cyber security, such as maintaining a blog, writing articles, contributing to open source projects, undertaking a personal project, etc
• Knowledge of data protection regulations including EU GDPR / UK DPA as well as industry standards and frameworks such as OWASP, PCI, ISO27001, NIST and SANS Critical controls
• Experience in supporting sales and business development processes for professional services projects in a large-scale consulting environment
• Experience in providing Cyber Security advice within multiple transactions, spanning a broad range of industry sectors, providing deal-relevant points of view and recommendations to clients leveraging your Cyber and IT experience
• Client facing, consulting or contractor experience