Chief Cybersecurity Officer

The world’s largest ice cream company, Unilever Ice Cream, will become an independent entity in 2025. An instrumental part of the company’s IT leadership team, the Chief Cybersecurity Officer will build a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy from scratch, leading a global team, and securing the company’s digital future.

About Unilever Ice Cream

Unilever Ice Cream, the world’s largest ice cream company, is set to become a standalone entity, separating from Unilever by the end of 2025. This strategic move is designed to unlock the full growth potential of the ice cream business, which will operate under a new ownership structure, distinct from Unilever’s other operations. As part of the highly attractive snacking and refreshment category, a $1 trillion global industry, Unilever Ice Cream has consistently shown rapid growth. In 2023, the company reported a turnover of €7.9 billion, further solidifying its strong position in the market. The company has a presence in over 60 countries and operates 35 brands, five of which are part of the top ten global ice cream brands, including Ola Magnum, and Ben & Jerry’s, Unilever Ice Cream boasts significant brand equity and is well-positioned to continue its success as a separate business.  

Unilever Ice Cream has a well-defined strategy that focuses on driving growth and value creation. The company is committed to developing and nurturing talent within its organization, offering ample career growth opportunities as the company transitions to its new structure. Currently based in Rotterdam, the company plans to relocate to Amsterdam in 2025.  

Job description: Chief Cybersecurity Officer 

Unilever Ice Cream is entering a bold new phase as an independent company, where technology and security will be central to its success. The Chief Cybersecurity Officer (CCSO) will play a pivotal role in shaping this future, designing and leading a comprehensive cybersecurity program from the ground up. This newly created, high-impact leadership position will drive the cybersecurity vision, setting the foundation for safeguarding the company’s critical digital assets, consumer data, and infrastructure.  

Part of the newly established Ice Cream Technology Leadership team and reporting to the Chief Technology and Information Officer (CTIO), the CCSO will play a vital role in aligning security strategy with Unilever Ice Cream’s business objectives as the company steps into its future as a standalone enterprise. The CCSO will oversee a global team of 15 cybersecurity experts, each focused on specialized areas within the organization. Five functional leads, based in India and Spain, report directly to the CCSO and manage teams of Cyber Security Analysts who support their respective functions. Additionally, an IoT Security Analyst in Spain reports directly to the CCSO, providing essential expertise in securing connected devices. Together, this team ensures comprehensive cybersecurity coverage across all facets of the organization. 

This senior leadership role manages all cybersecurity operations, including threat intelligence, incident response, and risk management, ensuring effective threat mitigation. The CCSO will integrate security practices across technology layers, embedding robust measures as the company advances digitally. They will develop and enforce cybersecurity policies in partnership with IT, legal, compliance, and operations, fostering a culture of security awareness. Additionally, the CCSO will drive innovation by adopting technologies like AI, cloud, and data analytics to create a future-ready security infrastructure. 

The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with deep expertise in cybersecurity frameworks like NIST and ISO 27001, and a strong understanding of data protection regulations and digital security. Collaborative, with exceptional communication skills, they easily engage and influence stakeholders at all levels, including the Board of Directors. A strategic and systemic thinker, this confident leader combines commercial acumen with a proactive approach to risk management and problem-solving. Leading by example, with the right amount of gravitas and empathy, they drive transformative change, fostering a high-performance culture, inspiring their team to achieve results swiftly and with purpose. Innovative and entrepreneurial, they stay ahead of trends and risks, continuously maintaining a resilient cybersecurity foundation, ensuring Unilever Ice Cream’s secure and sustainable future as a standalone company.  

“This is a unique leadership function where you have the opportunity to start with a blank canvas and make a huge impact. Your cybersecurity vision and the way you put it into action will be the foundation of the company’s success as it embarks on a new era of independence.” – Marc O’Brien, CTIO 

Unilever Ice Cream is committed to transforming everyday moments into extraordinary experiences through innovative products that bring joy to consumers and positively impact communities. The role will initially be based in Rotterdam and move to Amsterdam in 2025. 

Interested?  

Unilever Ice Cream is working with Top of Minds to fill this vacancy. 
To express your interest, please contact Jessica Lim at jessica.lim@topofminds.com.