CISO

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 Information Security 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.

Vacancy: Chief Information Security Officer

As Unilever Ice Cream embarks on a bold new chapter as an independent company, the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) will play a transformative role in driving the organization’s success, leading the establishment and maintenance of the enterprise vision, strategy, and overall Cyber Security program from the ground up. The key purpose of this newly created, highly impactful role is to lead the global organization through strategic and tactical cyber security activities and operate as the overarching leader that enables all product and platform teams to meet their cyber security obligations.

Reporting directly to the Chief Technology and Information Officer (CTIO), the CISO will be a key member of the newly established Ice Cream Technology Leadership team, playing a critical role in aligning the cybersecurity strategy with the company’s overarching business objectives. Collaborating closely with the CTIO, the broader Tech and Data & Analytics Leadership Team and with senior stakeholders, the candidate will drive the establishment of a future-ready IT function that supports the success of the standalone Ice Cream organization. The CISO will lead and shape a dynamic international team of cybersecurity experts, ensuring comprehensive protection across all facets of the organization’s operations.

Ultimately accountable for the cyber security of the multi-billion-dollar business, the CISO will take ownership, setting a vision and drive the company’s capabilities across all technology layers of the global business. They will ensure information assets and technologies are adequately protected and operate with an appropriate level of resiliency for all required technology application capabilities, including threat intelligence, incident response, and risk management, ensuring effective threat mitigation. The CISO will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including IT, legal, compliance, and operations, to ensure robust security governance and resilience across the organization and 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.