Head of Security

Meet DeepL
DeepL is a global communications platform powered by Language AI. Since 2017, we've been on a mission to break down language barriers. Our human-sounding translations and intelligent writing suggestions are designed with enterprise security in mind. Today, they enable over 100,000 businesses to transform communications, reach new markets, and improve productivity. And, empower millions of individuals worldwide to make sense of the world and express their ideas.

Our goal is to become the global leader in Language AI, building products that drive better communication, foster connections, and make a real-life impact. To achieve this, we need talented individuals like you to join our exciting journey. If you're ready to work with a dynamic team and build your career in the fast-moving AI space, DeepL is your next destination.

What Sets Us Apart
What sets us apart is our blend of modern technology, competitive benefits, and an open, welcoming work culture that enables our people to thrive. When we share what it's like to work at DeepL, the reactions are overwhelmingly positive. This may be because of our products that have helped countless people worldwide or our shared mission to improve communication for individuals and businesses, bringing cultures closer together. What we know for sure is this: being part of DeepL means joining a team dedicated to innovation and employee well-being. Discover what our teams have to say about life at DeepL on LinkedIn, Instagram and our Blog.

Your Responsibilities
Strategic Ownership & Leadership
Own the overall Information and IT Security strategy, leading teams responsible for infrastructure security, application security, organisational security, and information governance.

Develop, implement, and maintain robust security frameworks that ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems and data across the organization.

Act as the central authority for all security-related initiatives, ensuring alignment with business goals and compliance requirements while being mindful regarding company efficiency.

Governance, Risk & Compliance
Own compliance programs (e.g., SOC 2, ISO 27001, BSI C5).

Shape our approach to risk assessment, third-party risk management, and internal security audits.

Support customer security reviews, RFPs, and due-diligence engagements.

Operational Security & Technology Oversight
Oversee the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of security architecture across IT infrastructure, cloud environments, user devices and SaaS systems.

Ensure secure operations through proactive threat monitoring, vulnerability management, hardening, and incident response training.

Collaborate with engineering teams to integrate security-by-design principles into infrastructure and product development lifecycle.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Management
Partner with Infrastructure, Product teams, People department, Legal, Sales, and other Business leaders to ensure that security and data protection are embedded into all company processes.

Foster a strong security culture through awareness training, communication, and transparent reporting of security metrics and incidents.

Represent the company in security discussions with customers, partners, auditors, and regulators and support sales and customer success teams in high-stakes enterprise deals requiring executive security leadership.

Contribute to board-level reporting on security posture, risk, and investment.

About You

• Proven experience in Security Engineering or Information Security and in leadership roles, ideally as Head of Security, CISO, or equivalent.
• 5+ years in information security
• Experience in senior leadership roles
• Experience with IPO readiness, including SOX compliance, and board-level reporting
• Background in SaaS, AI, or technology sectors
• Experience building security teams from the ground up and scaling them alongside business growth
• Strong understanding of technical security domains (network, cloud, endpoint, identity management, incident response) and information security governance.
• Solid knowledge of international and EU compliance frameworks such as ISO 27001, GDPR and SOC2 / BSI C5
• Strategic mindset combined with a hands-on approach to execution.
• Fluent in English, with professional proficiency in German preferred.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to bridge technical and business perspectives.
• Strong organisational and leadership skills with a focus on driving measurable outcomes and continuous improvement.

Nice to have

• Experience with AWS Cloud and OnPremise Data Centres
• First touch with AI / LLM / Agentic security
• Experience with security tooling and automation platforms (SIEM, SOAR, IAM, etc.).
• Background in rapid growth environments

We are an equal opportunity employer
You are welcome at DeepL for who you are—we appreciate authenticity here. Our product is for everyone, and so is our workplace. The more voices we have represented and amplified in our business, the more we will all succeed, contribute, and think forward So bring us your personal experience, your perspectives, and your background. It's in our diversity that we will find the power to break down language barriers in the world.