Cybersecurity Lead Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Cybersecurity Lead roles qualify for H-1B visa and O-1 visa sponsorship, with most positions falling under specialty occupation status due to the technical degree requirements. Employers in this field sponsor regularly, particularly in finance, defense, and tech. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Cognizant is seeking a Senior Director to lead go-to-market strategy, pursuit leadership, and revenue enablement for cybersecurity across North America. This business leadership role is accountable for growing qualified pipeline, improving deal conversion on strategic pursuits, and scaling cybersecurity revenue through differentiated, outcome-led solutions.
Operating at the intersection of market demand, client strategy, solution architecture, and commercial shaping, you will partner with sales, delivery, alliances, and practice leadership to bring high-impact cybersecurity solutions to market — and build the regional team to sustain that performance at scale.
This is not a solution architect role that escalates to leadership. It is a leadership role that commands architecture. The Senior Director is the final solution and commercial authority on strategic cybersecurity pursuits in the region.
ROLE OVERVIEW
WHAT YOU WILL OWN
GTM & Revenue Enablement:
- Own the cybersecurity presales strategy for North America, aligned to annual growth targets and pipeline commitments
- Drive qualified pipeline growth and improve win conversion on large, complex pursuits (TCV $5M and above)
- Partner with sales leadership to shape deal strategy, pricing approach, and competitive positioning on priority accounts
- Represent cybersecurity capability in key client and partner forums — including QBRs, alliance briefings, and executive engagements
Pursuit Leadership at Scale:
- Lead and govern high-value, multi-tower cybersecurity pursuits across managed security services, cyber transformation, and system integration
- Act as the final solution authority on strategic bids — accountable for technical soundness, commercial viability, and delivery alignment
- Govern pursuit quality through structured review gates, win-theme development, and executive dry runs
- Ensure clean handover to delivery leadership post-contract: solution intent, commercial boundaries, and key assumptions documented
Client & Executive Engagement:
- Engage directly with CISOs, CIOs, and business leadership to shape cybersecurity strategy, roadmaps, and investment decisions
- Translate complex risk and transformation requirements into clear, outcome-driven solutions and business cases
- Position cybersecurity as a business enabler — tied to resilience, compliance, regulatory requirements, and competitive differentiation
SOLUTION SCOPE
Cybersecurity Portfolio Coverage
Solutions are designed and governed across Cognizant's full cybersecurity portfolio:
- Identity & Access Management (IAM, PAM, Zero Trust)
- Data Security & Privacy
- Cloud, Infrastructure & Network Security
- Threat & Vulnerability Management
- Security Operations, MDR & Incident Response
- Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC)
- OT / ICS Security and IT/OT convergence environments
- Emerging areas: Security for AI, Cyber Resilience, Multi-cloud architectures
Environment Coverage
- On-premises, public cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP), hybrid, and OT/ICS environments
- Platform-aligned solutions leveraging Cognizant's alliance ecosystem: Microsoft, Palo Alto Networks, CrowdStrike, Splunk, Okta, Qualys, ServiceNow SecOps
LEADERSHIP & ORGANIZATIONAL IMPACT
- Build, mentor, and scale a high-performing regional presales and solutioning team
- Coach solution architects and pursuit leads to improve win rates, solution quality, and commercial maturity
- Drive alignment across markets, delivery, alliances, and offering teams — own the regional presales operating rhythm
- Contribute to offering development, reusable presales assets, and GTM strategy refinement at the practice level
- Represent the Cybersecurity Practice in senior leadership reviews, capability forums, and strategic planning cycles
MEASURES OF SUCCESS
- Pipeline Growth: Quarter-on-quarter growth in qualified cybersecurity pipeline across NA
- Deal Conversion: Win rate on strategic pursuits (TCV $5M+) versus prior baseline
- Revenue Contribution: New and expansion cybersecurity revenue attributed to presales-led pursuits
- Solution Quality: Bid review scores, delivery alignment, and rework rate post-contract
- Executive Reach: Number of new CISO / C-suite relationships developed across named accounts
- Team Capability: Individual development of solution architects — certifications, deal credits, promotion readiness
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & CAPABILITIES
Leadership & Pursuit Track Record:
- 15+ years in cybersecurity across presales, solutioning, architecture, and cyber risk management
- Minimum 5 years in a senior presales leadership role with direct pursuit ownership, team management, and pipeline accountability
- Demonstrated track record of winning large, complex cybersecurity engagements (TCV $10M+) as solution or presales lead
- Experience delivering managed security services, cyber transformation programs, and system integration engagements at enterprise scale
- Background working with enterprise clients across two or more verticals (BFSI, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail, Energy, or similar)
Cybersecurity Domain Expertise:
- Broad expertise across core cybersecurity domains: Identity, Data Security, Cloud Security, Network Security, Application Security, and GRC
- Hands-on familiarity with major security platforms: Microsoft Sentinel / Defender, Palo Alto NGFW / Prisma, CrowdStrike Falcon, Splunk SIEM, Okta, Qualys, ServiceNow SecOps
- Experience architecting solutions across on-premises, cloud, hybrid, and OT / ICS environments
- Working knowledge of relevant frameworks and standards: NIST CSF, ISO 27001, MITRE ATT&CK, Zero Trust, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOC 2
Commercial & Strategic Acumen:
- Proven ability to shape value propositions, pricing constructs, and risk-adjusted commercial models for strategic pursuits
- Strong executive presence — demonstrated ability to influence CISOs, CTOs, and business leadership in high-stakes pursuit environments
- Comfortable operating in a matrixed organization across sales, delivery, and practice leadership
- Experience shaping and managing alliance and partner relationships in support of GTM and pursuit strategy
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Industry certifications: CISSP, CISM, CISA, or CRISC
- Platform or vendor certifications: Microsoft Security, Palo Alto PCNSE, CrowdStrike, Splunk, or equivalent
- MBA or post-graduate business qualification
- Prior experience in a Big 4 consulting firm, global systems integrator (GSI), or major MSSP environment
WHAT SETS THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE APART
- Brings together strategy, architecture, delivery feasibility, and commercial thinking into cohesive, client-winning solutions — not one or two of these, all four
- Instinctively client-first: represents Cognizant credibly at board and CISO level while simultaneously aligning internal stakeholders around a single solution narrative
- Builds teams that win — not just individually capable, but invested in growing the capability around them
- Holds a sharp perspective on modern cybersecurity priorities: cloud security, OT convergence, identity-led architectures, AI-driven threats, and cyber resilience
- Energized by complexity — most effective when the pursuit is large, the timeline is tight, and the competition is credible
WHY COGNIZANT CYBERSECURITY
Cybersecurity is a board-level priority and a core growth driver for Cognizant in North America. As Senior Director, you will shape how large global organizations secure and scale their digital environments across diverse industries, complex ecosystems, and high-stakes engagements.
You will have a broad alliance ecosystem, a global delivery platform, and executive sponsorship for cybersecurity growth at the highest levels of the organization. Cognizant's scale makes the opportunities real — the deals are large, the clients are global, and the mandate to grow is backed by investment.
This is a role for a leader who is energized by winning, motivated by building, and measured by results.
SALARY AND OTHER COMPENSATION
The annual salary for this position is between $245,000 and $265,000, depending on the experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.
This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.
Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
- Medical / Dental / Vision / Life Insurance
- Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
- 401(k) plan and contributions
- Long-term / Short-term Disability
- Paid Parental Leave
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Team Scope: Builds and leads the regional presales & solutioning team (NA)
Location: North America — preferred hubs: NJ, NY
Travel: Up to 50% (client-facing engagements and strategic pursuits)
Work Model: Hybrid
INTRODUCTION
Cognizant is seeking a Senior Director to lead go-to-market strategy, pursuit leadership, and revenue enablement for cybersecurity across North America. This business leadership role is accountable for growing qualified pipeline, improving deal conversion on strategic pursuits, and scaling cybersecurity revenue through differentiated, outcome-led solutions.
Operating at the intersection of market demand, client strategy, solution architecture, and commercial shaping, you will partner with sales, delivery, alliances, and practice leadership to bring high-impact cybersecurity solutions to market — and build the regional team to sustain that performance at scale.
This is not a solution architect role that escalates to leadership. It is a leadership role that commands architecture. The Senior Director is the final solution and commercial authority on strategic cybersecurity pursuits in the region.
ROLE OVERVIEW
WHAT YOU WILL OWN
GTM & Revenue Enablement:
- Own the cybersecurity presales strategy for North America, aligned to annual growth targets and pipeline commitments
- Drive qualified pipeline growth and improve win conversion on large, complex pursuits (TCV $5M and above)
- Partner with sales leadership to shape deal strategy, pricing approach, and competitive positioning on priority accounts
- Represent cybersecurity capability in key client and partner forums — including QBRs, alliance briefings, and executive engagements
Pursuit Leadership at Scale:
- Lead and govern high-value, multi-tower cybersecurity pursuits across managed security services, cyber transformation, and system integration
- Act as the final solution authority on strategic bids — accountable for technical soundness, commercial viability, and delivery alignment
- Govern pursuit quality through structured review gates, win-theme development, and executive dry runs
- Ensure clean handover to delivery leadership post-contract: solution intent, commercial boundaries, and key assumptions documented
Client & Executive Engagement:
- Engage directly with CISOs, CIOs, and business leadership to shape cybersecurity strategy, roadmaps, and investment decisions
- Translate complex risk and transformation requirements into clear, outcome-driven solutions and business cases
- Position cybersecurity as a business enabler — tied to resilience, compliance, regulatory requirements, and competitive differentiation
SOLUTION SCOPE
Cybersecurity Portfolio Coverage
Solutions are designed and governed across Cognizant's full cybersecurity portfolio:
- Identity & Access Management (IAM, PAM, Zero Trust)
- Data Security & Privacy
- Cloud, Infrastructure & Network Security
- Threat & Vulnerability Management
- Security Operations, MDR & Incident Response
- Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC)
- OT / ICS Security and IT/OT convergence environments
- Emerging areas: Security for AI, Cyber Resilience, Multi-cloud architectures
Environment Coverage
- On-premises, public cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP), hybrid, and OT/ICS environments
- Platform-aligned solutions leveraging Cognizant's alliance ecosystem: Microsoft, Palo Alto Networks, CrowdStrike, Splunk, Okta, Qualys, ServiceNow SecOps
LEADERSHIP & ORGANIZATIONAL IMPACT
- Build, mentor, and scale a high-performing regional presales and solutioning team
- Coach solution architects and pursuit leads to improve win rates, solution quality, and commercial maturity
- Drive alignment across markets, delivery, alliances, and offering teams — own the regional presales operating rhythm
- Contribute to offering development, reusable presales assets, and GTM strategy refinement at the practice level
- Represent the Cybersecurity Practice in senior leadership reviews, capability forums, and strategic planning cycles
MEASURES OF SUCCESS
- Pipeline Growth: Quarter-on-quarter growth in qualified cybersecurity pipeline across NA
- Deal Conversion: Win rate on strategic pursuits (TCV $5M+) versus prior baseline
- Revenue Contribution: New and expansion cybersecurity revenue attributed to presales-led pursuits
- Solution Quality: Bid review scores, delivery alignment, and rework rate post-contract
- Executive Reach: Number of new CISO / C-suite relationships developed across named accounts
- Team Capability: Individual development of solution architects — certifications, deal credits, promotion readiness
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & CAPABILITIES
Leadership & Pursuit Track Record:
- 15+ years in cybersecurity across presales, solutioning, architecture, and cyber risk management
- Minimum 5 years in a senior presales leadership role with direct pursuit ownership, team management, and pipeline accountability
- Demonstrated track record of winning large, complex cybersecurity engagements (TCV $10M+) as solution or presales lead
- Experience delivering managed security services, cyber transformation programs, and system integration engagements at enterprise scale
- Background working with enterprise clients across two or more verticals (BFSI, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail, Energy, or similar)
Cybersecurity Domain Expertise:
- Broad expertise across core cybersecurity domains: Identity, Data Security, Cloud Security, Network Security, Application Security, and GRC
- Hands-on familiarity with major security platforms: Microsoft Sentinel / Defender, Palo Alto NGFW / Prisma, CrowdStrike Falcon, Splunk SIEM, Okta, Qualys, ServiceNow SecOps
- Experience architecting solutions across on-premises, cloud, hybrid, and OT / ICS environments
- Working knowledge of relevant frameworks and standards: NIST CSF, ISO 27001, MITRE ATT&CK, Zero Trust, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOC 2
Commercial & Strategic Acumen:
- Proven ability to shape value propositions, pricing constructs, and risk-adjusted commercial models for strategic pursuits
- Strong executive presence — demonstrated ability to influence CISOs, CTOs, and business leadership in high-stakes pursuit environments
- Comfortable operating in a matrixed organization across sales, delivery, and practice leadership
- Experience shaping and managing alliance and partner relationships in support of GTM and pursuit strategy
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Industry certifications: CISSP, CISM, CISA, or CRISC
- Platform or vendor certifications: Microsoft Security, Palo Alto PCNSE, CrowdStrike, Splunk, or equivalent
- MBA or post-graduate business qualification
- Prior experience in a Big 4 consulting firm, global systems integrator (GSI), or major MSSP environment
WHAT SETS THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE APART
- Brings together strategy, architecture, delivery feasibility, and commercial thinking into cohesive, client-winning solutions — not one or two of these, all four
- Instinctively client-first: represents Cognizant credibly at board and CISO level while simultaneously aligning internal stakeholders around a single solution narrative
- Builds teams that win — not just individually capable, but invested in growing the capability around them
- Holds a sharp perspective on modern cybersecurity priorities: cloud security, OT convergence, identity-led architectures, AI-driven threats, and cyber resilience
- Energized by complexity — most effective when the pursuit is large, the timeline is tight, and the competition is credible
WHY COGNIZANT CYBERSECURITY
Cybersecurity is a board-level priority and a core growth driver for Cognizant in North America. As Senior Director, you will shape how large global organizations secure and scale their digital environments across diverse industries, complex ecosystems, and high-stakes engagements.
You will have a broad alliance ecosystem, a global delivery platform, and executive sponsorship for cybersecurity growth at the highest levels of the organization. Cognizant's scale makes the opportunities real — the deals are large, the clients are global, and the mandate to grow is backed by investment.
This is a role for a leader who is energized by winning, motivated by building, and measured by results.
SALARY AND OTHER COMPENSATION
The annual salary for this position is between $245,000 and $265,000, depending on the experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.
This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.
Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
- Medical / Dental / Vision / Life Insurance
- Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
- 401(k) plan and contributions
- Long-term / Short-term Disability
- Paid Parental Leave
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Team Scope: Builds and leads the regional presales & solutioning team (NA)
Location: North America — preferred hubs: NJ, NY
Travel: Up to 50% (client-facing engagements and strategic pursuits)
Work Model: Hybrid
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Cybersecurity Lead Jobs
Target industries with established sponsorship pipelines
Financial services, defense contractors, and large tech firms sponsor Cybersecurity Leads most consistently. These industries have dedicated immigration counsel on retainer, making the process faster and less uncertain than smaller employers unfamiliar with H-1B filing.
Clarify your degree field early in interviews
USCIS requires your degree to align with the role. Computer science, information security, and electrical engineering degrees satisfy most Cybersecurity Lead petitions. Unrelated degrees require a detailed credential evaluation and experience documentation before an employer can file.
Ask whether the employer uses premium processing
Premium processing reduces H-1B approval time to 15 business days. Many security-focused employers use it given the urgency of filling these roles. Confirming this upfront tells you how quickly you could realistically start if selected.
Certifications strengthen your petition significantly
CISSP, CISM, and CEH certifications reinforce that the role requires specialized knowledge beyond a generalist degree. USCIS looks favorably on credentials that narrow the field, which directly supports the specialty occupation argument your employer's attorney will make.
Understand cap-exempt employer options
Universities, research institutions, and certain nonprofits are exempt from the H-1B lottery. Cybersecurity roles at these organizations can be filed any time of year with no selection risk, making them a strong alternative if you missed the annual lottery.
Document your leadership scope before filing
The Lead title matters. Petitions for senior or lead-level roles need evidence of team oversight, strategic responsibility, and technical authority. Offer letters, org charts, and a detailed job duties letter from your employer all support a stronger specialty occupation case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Cybersecurity Lead role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, in most cases. USCIS considers cybersecurity lead roles specialty occupations when the position requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific technical field such as computer science, information security, or a related discipline. Employers should document that the role's complexity and specialized responsibilities make a relevant degree a baseline requirement, not a preference. Roles where a general business degree would suffice can face more scrutiny.
What if my degree is in a field unrelated to cybersecurity?
An unrelated degree doesn't automatically disqualify you, but it complicates the petition. Under USCIS rules, three years of specialized work experience can substitute for one year of formal education. A credential evaluation from a recognized organization can also reframe a non-traditional academic background as equivalent. Your employer's immigration attorney will typically request detailed experience letters from former supervisors to build this argument. It's worth discussing early in the offer stage.
How do I find Cybersecurity Lead jobs that offer H-1B sponsorship?
Most job postings don't explicitly state whether they sponsor, which makes filtering difficult on general platforms. Migrate Mate is built specifically for this, listing roles from employers with verified sponsorship histories so you're not guessing. Searching by job title and filtering for sponsorship-willing employers saves significant time compared to applying broadly and asking during interviews.
Are approval rates for cybersecurity H-1B petitions affected by current policy trends?
Cybersecurity roles have historically fared well compared to other tech categories because the degree-to-job alignment is straightforward and demand is high across regulated industries. USCIS RFE rates have fluctuated with administration priorities, but well-documented petitions for lead-level security roles with clear degree requirements tend to have strong approval outcomes. Using an experienced immigration attorney familiar with IT and security role petitions reduces RFE risk meaningfully.
Can a Cybersecurity Lead role qualify for an O-1A visa instead of H-1B?
Yes, if you have demonstrable evidence of extraordinary ability in cybersecurity. This could include speaking at major security conferences such as DEF CON or Black Hat, published research, significant contributions to open-source security tools, or recognition such as industry awards. The O-1A has no annual cap and no lottery, making it attractive for candidates with a strong professional profile who want to avoid H-1B visa selection uncertainty. An immigration attorney can assess whether your background meets the threshold.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Cybersecurity Lead jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.