Vulnerability Manager (Execution-Led, Root-Cause Focused)

Title: Vulnerability Manager (Execution-Led, Root-Cause Focused)

Client Location: Remote

Type: Contract

Role Overview:

• The Vulnerability Manager is a hands-on, execution-driven leader responsible for driving enterprise-wide vulnerability remediation through root cause identification, pattern-based fixes, and coordinated execution across application, infrastructure, and security domains.
• Unlike traditional tracking roles, this position actively analyzes systemic vulnerabilities, defines remediation patterns, and guides teams toward scalable fixes, ensuring rapid reduction of risk exposure across the enterprise.

Key Responsibilities:

Vulnerability Governance & Execution Leadership:

• Own end-to-end vulnerability lifecycle: prioritization, remediation, validation, and closure tracking
• Drive centralized orchestration and federated execution across App Build, App Run, Infra, and Security teams
• Establish and enforce execution cadence, dependency management, and SLA adherence
• Ensure continuous validation via re-scan and closure confirmation

Root Cause Analysis & Pattern Identification:

• Go beyond symptom-level fixes to identify systemic root causes across vulnerability classes
• Analyze vulnerability trends (e.g., outdated libraries, misconfigurations, TLS issues, DNS risks)
• Convert recurring issues into standardized fix patterns (e.g., 63 systemic vulnerabilities driving 3000+ findings)
• Collaborate with SMEs (App, Infra, Security) to validate findings and root causes

Fix Recommendation & Solution Design Enablement:

• Define scalable, repeatable remediation strategies (e.g., framework upgrades, config baselines, security control hardening)
• Provide clear fix recommendations and design guidance to execution teams
• Partner with architects to ensure solutions align with enterprise standards and approvals
• Translate security findings into actionable engineering tasks

Cross-Functional Coordination (Taskforce Model):

Serve as the central bridge between Taskforce and Run teams

Coordinate:

• Application teams → code-level fixes (e.g., XSS, libraries)
• Infrastructure teams → DNS, TLS, network configurations
• Security teams → WAF/CDN, policies, controls
• Ensure division of responsibility is clear (Taskforce = change-heavy/app fixes; Run teams = platform/config fixes)

Risk-Based Prioritization & Remediation Strategy:

• Prioritize vulnerabilities based on:
• Exploitability (e.g., known CVEs like jQuery, AngularJS)
• Business exposure (customer data risk, service disruption)
• Regulatory impact
• Drive wave-based remediation strategies (Critical → High)
• Focus on high-impact vulnerabilities with broad systemic exposure

Metrics, Reporting & Executive Communication:

Provide clear visibility into risk posture, remediation progress, and residual risk

Track:

• Open vs. closed vulnerabilities
• Root-cause reduction trends
• Pattern-based remediation impact
• Communicate insights and risks to executive stakeholders in a concise manner

Key Outcomes Expected:

• Near-elimination of critical external vulnerabilities
• Significant reduction in vulnerability volume via pattern-based remediation
• Improved security posture and audit readiness
• Reduced attack surface and operational risk

Required Skills & Experience:

• Technical Expertise
• Strong knowledge of:
• Application vulnerabilities (XSS, API security, libraries)
• Infrastructure risks (DNS, TLS/PKI, cloud misconfigurations)
• Security controls (WAF, CDN, access controls)
• Ability to interpret vulnerability scan outputs (e.g., IONIX-like platforms) and translate into action

Analytical & Problem-Solving:

• Proven ability to:
• Perform root cause analysis across layers
• Identify patterns across large-scale vulnerability data
• Design scalable remediation approaches

Leadership & Execution:

• Experience leading cross-functional remediation programs
• Strong coordination skills across distributed teams (Build, Run, Security)
• Ability to drive execution without direct authority

Communication:

• Translate technical issues into business risk and executive-level insights
• Provide clear, actionable fix guidance to engineering teams