Director, Cybersecurity at Asset Living, Dallas-Fort Worth

Asset Living, a nationally recognized third-party real estate management firm headquartered in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, is seeking a strategic and technically accomplished Director, Cybersecurity to lead its enterprise security program. With a rapidly expanding portfolio spanning multifamily, single-family rentals, affordable housing, and student housing divisions, this role safeguards critical infrastructure across one of the most trusted names in real estate.

Director, Cybersecurity at Asset Living — Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

This leadership position is responsible for shaping and executing a multi-year cybersecurity roadmap aligned with NIST CSF 2.0, CIS Controls v8.1, and the organization's broader business objectives, including mergers and acquisitions activity. The successful candidate will centralize and standardize security operations within a serverless, cloud-first Microsoft 365 environment, establishing a scalable operating model that leverages both native Microsoft capabilities and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs).

Core Responsibilities

• Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing internal cybersecurity team while defining clear roles, escalation paths, and accountability structures across internal stakeholders and MSSP partners.
• Maximize security telemetry and threat response through deep integration of Microsoft 365 Defender, Entra ID, Intune, Purview, and third-party platforms.
• Lead the development and continuous refinement of enterprise incident response playbooks, crisis management programs, and recovery testing initiatives.
• Oversee enterprise security monitoring capabilities, including EDR, ITDR, MDR, SIEM, vulnerability management, and cloud security posture management.
• Drive identity and access governance through Entra ID SSO adoption, SCIM-based automated provisioning, and periodic access reviews across all business systems.
• Direct continuous threat exposure management via network vulnerability scanning, external penetration testing, and dark web monitoring.
• Implement measurable security awareness training programs that reduce human risk and provide executive leadership with clear visibility into organizational risk posture.

Required Qualifications

• Relevant degree in Cybersecurity, Information Security, Computer Science, or a related discipline — equivalent professional experience will be considered.
• Minimum 8 years of progressive IT and cybersecurity experience.
• At least 3 years in a dedicated cybersecurity leadership capacity.
• Demonstrated experience leading cybersecurity transformation initiatives aligned with NIST CSF and CIS Controls frameworks.

Application Guidance for Cybersecurity Leaders in Real Estate

Candidates pursuing this position should emphasize hands-on experience with Microsoft's security stack — particularly Defender XDR, Entra ID governance, and Purview data protection — as these form the technological backbone of Asset Living's environment. Highlighting prior success in maturing MSSP relationships, establishing measurable SLAs, and operationalizing telemetry-driven detection programs will distinguish strong applicants. Given the real estate sector's increasing exposure to ransomware and business email compromise attacks, showcasing incident response leadership and tabletop exercise facilitation will resonate with hiring stakeholders.

Professionals who hold certifications such as CISSP, CCISO, or Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect Expert will find their credentials well-aligned with the role's expectations. Networking through communities like ISSA, ISC2 local chapters, or the Real Estate ISAC can also provide valuable industry context.

Asset Living has been recognized as one of the nation's Best and Brightest Places to Work and ranks among the NMHC top 50 professionals. The organization fosters a collaborative culture where leadership is a shared responsibility and every contribution drives collective success. This full-time opportunity, posted on September 19, 2026, remains open through November 19, 2026.