Cyber Security Lead

Job Role

We're hiring for a Cyber Security Lead to join our IT Services team, based in Hockley, with hybrid or remote working considered. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced cyber security professional to lead our security strategy, governance, assurance, and operational security activities while helping to shape the future of our cyber security services.

As our senior hands-on cyber security specialist, you'll be responsible for leading the organisation's cyber security roadmap, vulnerability management programme, security operations, governance frameworks, and compliance activities. You'll provide technical leadership across security technologies such as Microsoft Sentinel, the Microsoft Defender suite, Huntress, Tenable, identity security, cloud security, and incident response capabilities.

You'll work closely with the Head of IT Services, wider technical teams, customers, and senior stakeholders to ensure security remains aligned with business objectives while maintaining a practical focus on risk reduction and service improvement. You'll also lead and develop the Cyber Security Engineer role, helping to build capability and maturity across our security function.

We're looking for a confident and technically credible security leader who is comfortable operating at both a strategic and operational level. You'll be equally at home advising senior stakeholders, leading major security initiatives, supporting customer engagements, and getting involved in complex technical investigations when required.

In return for your dedication, knowledge, and commitment, we're offering a competitive salary of £70,000 to £75,000 and a fantastic benefits package including:
• 25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays + Birthday Day off (with the opportunity to buy additional days)
• 2 Volunteer Days
• Pension - 5% Employee / 5% Employer
• Healthcare Cash Plan, including 3x salary life assurance
• Annual salary review
• Refer a friend scheme
• Free access to Benefit Hub, including retail discounts, cycle to work scheme, and additional voluntary benefits

Location: Hockley (Hybrid/Remote considered)

Hours: Full Time, 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 14th of October 2026

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and maintain the organisation's cyber security strategy, roadmap, and improvement programme.
• Own cyber security governance, policies, standards, risk management practices, and security assurance activities.
• Lead Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus, and support ISO27001 compliance, audit, and improvement initiatives.
• Own the vulnerability management programme, ensuring risks are prioritised, managed, and remediated effectively.
• Provide technical leadership across Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Defender, identity, cloud, endpoint, and infrastructure security technologies.
• Lead significant cyber security incidents, investigations, response activities, and post-incident reviews.
• Act as a trusted adviser to customers and stakeholders, providing security guidance, reporting, and improvement recommendations.
• Line manage and support the development of the Cyber Security Engineer while driving continuous improvement across security services and processes.

Skills and Experience

• Extensive experience in a senior cyber security engineering, consultancy, security operations, or technical leadership role.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Defender technologies, vulnerability management platforms, cloud security, identity security, and incident response.
• Demonstrable experience leading Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certification activities.
• Strong understanding of ISO27001, governance frameworks, security controls, audit requirements, and risk management practices.
• Experience managing vulnerability programmes, security roadmaps, and organisational security improvement initiatives.
• Experience leading complex investigations and coordinating responses to significant security incidents.
• Strong customer-facing, presentation, advisory, and senior stakeholder management skills.
• Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CCSP, SC-100, SC-200, CySA+ or equivalent would be advantageous.

Additional Information

Our IT Services team is committed to delivering secure, resilient, and innovative technology services that enable our colleagues and customers to succeed. As Cyber Security Lead, you'll play a pivotal role in protecting our business, strengthening our security capabilities, and ensuring we continue to meet the highest standards of cyber resilience and assurance.

This role provides an excellent opportunity to influence strategic decision-making, shape the future direction of cyber security services, and build strong relationships with customers and stakeholders. You'll work across a broad range of technologies and initiatives while helping to create a culture where security is embedded into everything we do.

As part of an employee-owned organisation, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We value innovation, collaboration, and professional development, creating an environment where talented individuals are empowered to make a genuine difference.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion and welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of background, age, disability, gender identity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.