Job Title:
Chief Security Officer
Organisation:
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Terms:
Permanent, c.£135,000
Benefits:
including Civil Service pension scheme (28.97%)
Location:
London / Leeds / Blackpool / Cardiff / Glasgow / Manchester / Newcastle-upon-Tyne / Sheffield (to be in the office more than 60% of the time)
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is seeking a permanent
Chief Security Officer
. This is an SCS2 grade role and an outstanding opportunity to work in the largest Civil Service Department that touches the lives of citizens the length and breadth of the UK.
This is a unique opportunity for an experienced security professional to provide strategic leadership across DWP, ensuring that physical and cyber threats are fully understood and that explicit cyber and information security risks are identified and effectively mitigated, as well as fulfilling the duties of the Data Protection Officer.
DWP serves over 22 million customers annually – keeping children out of poverty; helping people without jobs to find work so that they can support themselves and their families; ensuring the most vulnerable in society are protected. Now more than ever, the role that DWP plays in supporting society is vital.
You will be a natural relationship builder, comfortable working across a large and complex organisation. You'll be focused on understanding the strategic context, and importantly to ensure threats are understood, and explicit security risks are identified and translated into appropriate mitigations, alongside promoting behaviour and security awareness expectations across the department.
You will have clear business acumen and a strong background in security, cyber, risk management and resilience, which will provide you with the credibility to influence at the most senior level of the department. DWP is looking for an experienced and inclusive senior leader.
The Chief Security Officer role at DWP is one of the biggest security roles in the UK, looking after £250Bn of AME payments, 25 million customers, almost 900 physical locations and approximately 100,000 staff and contractors. You will be a strategic leader, and will be responsible for c.350 staff dispersed across the UK. By virtue of its scale and complexity the role also provides an opportunity to be a key influencer across the Government Security Profession.
The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate their knowledge, experience and skills against the following essential criteria:
* Prior experience of influencing corporate Board-level stakeholders. As the Departmental CSO, the post holder will brief members of the Executive Board on physical, cyber and information security issues.
* Evidence of successfully managing day-to-day security operations at the scale necessary for the department, with extensive experience in the security profession.
* Significant change management experience in a security and information risk management environment and a successful track record of leading large technology transformation and delivery.
* Evidence of decision making – making decisions at the appropriate time, considering the needs of the situation, priorities, constraints, known risks, and the availability of necessary information and resources.
* Evidence of resilience, including the ability to take a robust stance under pressure where necessary and provide clear and unambiguous advice when called upon
* A leader with a track record of successful and inclusive team management. Extensive experience of providing visible and collaborative leadership within a complex organisation with a proven ability to build high performing teams – growing confidence and capability, employee engagement, and an inclusive culture.
It is desirable that applicants hold a recognised professional accreditation and certifications such as UK Cyber Security Council accreditation, CISSP, CISM, CISA, CCSP, or equivalent. Familiarity with International security frameworks and standards (e.g., NIST, CAF, ISO is advantageous.
A detailed candidate pack is available for more information on the vacancy.
Prior Civil Service experience is not a pre-requisite, however, applicants must demonstrate the ability to operate at scale in a complex environment. DWP are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our organisation, we welcome applications to help us reflect the citizens we serve.
This role can be based in the following DWP Hub locations London, Leeds, Blackpool, Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne or Sheffield.
Hybrid working policy: The expectation is that that this role would require the successful candidate to be in the office more than 60% of the time. Travel to other DWP and official locations including London is required which may include overnight stays.
Alongside your salary, the Department for Work and Pensions contributes 28.97% towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Applicants will be required to provide an up-to-date CV and supporting statement (up to 1,250 words) detailing how you meet the role's requirements. You will also provide a completed online diversity monitoring form.
The closing date for applications is Monday 27th October 2024 at 17:00.
To apply, please email
The appointed candidate is required to be security cleared to Developed Vetting (DV) level to undertake the role. Candidates who do not already have this level of clearance can have this undertaken post-appointment. In all cases the appointment remains conditional on this level of security clearance.
DWP is recognised as a Disability Confident Leader, demonstrating the departmental commitment to attracting, recruiting and retaining disabled people and supporting them in achieving their full potential. We run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the advertised role. This vacancy is also part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
(Please note that for candidates requesting to work in Newcastle, this role will be based at Benton Park View from September 2025, and then at 1 Pilgrim Place in Newcastle city centre by the end of 2027.)
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