Job Description
To support the Chief Information Security Officer in managing and reporting the Information Security Risks faced by Technology Services (TS) in delivering AJ Bell’s systems and services. This role is responsible for facilitating the secure delivery of AJ Bell’s technology and business change. The Information Security Architect will play a lead role in designing and implementing security controls and processes. Key to this is assisting and supporting our colleagues in achieving their goals, but in a secure manner.
The key responsibilities of the role are:
1. Subject matter expertise for security best practice, ensuring the maintenance of the confidentiality, integrity and availability of AJ Bell’s systems and data.
2. Design and implementation of enterprise security technology controls and platforms, following industry best practices.
3. Supporting and advising on projects and change initiatives to ensure that there is no negative impact on our security posture
4. Carrying out internal security reviews both on solutions we develop in house and third-party solutions.
5. Supporting audit and due diligence activities within Technology Services
6. Working with Information Security, Infrastructure and Architecture to define security standards.
7. Acts as an integration point between the CISO and AJ Bell business and technology teams to ensure security is embedded across the organisation
Technical Skills:
8. Demonstrable experience of implementing enterprise security platforms
9. Previous experience of delivering and maintaining of technical enterprise security solutions for (but not limited to) the following areas: End Point Protection, Cloud Security, Network Security, DevOps, Security Monitoring & Remediation is advantageous.
10. Knowledge of Secure Software Development Life Cycle best practices
11. Strong understanding and knowledge of Information Security risk management tools and techniques
12. Experience of security governance and compliance, ideally gained in financial services organisations
13. Demonstrable understanding of Information Security control standards and frameworks e.g. ISO27001, NIST, PCI DSS
14. Awareness and understanding of the Information Security threat landscape
15. Deep understanding of Information Security solutions and controls
16. Experience of Cloud security solutions and standards is highly advantageous
Competence, knowledge, and skills
Competence
17. Experience working within recognised Information Security frameworks and best practices such as ISO27001, NIST etc.
18. 5 years’ experience in an Information Security role gained in a financial services or e-commerce environment is preferred
Knowledge & Skills
19. Excellent communicator, able to translate complex topics to all areas of the business
20. Significant experience in the area of Information security
21. Strong knowledge of core IT and networking concepts
22. Well versed in IT security capabilities, framework and concepts
23. Strong ownership of tasks, attention to detail and following through to conclusion
24. Ability to challenge approach, strategy and implementation to ensure Information Security is consistently considered and improved
25. Ability to work under own initiative to plan and communicate effectively with colleagues and customers
26. Structured, self-starting, flexible and enjoy working in fast-paced environments
27. Effective communication skills, both written and verbal
28. Ability to plan, organise and follow through on assigned tasks and complete with little or no prompting from management
29. Excellent attention to detail
30. Attained CISSP or similar certification
About us:
AJ Bell is one of the fastest-growing investment platform businesses in the UK offering an award-winning range of solutions that caters for everyone, from professional financial advisers to DIY investors with little to no experience. We have over 644,000 customers using our award-winning platform propositions to manage assets totalling more than £103.3 billion. Our customers trust us with their investments, and by continuously striving to make investing easier, we aim to help even more people take control of their financial futures.
Having listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in December 2018, AJ Bell is now a FTSE 250 company.
Headquartered in Manchester with offices in central London and Bristol, we now have over 1,500 employees and have been named one of the UK's 'Best 100 Companies to Work For’ for six consecutive years and in 2024 and 2025 named a Great Place to Work®.
At AJ Bell you can expect a friendly working environment with a strong sense of teamwork, we have a great sense of pride in what we do, and this is reflected in our guiding principles.
Our perks and benefits:
31. Starting holiday entitlement of 26 days, increasing up to 31 days with length of service and a holiday buy and sell scheme
32. A choice of pension schemes with matched contributions up to 7%
33. Discretionary bonus scheme
34. Annual free share awards scheme
35. Buy As You Earn (BAYE) Scheme
36. Health Cash Plan – provided by SimplyHealth
37. Discounted private healthcare scheme and dental plan
38. Free on-site gym providing a wide range of free classes
39. Employee Assistance Programme
40. Bike loan scheme
41. Sick pay+ pledge
42. Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave
43. Discounted nursery fees at Kids Planet on Exchange Quay
44. Loans for travel season tickets
45. Death in service scheme
46. Paid time off for volunteer work
47. Charitable giving opportunities through salary sacrifice
48. Calendar of social events, including monthly payday drinks, annual Christmas party, summer party and much more
49. Parking at Exchange Quay (Subject to availability)
50. Personal development programmes built around you and your career goals, including access to personal skills workshops
51. Ongoing technical training
52. Professional qualification support
53. Talent development programmes
54. Peer recognition scheme, with rewards including restaurant and shopping vouchers or time off
55. Monthly leadership breakfasts and lunches
56. Casual dress code
57. Access to a range of benefits from our sponsorship deals
Hybrid working:
At AJ Bell, our people are the heart of our culture. We believe in building strong connections by working together. That's why we offer a hybrid working model, where you'll spend a minimum of 50% of the month in the office. For new team members, the first 3 months will be spent full-time in the office to help you immerse yourself in our business and build valuable relationships with your colleagues.