Senior XDR Specialist
Location: Cheltenham, Manchester or London
Role Purpose
Love the buzz of turning noisy security data into sharp, automated defence? At NCC Group, you'll help well-known brands get the most from Microsoft's security stack — designing Sentinel-led detection and response, wiring up smart SOAR playbooks, and shaping XDR strategy that actually lands. It's hands-on, high-impact work with a team that backs experimentation, knowledge-sharing and doing things properly.
Summary
* Build & tune Microsoft Sentinel: data connectors, normalisation, analytics rules, UEBA, watchlists, workbooks and cost-savvy ingestion strategies.
* Orchestrate & automate: create pragmatic SOAR playbooks (Logic Apps/Power Automate) that slash MTTR and remove toil.
* XDR in the real world: deploy and optimise Microsoft Defender XDR across endpoints, identity, email and cloud; align detections to MITRE ATT&CK and real threats.
* Hunt & respond: KQL-led threat hunting, incident triage guidance, detection content packs, purple-team style improvements.
* Secure the data: advise on Purview information protection & DLP, from policy design to pilot and rollout.
* Make it land: roadmaps, runbooks, and regular stakeholder updates — translating deep technical detail into business-ready outcomes.
* Coach & mentor: guide junior consultants; share patterns, reusable content and lessons learned.
* Shape opportunities: support presales scoping, proposals and estimation for consulting and implementation work.
What we are looking for in you
* Proven experience delivering Microsoft security projects: Sentinel (must-have), Defender XDR, SOAR (Logic Apps), and Purview/DLP.
* Comfortable with KQL and scripting (PowerShell); version control with Git.
* A knack for cost optimisation (ingestion, retention, table choices, Basic vs Analytics).
* Solid consulting skills — workshops, architecture reviews, stakeholder management and great written reports.
* Familiarity with control frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST CSF/800-53, PCI DSS, GDPR) and how to evidence them in Microsoft cloud.
Nice-to-haves (not show-stoppers)
* Azure Resource Manager/Bicep or IaC pipelines
* Entra ID/Conditional Access
* Defender for Cloud
* Intune
* MITRE mapping
* Incident response exposure
* Certifications such as SC-200/SC-100, CISSP/CISM, ISO 27001 LA/LI, PCI QSA.
Ways of working
Focusing on Clients and Customers.
Working as One NCC.
Always Learning.
Being Inclusive and Respectful.
Delivering Brilliantly.
Our company
At NCC Group, our mission is to create a more secure digital future. That mission underpins everything we do, from our work with our incredible clients to groundbreaking research shaping our industry. Our teams' partner with clients across a multitude of industries, delving into, securing new products, and emerging technologies, as well as solving complex security problems. As global leaders in cyber and escrow, NCC Group is a people-powered business seeking the next group of brilliant minds to join our ranks.
Our colleagues are our greatest asset, and NCC Group is committed to providing an inclusive and supportive work environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, authenticity, and accountability. We want colleagues to put down roots at NCC Group, and we offer a comprehensive benefits package, as well as opportunities for learning and development and career growth. We believe our people are at their brilliant best when they feel bolstered in all aspects of their well-being, and we offer wellness programs and flexible working arrangements to provide that vital support.
Come join us?
What do we offer in return?
We have a high-performance culture which is balanced evenly with world-class well-being initiatives and benefits:
* Flexible working
Financial & Investment
Pension
Life Assurance
Share Save Scheme
Maternity & Paternity leave
Community & Volunteering Programmes
* Green Car Scheme
Cycle Scheme
Employee Referral Program
Lifestyle & Wellness
Learning & Development
So, what's next?
If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, then we would love to hear from you Click on apply to this job to send us your CV and cover letter and the relevantmember of our global talent team will be in touch with you. Alternatively send your details to
.
About your application
We review every application received and will get in touch if your skills and experience match what we're looking for. If you don't hear back from us within 10 days, please don't be too disappointed – we may keep your CV on our database for any future vacancies and we would encourage you to keep an eye on our career opportunities as there may be other suitable roles.
If you do not want us to retain your details, please email
. All personal data is held in accordance with the NCC Group Privacy Policy (
candidate-privacy-notice- )
). We are committed to diversity and flexibility in the workplace. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you during the application process, please tell us at any stage.
Please note that this role involves mandatory pre-employment background checks due to the nature of the work NCC Group does. To apply, you must be willing and able to undergo the vetting process. This role being advertised will be subject to BS7858 screening as a mandatory requirement.