Job description
As Cyber Security Lead (Grade 8b subject to banding), you will provide strategic leadership, governance and assurance for cyber security across The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, acting with delegated authority from the CIO and SIRO. You will ensure cyber security enables safe, resilient, and trustworthy digital services that protect patient information and support clinical care, aligned to the Trust and Digital Strategies and national NHS cyber priorities. You will oversee cyber security services delivered by internal teams and third‑party suppliers, maintain a clear view of cyber risk exposure, and provide high‑quality reporting and escalation to senior governance and Board‑level forums.
Develop, own and maintain the Trust Cyber Security Strategy and Roadmap, aligned to Trust objectives and national NHS cyber policy.
Main duties of the job
Strategic Cyber Security Leadership
1. Act as the Trust's senior authority on cyber security risk, providing expert advice, assurance and appropriate challenge to executive and Board‑level forums.
2. Translate national requirements and frameworks (including DSPT & the NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework) into pragmatic, risk‑based controls & improvement plans.
3. Establish and maintain robust governance, policies, standards and assurance processes; lead the annual Data Security and Protection Toolkit submission.
4. Maintain oversight of the cyber security risk register to ensure risks are assessed, owned, mitigated and escalated appropriately.
5. Provide high‑quality cyber risk and assurance reporting to Digital governance groups, Audit/Risk & Assurance Committees & the Trust Board.
6. Provide strategic oversight of cyber operations (monitoring, incident response, vulnerability management, identity & access management) delivered internally & via third parties; assure the effectiveness of managed services.
7. Embed secure‑by‑design principles across architecture, procurement and project delivery; provide cyber input to high‑risk initiatives including risk assessments, threat modelling & assurance reviews.
8. Promote a positive security culture through engagement & awareness activities across clinical, operational and corporate teams.
9. Contribute to business continuity, disaster recovery & cyber resilience planning, including exercises, testing & post‑incident learning; participate in out‑of‑hours incident response where required.
Cyber Governance, Risk and Assurance
1. Establish and maintain a robust cyber security governance framework, including policies, standards and assurance processes.
2. Lead delivery and annual submission of the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT), incorporating NCSC CAF‑aligned assurance where applicable.
3. Maintain oversight of the cyber security risk register, ensuring risks are assessed, owned, mitigated and escalated appropriately.
4. Provide high‑quality cyber risk and assurance reporting to Digital governance groups, Audit, Risk and Assurance Committees and on occasion to the Trust Board.
5. Lead the cyber security resources and services, providing strategic leadership and oversight of services, resources and contracts delivered internally or through third‑party suppliers.
6. Ensure cyber security investments and services deliver value for money and are aligned to Trust's risk appetite and priorities.
7. Contribute to Trust‑level financial and capacity planning to ensure cybersecurity considerations are embedded in digital investment decisions.
Oversight of Cyber Security Operations
1. Provide strategic oversight of cyber security operations, including security monitoring, incident response, vulnerability management and identity and access management.
2. Assure the effectiveness of third‑party and managed cybersecurity services.
3. Support coordinated response to cybersecurity incidents, working with the SIRO, Digital leadership and external partners.
Secure Design and Change Enablement
1. Ensure secure‑by‑design principles are embedded into system architecture, procurement and project delivery.
2. Provide expert cyber input to high‑risk initiatives, including risk assessments, threat modelling and assurance reviews.
3. Enable delivery of digital change whilst maintaining appropriate cyber security controls.
Leadership, Engagement and Culture
1. Act as an ambassador for cybersecurity, promoting a positive security culture and shared ownership across the Trust.
2. Line‑manage the cyber security team, responsible for appraisal, sickness absence management, recruitment and selection decisions.
3. Build trusted relationships with clinical, operational and corporate stakeholders.
4. Support cyber awareness and capability development across the organisation.
5. Demonstrate the agreed set of values and be accountable for own attitude and behaviour.
6. Hold financial responsibilities as a delegated budget holder, ensuring contract value for money.
Business Continuity and Resilience
1. Contribute to business continuity, disaster recovery and cyber resilience planning.
2. Support cyber‑related exercises, testing and post‑incident learning.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Masters Degree or equivalent experience in cyber security, information security or related discipline
* Recognised cyber or information security qualification, or demonstrable equivalent experience (e.g. CISSP, CISM, ISO 27001)
* Continued professional Development courses related to information security
* Membership of a relevant professional body (BCS, ISACA or equivalent)
Experience
* Significant experience in cyber security leadership, governance, risk and assurance roles
* Experience of NHS or public sector cybersecurity frameworks, including DSPT and NCSC CAF.
* Demonstrable experience of providing cyber risk advice, assurance and challenge to Executive Management Teams and Trust Boards
* Experience in a similar role for the NHS or Healthcare setting
Skills
* Ability to document and present highly complex and sensitive cyber risk information to technical and non‑technical audiences
* Strong judgement in balancing cyber risk, patient safety and service delivery
Knowledge
* Expert knowledge of cybersecurity governance, assurance and regulatory compliance best practices
* Evidence of commitment to keeping up to date with current threats
Values
* Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours
Other
* Flexible, resilient and collaborative approach
* Participation in out‑of‑hours cyber incident response if required
* Able to participate in an out‑of‑hours on‑call rota if required
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
£66,582 to £77,368 a year (Pro Rata Per Annum)
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