Purpose of the JCU
The Joint Cyber Unit (JCU) is a collaboration between the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England (NHSE). The JCU is embedded within the Digital Policy Unit (DPU), a unit comprising both DHSC staff and NHSE staff intended to design, plan and build a digitally enabled, data driven and safe health and social care system with ministers and the NHS.
The DPU is a sub-directorate of the Transformation Directorate, which enables the delivery of the best care and outcomes for the NHS and the people it serves by improving population health and patient pathways, rapidly adopting effective technologies, building on insights from data and edge cutting research, and by transforming the way that care is delivered.
The JCU sets develops and implements strategy, policy and standards for cyber security across the NHS and Adult Social Care in England. It has responsibility for designing, implementing and the ongoing assurance of the cyber security system risk management and compliance framework in place across the wider health and care system, as well as simplifying and transforming information governance.
Job Role
As a Deputy Director the post holder will work across the Joint Cyber Unit, which leads on cyber security across the health and care sector (including for NHS organisations, NHS England Regions, Integrated Care Systems, Adult Social Care Providers, and major suppliers of IT products and software to the sector) and increasing compliance with mandated cyber security standards.
The role will lead on:
Leadership and development of teams across JCU
Governance, Risk and Compliance
Strategy and Policy
Stakeholder management and engagement
It is expected that the postholder, will as be required, play a leading role in supporting the management of any NHS or system cyber incidents and will oversee the High Severity Alert Process. This can mean being expected to work out of hours and at weekends.
Our staff bring expertise across clinical, operational, commissioning, technology, data science, cyber security, software engineering, education, and commercial specialisms — enabling us to design and deliver high-quality NHS services.
Our Mission
We lead the NHS in England by:
Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities
Making the NHS a great place to work, where people can develop and make a difference
Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care
Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation
Delivering value for money
Earlier this year, the Government announced that NHS England will gradually merge with the Department of Health and Social Care, to create a smaller, more strategic centre that reduces duplication and waste.
If successful at interview, we will initiate an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). This retrieves key data from your current or previous NHS employer to support onboarding, including competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement. You may opt out at any stage of the process.
Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in-person.
Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band.
Candidate Requirements
We are looking for a candidate that has a strong understanding of cyber security or has technical knowledge.
Proven leadership experience, with the ability to empower and motivate others in a dynamic environment and across organisational boundaries, with an engaging, adaptable, leadership style
Highly developed interpersonal and influencing skills, with the credibility and ability to build excellent relationships with key stakeholders across organisational boundaries and evidence of a collaborative approach
An ability to cope and be resilient under pressure, and to be responsive to new risks and emerging priorities
An understanding or experience of programme management principles and ability to effectively drive delivery
Excellent written and oral communication skills with a proven ability to present complex issues simply and effectively
Important: Please be aware
All NHS England Cyber Security personnel must hold security clearance SC level as a minimum. To meet National Security Vetting requirements, SC clearances require 5 years continuous UK residency. In certain cases, this can be reduced to three years continuous UK residency, with additional overseas checks for the previous two years. Candidates who were posted abroad for service with HM Government, Armed Forces or within a UK government role will still be considered.
Please make sure you meet these requirements before applying for this role.
You don’t need to have SC already, however, failure to achieve the requirements for SC after offer, will result in the job offer being withdrawn.
For further advice please check https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels#security-check-scor contactengland.securityvetting@nhs.net.
This advert closes on Tuesday 24 Mar 2026
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