Job Description: IT & Compliance Manager
Location: Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
Salary: £75-100k DOE
(Note: This role requires the ability to obtain SC level British Security clearance)
Overview
Our client is a defence technology company delivering integrated air defence and autonomous systems for allied and NATO-aligned nations. The successful candidate will be responsible for establishing IT compliance projects in the UK aerospace and defence sector, and managing strategic partnerships, navigating regulatory frameworks, and driving execution on the ground to support the business.
Role Overview
The role will lead the strategic and operational delivery of secure, resilient, and scalable information systems across our UK and European operations. This role is responsible for safeguarding sensitive information environments, supporting mission-critical digital infrastructure, and aligning IT strategy with evolving engineering and production needs, whilst adhering to multiple compliance frameworks.
Key Responsibilities
Cybersecurity & Compliance
* Ensure compliance with MOD, NATO, EU, and host-nation defence standards (e.g. JSP 604, DEFCON 658, NIST 800-171, ISO/IEC 27001).
* assist in implementing zero-trust architecture principles and oversee secure-by-design implementation in all IT systems.
* Lead cyber risk governance, red team testing programmes, and incident response planning. Infrastructure & Systems Management.
* assist with the delivery, maintenance, and security of core infrastructure: secure networks, cloud services (Azure/AWS MOD tenancy), endpoints, SCIF integration, and data centres.
* Deliver business continuity and disaster recovery capabilities across multi-jurisdictional operations.
Programme Support & Integration
* Support engineering and R&D teams by integrating IT systems into software development, prototyping, and classified test environments.
Governance, Procurement & Team Leadership
* Assist with leading the IT function across multiple sites and jurisdictions (UK and EU), managing internal staff and external suppliers.
* Help oversee IT procurement, ensuring supply chain compliance with UK and EU export controls and defence procurement frameworks.
* Report to leadership and board-level governance forums on cyber posture, digital readiness, and resilience.
Required Qualifications & Competencies
* Proven leadership in a senior IT and compliance role within a high-security or defence environment (UK, NATO, or EU).
* Demonstrated competence with secure environments (e.g. IL3/IL4/IL5, SCIF, air-gapped systems).
Deep knowledge of:
* MOD and NATO security policies (JSPs, DEFCONs, STANAGs),
* NIST, CIS, ISO/IEC 27001 frameworks,
* UK NCSC principles and secure-by-design methodologies.
* Competent with cross-border IT operations, including data sovereignty, dual-use controls, and export classification.
* Strong track record of leading infrastructure, IT operations, and security architecture at enterprise scale.
Desirable
* SC or DV clearance active or recently held (or NATO/EU equivalent).
* Relevant certifications: CISSP, CISM, CCSP, ITIL4, TOGAF, AWS/Azure Architect.
* Competent working with government primes, DASA, BAAINBw, OCCAR, or NATO entities.
* Familiarity with the requirements of Cyber Essentials Plus, NIS2, and EU Dual-Use Regulation.