Head Of Cyber Operations Defence

Job summary

The Cabinet Office supports the Prime Minister and ensures the effective running of government. It is also the corporate headquarters for government, in partnership with HM Treasury, and takes the lead in certain critical policy areas.

We are the Cabinet Office’s cyber security team, and our mission is to secure the department against cyber threats. We protect our nationwide internal IT infrastructure, and high-profile citizen-facing digital services such as GOV.UK.

Job description

As the Head of Cyber Operations Defence, you will:

• work closely with the Deputy Director of Cyber and information Security (CISO) to design, and drive implementation and delivery of, the department’s cyber security strategy and roadmap
• deputise for the Deputy Director of Cyber and Information Security (CISO) as required, including attending the Digital Senior Leadership Team, Technical Design Authority, and programme boards
• lead the Cabinet Office’s cyber security operations function, by providing strategic direction and coordinating day-to-day delivery of threat intelligence, threat detection, incident response, vulnerability management and ethical hacking capabilities
• Oversea and support the technical response to major cyber security incidents and critical vulnerabilities impacting the Cabinet Office
• identify and deliver opportunities for continual improvement of the security operations function and identify areas for maturity building in line with best practice in government sector
• brief senior stakeholders on cyber security threats, vulnerabilities, incidents, and mitigations
• work closely alongside other cyber and information security functions, supporting the continual improvement of wider capabilities
• work with stakeholders from across the Cabinet Office to ensure an end-to-end approach to cyber security, and ensure that cyber security is embedded in other central and local functions
• work with Government Security Group, the National Technical Authorities (e.g., NCSC) and law enforcement to ensure knowledge sharing and collaboration
• contribute to the overall development of the Cabinet Office Digital and the Government Security profession
• be responsible for leadership and line management of senior and lead analysts.

Person specification

We’re interested in people who have:

• high levels of personal resilience, remaining calm under pressure with the ability to think and act strategically, developing practical, creative and innovative solutions, business models and approaches, and implementing these
• experience leading an operational cyber security function, or the delivery of cyber security capabilities in an organisation
• experience building, developing, and managing diverse and high-performing teams
• experience leading operational and strategic planning
• experience building and implementing strong operational processes
• familiarity with setting, monitoring and reporting measurable performance objectives
• a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of cyber threats, vulnerabilities and mitigations, including a technical background and awareness of modern threat landscape, including emerging threats
• a risk-based approach to decision making
• excellent communication skills, and a track record of delivering clear and concise written and verbal communications to senior stakeholders on complex issues
• an ability to form strong working relationships, influence others, and coordinate activities across multiple teams
• a problem-solving mindset, and an ability to analyse complex issues and identify simple and deliverable solutions which balance quality and long-term sustainability with need for rapid delivery

It’s desirable that you have:

• Professional certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or equivalent.
• an understanding of new and emerging digital technologies and the opportunities they provide to improve the delivery of public services in the UK and their security implications
• ability to share expertise and promote diversity while navigating a complex organisation.

Additional information:

Cabinet Office policy is that a minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. For some roles, due to their nature and the business need, this may be up to 100%. Requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Developing Self and Others

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £69,308, Cabinet Office contributes £20,078 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Application process

The application process requires

• A CV
• Examples against the behaviours listed in the advert

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Applications will be sifted on CV and the following behaviours: Developing Self and Others, Seeing the Bigger Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Leadership and Managing a Quality Service.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead behaviour, Leadership. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Selection process

For the format of the interview, it will split into 2 interviews and will be a fireside chat and a Face to face meeting at 1 Horseguards Road, London SW1A 2HQ against all the behaviours: Developing Self and Others, Seeing the Bigger Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Leadership and Managing a Quality Service.

In the first interview there will be an informal chat with the Chief Information Security Officer and the acting Head of Cyber.

In the second interview you will be assessed on the behaviours that are listed above.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – w/c 11/06/26

Expected interview date – w/c 25/06/26

Interview location - Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Further information

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : codigitalrecruitment@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
• Email : codigitalrecruitment@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service by email at : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at info@csc.gov.uk. For further information on the Recruitment Principles and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/.

Attachments

Cabinet Office Employee Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 302kB)Cabinet Office Terms and Conditions - External 2025-02-20 (1) Opens in new window (docx, 83kB)