Lead Security Architect

Job summary

Can you lead the security architecture of complex, high-risk programmes and services, embedding a secure-by-design approach across the full system lifecycle?

Have you got experience influencing senior stakeholders and shaping security strategy across government, ensuring alignment with national security standards and evolving cyber threats?

Do you want to play a pivotal role in protecting DVLA’s critical services, championing a risk-led security culture and driving security excellence at scale?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at DVLA roles: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency - Department for Transport Careers

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to join DVLA as a Grade 7 Lead Security Architect, playing a leading role in protecting one of government’s largest and most complex digital estates. You will provide authoritative security architecture leadership across a broad portfolio of systems and services, ensuring that security is embedded by design throughout the full technology lifecycle.

Working at the heart of DVLA’s digital transformation, you will champion a risk-informed, secure-by-design approach, influencing strategy at the most senior levels and collaborating with central government departments, National Technical Authorities and industry partners. If you are a credible security professional who can balance technical depth with strategic thinking, we want to hear from you.

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

1. Interact with senior stakeholders across departments, reaching and influencing a wide range of people across larger teams and communities, and being a security evangelist for the agency. Collaborate with central government departments, including DfT and Cabinet Office, and National Technical Authorities to ensure DVLA services align with cross-government security strategy and controls
2. Identify and articulate complex and subtle security needs, including those driven by emerging threats and organisational risk appetite. Understand the impact of decisions, balancing requirements and deciding between approaches.
3. Be the point of escalation for security consultants and projects.
4. Lead the security design of systems and services, including the development and maintenance of security threat models (STRIDE) and design-level risk assessments to inform security controls. Including any vision, principles and strategy required for the project. Ensuring alignment to Secure by Design principles and government security standards.
5. Support the development risk assessments for system and service designs, ensuring appropriate identification and calculation of threat, impact, attack vectors, initial and residual risk and proportionate control deployment commensurate with principles of defence in depth and breadth

For further information on the role, please read the attached role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Open Sessions: Would you like to find out more about the role, the team and what it’s like to work in our department? If so, we are organising an open session where you can virtually 'meet the team' on 25/06/26 at 12pm. Sign up here

Person specification

You will also hold the following skills and experience:

• Demonstrable experience of security architecture at scale, including threat modelling, risk assessment and the application of Secure by Design principles across complex government or regulated-sector programmes
• Strong ability to communicate complex technical security concepts clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leaders, programme boards and external stakeholders
• Proven track record of leading and influencing multidisciplinary teams, acting as a trusted point of escalation and providing strategic security direction across concurrent programmes and services
• Sound knowledge of security policy, standards and frameworks, including NCSC guidance
• Ability to identify, articulate and manage complex cyber security business risks in a proportionate manner, balancing organisational risk appetite and security economics with operational need and the principles of defence in depth
• Commitment to continuous professional development within the Government security profession, holding an existing relevant qualification such (CISSP, CISM, SABSA, ex-CLAS or equivalent)

Additional Information

This role is part of the Government Digital and Data profession and utilises an enhanced Capability–Based Pay Framework which provides access to a Digital and Data allowance.

The base pay is £57,515. In addition to this the role includes a Digital and Data allowance of up to £24,915.

The value of allowance awarded will be based on an assessment of your skills and experience as demonstrated through the selection process. Here are more details on the pay framework.

At DVLA, licensing is just the start. Every project you implement, touch and deliver has a ripple effect that’ll wash across the nation. Here the work you’re doing has the capacity to change the way 50 million people interact with our services. As we aim to keep our roads some of the safest in the world, our innovative, transformative digital-led services help optimise a nation of individuals and business every single day.

To see how our people are transforming our digital services, head over to our DVLA Digital Services Blog and, to understand more about the great opportunities and benefits of working at DVLA read our Inside DVLA blog.

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week. Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 35 hours per week.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Sponsorship

Please note that we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Licence sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Candidates must ensure they have the appropriate rights to work in the UK before application.

Security Checking

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check. To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out, candidates will be required to have at least 5 years continuous residency in the UK. All applicants for this role must ensure that they meet this minimum residency requirement - if you do not, your application will be withdrawn.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

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

• Enabling and Informing Risk Based Decisions (Practitioner)
• Security Technology (Expert)
• Understanding Security Implications of Transformation (Practitioner)
• Information risk assessment and risk management (Working)
• Threat understanding (Working)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,515, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency contributes £16,662 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Alongside your salary of £57,515, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency contributes £16,662 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Passionate, reliable and always willing to push yourself and those around you, you’ll continue to seek improvement in your own role and challenge us too. Because we pride ourselves on how we approach your development. From training courses to specialist skills workshops and opportunities to grow your expertise, we thrive when you thrive. You can find out more about all of the above here alongside a full list of our benefits:

• Best in class learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues
• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• Digital communities with clear career frameworks
• On-site gym plus personal training available (membership applies)
• On-site nursery, restaurant and coffee bar
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Free parking

There are many more opportunities and great benefits of working at DVLA, visit our Careers website for further information.

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, Experience and Technical skills.

How to apply:

Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's qualifications, skills, and potential fit within our organisation.

The selection process for this role will be:

Stage 1: Sift of CV

Stage 2: Pre-recorded Video Interview

Stage 3: Interview & Presentation

You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.

Stage 1: Sift of CV

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a CV to Inspire People (our Recruitment Partners) which outlines your experience and suitability for the role (based on the experience points outlined in the essential criteria on this advert).

Upon receipt of your CV, DVLA Hiring Managers will complete a sift. Please note; the sift will be completed on a rolling basis whilst the campaign is still live and so there is potential for feedback to be shared with you (on your application) before the advert closes.

To apply please click 'Apply at advertiser's site' at the bottom of the page. For this role you will need to submit a CV.

Please provide detailed evidence of your experience of the following experience:

• Evidence of producing, maintaining and using threat models to support secure architecture and design decisions, ideally across multiple services or delivery phases.
• Evidence of securing a range of technologies, such as cloud, identity, networks, applications, data platforms, end-user services or integration services, using recognised security principles and patterns.
• Evidence of working with architects, engineers, product teams, cyber security colleagues and senior stakeholders to influence secure outcomes and manage security trade-offs.

This sift will take place week commencing 06/07/26.

Stage 2: Pre-recorded video interview

If your application is successful at sift, you will be invited to the first stage of the selection process, hosted by Inspire People. At this stage, you will be asked to complete a short, pre-recorded video assessment. You will be given a question and asked to provide a video response based on the experience points outlined in the essential criteria for this advert.

If you are successful at this stage, you will be invited to a final stage interview, which will include an assessment, conducted by DVLA Hiring Managers.

Stage 3: Interview & Presentation

At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

Behaviours – Making Effective Decisions

Technical –

• Enabling and Informing Risk Based Decisions (Practitioner),
• Security Technology (Expert)
• Understanding Security Implications of Transformation (Practitioner)
• Information risk assessment and risk management (Working)
• Threat understanding (Working) Assessed as part of a Presentation

The interviews will take place week commencing 20/07/26

Please note that the Technical Elements of the role will be assessed against Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework (Skills) which you will be able to access here.

And also utilises some skills from the Secure Systems Architecture and Design role within the Government Security Profession.

This interview will be conducted in person at our DVLA Swansea office, Longview Road, Morriston, Swansea, SA67JL. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site (opens in a new window).

Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.

Further information on the selection process

Feedback on your application can only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

We will also hold a12-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.

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.

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 : Jemma Avo
• Email : ITSRecruitment@dvla.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated
in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here (https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/) to visit Civil Service Commission

Attachments

Role Profile Opens in new window (docx, 123kB)DVLA Digital Job Brochure - V1 2025 Opens in new window (pdf, 2074kB)