Senior Security Policy & Standards Manager

Job summary

The Senior Security Policy and Standards Manager will play a pivotal role in shaping, governing, and enabling security across DWP.

Operating in a dynamic, highly reactive environment, the role ensures that security policy keeps pace with organisational priorities and supports the DWP 2030 strategy, while maintaining proportionate, risk‑based controls that protect the department’s people, services, and data.

This is a role that requires effective decision‑making skills, confident interpretation of complex issues, and the ability to respond at speed to new policy demands, emerging risks, and operational challenges. As a senior manager, you will lead the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of security policies and standards, ensuring they remain relevant and adaptable in a rapidly changing technology and threat landscape. Rather than enforcing static requirements, you will guide the organisation towards flexible, outcome‑focused controls that enable innovation and service transformation without compromising security.

A key part of the role is providing clear, authoritative advice to senior leaders, programme teams, and operational colleagues. You will act as a strategic partner—translating security needs into practical, proportionate requirements, and ensuring that work within DWP can progress quickly and confidently. This includes steering discussions, supporting senior leader decision making and ensuring policies reflect both regulatory obligations and the realities of delivery at scale.

Collaboration and an ability to influence are essential. You will work closely with architects, cyber-security specialists, operational colleagues, and senior stakeholders to embed a shared understanding of risk and secure-by-design principles. You will ensure that policy remains balanced, reducing unnecessary burden while safeguarding critical services relied upon by millions.

Ultimately, the Senior Security Policy and Standards Manager ensures that DWP can move at pace—innovating, transforming, and preparing for 2030—while maintaining a strong and evidence‑based security posture. By combining strategic vision with responsive leadership and practical delivery, the role ensures that security remains both a trusted enabler and a source of assurance across the department.

Job description

• Develop, deliver and maintain a framework of security policies and standards that support DWP objectives.
• Develop and manage the security policy and standards governance process to ensure the policy and standards portfolio. continues to meet current and emerging business needs, priorities and best practice, and are updated as threats evolve based on horizon scanning.
• Working with subject matter experts and domains, such as security architects and security assurance teams to ensure policies and standards accurately reflect known threats.
• Developing and drafting new security policies and standards as and when required.
• Ensure the Departmental security policy portfolio complies with security obligations, statutory requirements, industry. developments, best practice and standards, as well as legal obligations such as the Data Protection Act, Computer Misuse Act, and Freedom of Information Act, and ISO27001/2, NIST CSF, HMG Policy Framework (SPF), HMG Functional Standards and Cabinet Office Directives.
• Provide advice and support to the business on security policy matters.
• Managing individuals within the team, supporting their development and capability within the security profession.

Person specification

• Experience of industry standards and relevant legislation for information security and resilience policies and control frameworks such as the ISO27000 series, NIST CSF, the Data Protection Act, and the legal and regulatory framework in which they operate would be beneficial.
• Experience in the concepts and application of information security, and of current IT security, with practical experience of data protection and information risk principles and technologies, with the ability to explain the purpose and provide advice and support.
• Can demonstrate strong written communication skills, with the ability to draft clear, concise and accurate documents tailored to a range of audiences.
• Technical knowledge and subject‑matter expertise is desirable, particularly in areas relevant to the role.
• Must have, or be willing to work towards, CISMP qualification within 12 months of starting the role, and other relevant qualifications relating to the security profession over their career.
• Must have, or be willing to obtain, national security vetting to the level of Security Check (SC).

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Seeing the Big Picture

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,447, Department for Work and Pensions contributes £12,876 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
• Generous annual leave – at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
• Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
• Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
• Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
• An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.

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, Strengths and Experience.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV, a 500 word Personal Statement and 250 words on the lead behaviour. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Written Sift

The written sift will be conducted using evidence from your CV and Personal Statement and will be assessed against the essential criteria within the advert.

In the event of a large number of applications we will use the Lead Behaviour of "Seeing the Big Picture" to initially assess your application during the Sift stage. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Interview

Candidates who progress from the sift will be invited to attend a virtual interview. The interview panel will consist of three people. The interview will assess against the behaviours listed above and one strength based question. Theinterview aims to explore the candidate’s capability for the role.

Further Information​

At the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.

Find out more about working for DWP on the DWP Careers Hub.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

If you are placed on a reserve list but we cannot immediately offer you a post, please note:

• If you are later offered the role you applied for, in a location you have expressed a preference for, and you decline the offer or are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances (e.g. a contractual Part Time Working Pattern cannot be accommodated in the initial role offered or in cases of serious ill health).
• If DWP makes an offer of an alternative role or location to that which you originally applied for, and you decline that offer, you will be able to remain on the reserve list.

Disability Confident Scheme

If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards.

Reasonable Adjustments

We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact the Government Recruitment Service via DWPRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Reasonable Adjustments” 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.

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

Integrity, plagiarism and Civil Service Principles

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles.

Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words.

Examples of plagiarism can include:

• Presenting the work, ideas and experience of others as your own
• Copying content or answers from an online or published source that is not your own

Disclosure and Barring Service and Internal Fraud Database Checks

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

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.

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

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

Important

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

Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. If you are a current employee and are successful you must be able to be released from your current post within four weeks.

Those on protected TUPE/ COSoP terms and conditions applying on promotion or voluntary permanent level move will adopt DWP’s Terms and Conditions and this may have a different impact on pay and allowances. Please review this prior to acceptance of a role.

Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing. Accepting a post will be taken to mean acceptance of revised terms & conditions.

Civil Servants applying on promotion will usually be appointed to the salary minimum or within 10% of existing salary.

Any move to DWP 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. Determine your eligibility at the Childcare Choices Website.

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.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 : James Clancy
• Email : james.clancy@dwp.gov.uk
• Telephone : 07741232768

Recruitment team

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

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DWP by email: HR.BUSINESSASSURANCE@DWP.GOV.UK.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Click here to visit the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

DWP Terms and Conditions January 2024 Opens in new window (docx, 17kB)Success-Profiles-Candidate-Overview Opens in new window (pdf, 635kB)