UK Health Security Agency
Deputy Director Cyber Security
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Deputy Director of Cyber Security – UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
Locations: Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London
About the Role
UKHSA is seeking a Deputy Director of Cyber Security to bolster its defences against evolving digital threats. The role involves shaping a robust cyber security capability within Trusted Data & Technology, a critical directorate driving transformative defence systems for public health, data analytics, and surveillance in the UK.
Reporting to the Director of Trusted Data & Technology, you’ll position cyber security resilience at the heart of UKHSA’s mission—ensuring operational continuity and anticipating emerging risks. Collaborating with stakeholders including Government Security Group (GSG), NCSC, and CPNI, this position demands technological acumen and strategic leadership to uphold national health security.
Successfully appointed, you’ll join UKHSA’s Chief Data Officer (CDO) Group, unifying Data & Digital, Analysis & Intelligence Assessment, and security teams to tackle complex threats and mitigate risks proactively.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Governance
- Direct cyber security teams (combining civil servants, contractors, and managed service providers).
- Lead governance, SIRO/risk escalation processes, and incident management, ensuring resilient incident response protocols.
- Play a strategic advisory role to the UKHSA SIRO, delivering actionable decisions across organizational security needs.
Technical & Operational Excellence
- Develop, test, and refine cyber security frameworks, compliance programmes (e.g., DSPT-Caf), and long-term network/data resilience.
- Replicate a "secure by design" ethos across systems and supply chain security practices.
- Oversee 2-year cyber development plans to align with NHS England, NCSC, and CPNI objectives.
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Budget & Commercial Oversight
- Manage a portfolio of budgets, contracts, and supply chain procurement while achieving public sector financial best practice.
- Ensure value-for-money initiatives and compliance with authorisation protocols.
Culture & Stakeholder Management
- Foster an inclusive security culture with alignment to broader UKHSA ambitions.
- Advocate for cyber security bulletproofing, embedding resilience as an operational and governance priority.
- Build High-Level Engagements with Government, industry, and cross-organizational stakeholders.
Reporting Requirements
- Team management: Lead a multi-disciplinary team (~42 staff)—including contractors—specializing in incident response, monitoring, and governance.
- Technical horizon-scan: Adopt a proactive posture in assessing digital threats via integrated intelligence (collaborating with NCSC or shadowcot).
- Policy steering: Collaborate on secure digital transformation strategy, aligning with GDS best practice and cross-government procurement models.
Additional Requirements
- Technical & Strategic Awareness: Keep pace with evolving cyber security threats while advising senior leadership.
- Industry & Government Partnering: Maintain transparent and impactful relationships across government supranational and commercial partners.
Person Specification
Candidates should demonstrate evidence of:
Essential Selection Criteria
- Cyber Security Expertise: Senior practitioner with scalable experience across governance, operational techniques, and risk management.
- Leadership: Capability in building and developing diverse teams, showcasing long-term growth impact and alignment to organisational goals.
- Influencing & Stakeholding: Proven skill in commanding senior-level dialogue, handling adversity in complex governance frameworks.
- Decision-Making & Problem-Solving: Proactiveness in navigating real-time scenarios, using technical expertise to chart best paths forward.
- Risk, Compliance & Governance: Clear comprehension of GDPR, NIS, and civil service security protocols, alongside balanced risk prioritisation.
- Commercial & Financial Acumen: Effective budgetary and contractual oversight, promoting efficiency and financial sustainability.
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Benefits
- abase salary: £130,000 per annum
- Pension: Substantial employer contribution (£37,661) complementing the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme
- Learning & development tailored to your cyber/security progression
- Flexible work arrangements for inclusivity
- Strong commitment to diversity and strength in social purpose
Security considerations:
- Successful candidates undergo developed vetting (standard for dealing with classified material) processes.
- Review UKHSA’s [vetting charter](opens in a new window) and mandatory Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks.
Application Process: Submit a detailed CV & 1250-word Statement of Suitability, focusing on:
- Proof of alignment to the person specification criteria
- Addressing any gaps in the last two years
Registration for an ambiguous informal minds-sharing session (Monday 13th July, 13:30–14:00) is encouraged via scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk (by 17:00 Sunday, 12th July 2026).
Post-application feedback occurs only after interviews.
Nationality Governance: Open to UK nationals only.
Curious eligibility query? Contact: SCS Recruitment Team → scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
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