Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Lead Security Architect
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Darlington, London, Wolverhampton
Job Summary
We are MHCLG
Here at the Ministry of Housing and Local Communities (MHCLG), we work on things that make a real difference to people’s lives. Whether it's through the homes we live in, the work of our local councils, or the communities we’re all a part of, our work is at the top of the political agenda. We have ambitious and far-reaching outcomes to achieve this year and, if you’re thinking of joining us, there’s never been a more exciting time. We have circa 3,500 staff who are based in 20 offices across the UK.
We are looking for a highly skilled Lead Security Architect to shape and deliver our organisation’s security architecture strategy. You will ensure our digital and cloud services are secure, resilient, and aligned with government standards, working across Azure and AWS environments. As a Lead Security Architect, you will:
- Set security architecture direction, standards, and governance approach.
- Set direction and contribute to, as well as create, reusable cloud design patterns that embed security standards and controls, while providing expert security architecture guidance and advice.
- Collaborate with Enterprise Architects, Platform Architects, and Cyber Security teams.
- Embed secure by design principals across programmes and projects.
- Conduct design reviews for projects and platform teams artefacts ensuring alignment with security best practices, standards, and policies.
You will enable teams to deliver secure, innovative digital services at scale, balancing risk and compliance with modern technology solutions.
Find out more about our Digital teams and what they are working on through our MHCLG Digital blog. Please note that MHCLG do not offer visa sponsorship and applicants will need a valid visa for the duration of your employment.
Job Description
As a Lead Security Architect, you'll:
- Lead the design and assurance of secure system architectures, defining reusable patterns, principles, and guardrails for complex cloud and network services in collaboration with Enterprise Architects
- Act as a trusted technical advisor to product, cyber, architecture, and engineering teams, enabling the delivery of secure, scalable, cloud hosted service
- Communicate security and risk considerations effectively to both technical and nontechnical stakeholders, aligning expectations and building consensus
- Drive risk based decision making through threat modelling, structured risk assessments, and assurance of major change and transformation initiatives
- Develop, maintain, and embed architectural standards, policies, and models that align with regulatory and organisational requirements
- Ensure services adhere to NCSC and wider government SecurebyDesign principles throughout the delivery lifecycle
- Provide architectural and security guidance, mentoring, and support; foster a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement across engineering and architecture communities
- Contribute to the organisation's future state architecture, including cloud migration strategies and platform modernisation initiatives
- Offer line management, coaching, and thought leadership to build high performing teams and an environment that encourages innovation and professional growth
As a Lead Security Architect, You'll
- Lead the design and assurance of secure system architectures, defining reusable patterns, principles, and guardrails for complex cloud and network services in collaboration with Enterprise Architects
- Act as a trusted technical advisor to product, cyber, architecture, and engineering teams, enabling the delivery of secure, scalable, cloud hosted service
- Communicate security and risk considerations effectively to both technical and nontechnical stakeholders, aligning expectations and building consensus
- Drive risk based decision making through threat modelling, structured risk assessments, and assurance of major change and transformation initiatives
- Develop, maintain, and embed architectural standards, policies, and models that align with regulatory and organisational requirements
- Ensure services adhere to NCSC and wider government SecurebyDesign principles throughout the delivery lifecycle
- Provide architectural and security guidance, mentoring, and support; foster a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement across engineering and architecture communities
- Contribute to the organisation's future state architecture, including cloud migration strategies and platform modernisation initiatives
- Offer line management, coaching, and thought leadership to build high performing teams and an environment that encourages innovation and professional growth
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Person specification
As a Lead Security Architect, you’ll have:
- Demonstratable track record in designing and assuring secure architectures across premises environments and major cloud platforms (AWS and Azure)
- Strong experience producing enterprise patterns, templates, and reusable architectural designs
- Deep expertise in AWS/Azure security, governance, architecture practices, and cross-platform service design including AI-related services
- Strong understanding of security in the SDLC (shift-left), including GitHub, Terraform, Microsoft 365 Defender, Databricks, and Zero Trust
- In-depth knowledge of security frameworks and regulatory requirements (GDPR, PCI DSS, etc.)
- Expertise in network security: segmentation, firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS
- Familiarity with IAM, SIEM, DLP, encryption, vulnerability management, and SOAR
- Strong understanding of application security for web, APIs, and microservices, including secure coding and threat modelling
- Demonstrated leadership within enterprise architecture; able to set standards and guide teams effectively
- Ability to deliver enterprise architectures and security roadmaps, especially for cloud transformation; strong senior level stakeholder management
Desirable Criteria
- Professional security or cloud security certifications (e.g., CISSP, SABSA, AWS Security Specialty, Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect Expert)
- Experience applying SecurebyDesign and Gov Assure approaches across government or large federated organisations
- Experience in AI security, including emerging model threats, data interaction risks, and appropriate mitigation strategies
Alongside your salary of £58,092, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government contributes £16,829 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
At MHCLG we offer many benefits that range from tailored career pathways and flexible working to MyLifestyle Childcare Voucher and Cycle to Work Schemes. For more information, please click here.
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.
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Selection process details
Application and Selection
The application process will be split into 2 stages, testing the following Success Profiles:
- Behaviours
- Experience
- Technical
Please ensure your CV does not contain any personally identifiable information.
Note: We do not consider direct CV applications. All applications must be submitted via the provided application link.
Stage 1: Sift (CV)
Experience & Technical: In your CV please describe how you align to the skills and experience listed in the “person specification” section
Stage 2: Technical Ability Test
Candidates at this stage will be invited for a technical test that will take between 30-40 minutes - the test will be scored and those that score above the benchmark will be invited to interview for the role.
Stage 3: Interview
- Behaviours: "Making Effective Decisions", "Communicating and Influencing", "Delivering at Pace", "Seeing The Big Picture"
- Experience: Experience questions will be based around the essential skills and criteria as listed in the job description.
- Technical: Technical questions will be based around the essential skills and criteria as listed in the job description
Sift and Interview Dates
Sifting is envisaged to take place from 3rd August 2026.
Interviews are currently being held remotely via videocall. This could be subject to change.
Group 1 Digital & Data Roles
MHCLG has implemented the Digital and Data capability framework for Group 1 roles. Applicants that are successful and have been offered a position will be required to complete a capability assessment after the interview.
MHCLG will honour completed capability assessments for this role from other Government Departments for existing civil servants on level transfer only. Please provide a copy of your capability assessment to the Hiring Manager when applying. If you have any queries on pay, please contact the Hiring Manager.
Each experience or technical skill is assessed between 1-3, representing working towards, at, or above the job level requirements. You are awarded a proficiency level accordingly, and you will be given opportunity to annually re-assess your capability and potentially increase your overall remuneration, through payment of allowances, depending on level of assessed capability.
Candidates moving from another government department have the option to retain their current basic pay if this is within our pay band for the relevant grade.
Grade 7 Group 1 Digital and Data salary
The basic pay for this role will be between £63,483 - £72,287 (London), £58,092 - £66,742 (National). Candidates will usually be recruited to the median of the pay scale. A digital allowance may also be payable depending on the level of assessed capability, in order to meet the MHCLG overall targeted remuneration rate for the specific grade, location, and capability rating. For applicants in receipt of existing allowances, we will assess each case individually, but we would seek not to exceed the MHCLG overall targeted remuneration rate for the specific grade, location, and capability rating for existing civil servants. The usual policy on level transfer and promotion will apply, subject to the statements above.
How We Recruit
Find out everything you need to know before applying here.
- Applying
- Sifting
- Interview
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