Chief Cybersecurity Strategy & Risk Officer

UK Ministry of Defence; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 73,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with specialist £7,

Job summary

UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) seeks a senior Head of Cyber Security to set strategic direction across enterprise IT, scientific computing, and operational technology. You will act as principal adviser to executives, govern cyber policy, and lead a multidisciplinary team in a highly regulated science environment.

You will embed Secure by Design, oversee cyber risk posture, and represent UKAEA with government and regulators.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified or equivalent in Cyber Security, IT, Engineering or related field.
• Experience leading an enterprise cyber security or governance function.
• Experience delivering cyber security strategies and roadmaps with multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience advising executive Boards and Audit Committees on cyber risk and investments.
• Experience in regulated government, defence, or national infrastructure environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver UKAEA's cyber security strategy and multi-year roadmap.
• Lead the cyber security function; own governance, policies, and operating principles.
• Oversee enterprise cyber risk; advise ARAC and Exec Committees on risk appetite and priorities.
• Lead cyber assurance, regulatory compliance and security improvement (GovAssure, CAF, ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials Plus).
• Oversee audits, cyber resilience, DR/IR and apply lessons learned across IT, research and OT environments.
• Oversee cyber monitoring, detection, response and recovery; lead during major incidents.
• Embed Secure by Design across major programmes; influence technology decisions and investments.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation; set profession standards and workforce strategy.
• Represent UKAEA with government, regulators, NCSC, and industry partners.

Skills

Cyber security leadership

Strategy development

Governance & risk

Executive advisory

Education

Degree in Cyber Security/IT/Engineering

Tools

ISO 27001

GovAssure

Secure by Design

Job description

UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) seeks a senior Head of Cyber Security to set strategic direction across enterprise IT, scientific computing, and operational technology. You will act as principal adviser to executives, govern cyber policy, and lead a multidisciplinary team in a highly regulated science environment.

You will embed Secure by Design, oversee cyber risk posture, and represent UKAEA with government and regulators.