Chief Information Security Officer

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO); Hanslope; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) invites applications for a Chief Information Security Officer. Based at Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes, with hybrid working, this role provides strategic leadership for information and cyber security to support digital transformation within the department.

You will lead the Information Security function, govern risk, deliver security initiatives, and extend expertise to defend the UK's global interests.

Qualifications

• Experience in Deputy CISO or equivalent role, with incident response and governance.
• Public and private sector experience preferred.
• Significant technical experience in cloud and mobile technologies.
• Professional qualifications such as CISSP, CISA, CISM, or CRISC.

Responsibilities

• Develop and communicate the Information Security Vision and Strategy, bringing teams together to establish shared direction.
• Lead Information and Cyber Security to develop, maintain, and improve a comprehensive, risk-based security capability.
• Cover project and service delivery and live-service security monitoring.
• Own cyber and information security risk across the organisation, promoting governance and assurance.
• Create and own the delivery of Information Security initiatives to protect against threats.
• Extend expertise to defend the UK's global interests.

Skills

Deputy CISO role

Incident response

SOC

Security architecture

Vulnerability management

Governance & risk

Cloud & mobile

Communicating security to non-specials

Education

CISSP or CISA (or CISM/CRISC)

Job description

Chief Information Security Officer

Reference number: 481734

Salary: £75,055 - £82,400 plus a location allowance of £1,750 and excellent benefits

Contract type: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Location: Based in Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes with the flexibility of hybrid working depending on business need

Free shuttle bus is available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park

About Us

At FCDO Services we protect the UK's interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings and courier diplomatic packages worldwide, safeguard government tech and a whole lot more. Our work is as varied and vital as it gets, but we never lose sight of our people. Their skills, aspirations, and growth mean as much as the global mission we're on. In our world, it all matters.

Our Digital, Data and Technology team are at the forefront of digital innovation. They provide best-in-class solutions for our clients, helping to shape and support a data-driven future for UK government. Whether it's creating bespoke, secure software, offering programme and application support or moving an entire embassy's servers to a Cloud platform, they are on hand to support. Now, you've got the opportunity to join them.

Role Overview

Providing innovation to government partners. Delivering best-in-class solutions. Working at the cutting edge of technology. It all matters.

Drive operational security and digital transformation. As Chief Information Security Officer, you'll provide strategic leadership for information and cyber security across FCDO Services. You'll ensure that security objectives support organisational priorities, enable digital transformation and strengthen operational resilience.

Key Responsibilities

• Developing and communicating FCDO Services' Information Security and Cyber Assurance Vision and Strategy, bringing teams together to establish shared direction.
• Leading our Information and Cyber Security functions to develop, maintain, and continually improve a comprehensive, risk-based security capability that protects confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information, systems, and services.
• Covering project and service delivery and live-service security monitoring.
• Owning cyber and information security risk across the organisation, promoting governance and assurance as an enabling approach.
• Creating and owning the delivery of Information Security initiatives to ensure protection against vulnerabilities and cyber threats.
• Extending expertise to defend the UK's global interests.

Candidate Requirements

• Experience in a Deputy CISO, Head of Cyber Security, or equivalent role, including incident response, SOC, security architecture, vulnerability and compliance, governance, or risk.
• Preferably experience in both the public and private sectors.
• Significant technical experience in cloud and mobile technologies and enterprise architectures.
• Ability to translate cyber and information security issues into understandable language for non-specialists.
• Professional qualification such as CISSP, NCSC Certified Professional, Level 6 qualification, or Certified CISO qualifications like CISA, CISM, or CRISC.

Career Development

Working with us, you'll help keep people, information, and assets safe around the world. We offer a competitive salary, holiday entitlement, Civil Service Pension, training, and development opportunities. Our offices feature an on-site gym, nursery, café, and restaurant. We also provide interest-free loans on season tickets and bikes.

Additional Information

Every colleague must be security cleared before joining us. Successful applicants will undergo vetting to achieve Developed Vetting (DV) clearance.

Closing date: Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 18th October 2026.

Equality and Inclusion

We support every individual, promoting diversity and inclusion. We are a Disability Confident employer and a Carer Confident workplace, fostering an inspiring and inclusive environment.