Cyber Incident Response Lead

GCS Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 111,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Outside IR35 contract

Immediate start

Initial 6-month contract

Potential extension

Job summary

A major UK organisation is seeking an experienced Cyber Incident Response Lead to join its critical security function and take ownership of major incidents from day one.

This hands-on role demands leadership in P1 incidents, rapid containment and clear communication to senior stakeholders, with an initial 6-month contract and immediate start.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading major or P1 cyber security incidents.
• Proven ability to coordinate technical and business stakeholders during live incidents.
• Hands-on technical capability to investigate and understand complex details.

Responsibilities

• Lead response to major and critical cyber security incidents.
• Coordinate technical and business stakeholders during live incidents.
• Drive containment, eradication and recovery activities.
• Provide leadership and decisive direction during cyber crises.
• Deliver timely communications to senior stakeholders.
• Conduct incident reviews and identify improvements.
• Collaborate with security operations and IT teams to strengthen resilience.

Skills

P1 incident leadership

Stakeholder management

Incident response

Crisis management

Security operations

Job description

Cyber Incident Response Lead

Contract | Outside IR35 | 6-Month Initial Contract | Immediate Start

A major UK organisation is seeking an experienced Cyber Incident Response Lead to join a critical cyber security function and take ownership of major cyber incidents from day one.

This is an urgent requirement for a hands-on incident response specialist with a proven track record leading Priority 1 (P1) cyber incidents, driving effective response activities, coordinating technical teams, and providing clear leadership during high‑pressure situations.

Working within a fast‑paced environment, you will play a key role in protecting business operations, managing cyber crises, and ensuring incidents are contained, remediated and communicated effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead the response to major and critical cyber security incidents
• Coordinate technical and business stakeholders during live incident situations
• Drive containment, eradication and recovery activities
• Provide clear direction, leadership and decision-making during cyber crises
• Deliver timely and effective communications to senior stakeholders and leadership teams
• Conduct incident reviews and identify opportunities for process and control improvements
• Work closely with security operations, infrastructure, technology and business teams to enhance organisational resilience

Requirements

• Demonstrable experience leading major or P1 cyber security incidents
• Strong background in incident response, cyber crisis management and security operations
• Hands‑on technical capability with the ability to investigate and understand technical detail when required
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Ability to operate independently with minimal supervision
• Calm, decisive and outcome‑focused approach under pressure
• Proven experience managing multiple priorities within a fast‑moving environment

Whats on Offer?

• Outside IR35 contract
• Immediate start with onboarding required within the next two weeks
• Pre-booked interview slots available next week
• Opportunity to make an immediate impact within a critical cyber security function
• Initial 6‑month contract
• Further 6‑month extension highly likely