Cyber Security Manager, Aviation Security

Heathrow Airport; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An iconic international airport in London is seeking an experienced Cybersecurity leader to drive its security strategy and manage a team. The ideal candidate will have operational experience in critical environments, a strong understanding of aviation security standards, and a passion for improving safety and resilience. This role offers competitive compensation, benefits, and opportunities for hybrid working arrangements.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Performance-based bonuses

Generous annual leave allowances

Market-leading pensions

Private health insurance

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Operational experience in Cyber Security within high-risk environments.
• Proven ability to lead teams and deliver measurable security outcomes.
• Strong understanding of AVSEC operations and compliance requirements.
• Hands-on experience in incident response.
• Knowledge of emerging cybersecurity technologies.
• Ability to promote a positive security culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a high-performing Cyber Security team.
• Design and implement phishing simulations and training modules.
• Measure and report on campaign success using data-driven insights.
• Build partnerships across internal departments and external partners.
• Represent Cyber Security in cross-functional meetings.
• Influence policy and regulation for aviation cybersecurity.

Skills

Leadership

Cybersecurity management

Stakeholder management

Incident response

Risk assessment

Security awareness training

Education

Relevant qualifications in Cyber Security, IT, or related field (CISSP, CISM, SANS desirable)

Tools

ISO 27001

NIST

GDPR

Job description

Job Description

In this role, you’ll:

• Lead a team of skilled cybersecurity professionals to deliver robust protection across the airport estate.
• Drive the development and execution of cybersecurity strategy aligned with aviation security (AVSEC) standards and regulations.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to strengthen compliance and continually enhance our security posture.
• Champion innovation and best practice across all aspects of cybersecurity leadership and governance.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence cybersecurity in a high-impact environment where safety, resilience, and trust are paramount.

If you’re an experienced Cybersecurity leader with a passion for excellence and a drive to make a difference in a world-class aviation setting, we’d love to hear from you.

Responsibilities

you’ll play a key leadership role in shaping Heathrow’s cyber resilience. You’ll manage and inspire a team of talented cybersecurity professionals, driving awareness, innovation, and strategic collaboration across the organisation and the wider aviation security community.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Leading and mentoring a high-performing Cyber Security team to deliver impactful campaigns and initiatives that strengthen our security culture.
• Designing and implementing engaging phishing simulations, training modules, and behavioural change programmes that drive awareness and reduce risk.
• Collaborating with the wider Cyber Security function to identify key threat areas and tailor awareness efforts accordingly.
• Measuring and reporting on the success of campaigns, using data-driven insights to continuously improve engagement and effectiveness.
• Building strong partnerships across internal departments, industry stakeholders, and external partners to foster a unified, security-conscious culture.
• Staying ahead of the curve on emerging threats, trends, and best practices in cyber education and awareness.
• Representing Cyber Security in cross-functional meetings and contributing to long-term strategic planning.
• Providing expert consultancy on cybersecurity across systems and processes for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Developing trusted relationships with government bodies, industry partners, and suppliers to assess and respond to emerging threats.
• Representing Heathrow at national and international forums on cybersecurity policy, regulation, and technology development.
• Influencing policy and regulation to ensure Heathrow remains a leader in aviation cybersecurity.

Qualifications

• Operational experience in Cyber Security within complex or high-risk environments (aviation experience preferred).
• Proven ability to lead and manage successful teams, delivering measurable security outcomes.
• Strong understanding of Aviation Security (AVSEC) operations, regulations, and compliance requirements (CAA, DfT, ECAC).
• Hands-on experience in incident response, including threat-to-life scenarios and CSIRT design/improvement.
• Solid grasp of threat actors, risk assessment, and the broader threat landscape.
• Experience in security testing (penetration testing, red/blue/purple teaming).
• Familiarity with cybersecurity standards (ISO 27001, NIST, GDPR) and policy development.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills - able to influence, mentor, and collaborate across teams.
• Confidence working with government agencies, regulators, and third-party partners.
• Knowledge of AI-based screening, IT/OT systems, and emerging AVSEC technologies.
• Understanding of secure software development lifecycle (SSDLC) principles.
• Ability to promote cybersecurity awareness and embed a positive security culture.
• Relevant qualifications in Cyber Security, IT, or related field (CISSP, CISM, SANS desirable).

About Us

There’s something so special about working at the world’s most iconic airport. Its sights. Its sounds. Its constant air of excitement. Heathrow is an amazing backdrop to a career filled with unique opportunities.

Every day, you’ll discover a world full of fresh possibilities and end the day buzzing with stories to tell, as you encounter people from all cultures, nationalities and experiences. A world full of pride for what we do and no end of exciting career prospects to explore.

It brings out the best in all of us. And inspires everyone to deliver on our ambitious plans. Together, we’re working to welcome millions more passengers while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability.

Join us on that journey and we’ll help you achieve your ambitions too. Supporting you to learn, encouraging you to be yourself, backing you to achieve more than you might ever have imagined. Because there’s no place like Heathrow.

Our rewards

We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits that will support you now and in the future. As well as performance-based annual bonuses and our longer-term Share in Success Bonus plans, we also offer generous annual leave allowances and market-leading pensions. With family friendly policies, access to private health insurance and a wide range of wellbeing tools, we’ll support you to be at your best inside and outside work. And of course, we’ll provide varied learning and development opportunities too. Here you’ll find everything you need for a fulfilling career journey that can take you in exciting directions.

Working Location

\

Our Hybrid working approach offers the opportunity for colleagues in some roles to work from home for an average of two days a week, providing the flexibility to work in an agile way whilst ensuring we deliver for the operational needs of Heathrow. Working arrangements vary from team to team and will be confirmed during the recruitment process. You’ll need to be based in the UK and within a commutable distance to Heathrow.

Sustainable Travel to work

Heathrow’s Sustainable Travel Guide sets out easy and sustainable travel options that everyone can access.

Equal Opportunities

As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all. We believe that diverse talent makes us stronger - not least because we welcome passengers from all corners of the globe, every single day. Heathrow is an accessible place to work. With five diversity networks, we champion inclusivity and celebrate individuality.

About the Team

Together, we’re working to welcome millions more passengers, while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability. At Heathrow, you can be part of this - providing solutions that make every journey better for millions each year. That means ensuring we meet the changing needs of the passengers, colleagues and partners who use our airport to work, travel, trade, shop, eat, explore and connect. Our Solutions team covers project management, process improvement, business change, technology, cyber defence, masterplanning, infrastructure and procurement. It brings together people with the skills to deliver prestigious and often large-scale projects, from transforming terminals to making big reductions in our carbon emissions.

Every day will test your skills and give you the opportunity to make your mark. You might be working with the technology and data that power our city within a city, driving vital commercial agreements with everyone from retailers to airlines, or improving the unique infrastructure that includes everything from 200 buildings to 250 HV substations. It’s a collaborative environment, where you can rely on the support of the experts around you as you take on projects you’ll both take pride in and feel passionate about.