Cyber Security Specialist (Operational)

NICE - National Institute for Health and Care Excellence; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension

Flexible working

Blue Light Card discounts

27 days annual leave

Inclusive staff networks

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is seeking an Operational Cyber Security Specialist to safeguard NICE’s digital platforms, systems and data. You will investigate alerts, manage vulnerabilities, respond to incidents and help improve our cyber security posture in collaboration with the Infrastructure, Cyber & IT Operations team.

You will configure security tooling across on-premise and cloud environments, communicate risks to stakeholders, and support compliance with

Qualifications

• Hands-on cyber security experience in an operational role.
• Ability to investigate security alerts and incidents.
• Experience performing vulnerability assessments and threat analysis.
• Ability to explain complex technical risks to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Act as a hands-on cyber security specialist, investigating security alerts, responding to incidents and supporting day to day operational cyber resilience
• Configure, manage and maintain security tooling and infrastructure across on premise and cloud environments, embedding secure by design principles
• Carry out routine vulnerability assessments, threat analysis and horizon scanning to identify and mitigate emerging risks
• Serve as a technical escalation point for complex security issues, contributing expert analysis and practical solutions
• Support compliance with recognised security standards and frameworks (e.g. Cyber Essentials, ISO27001), maintaining clear and auditable records
• Communicate complex technical risks and findings clearly to both technical and non technical stakeholders

Skills

Cyber security

Incident response

Vulnerability assessment

Security architecture

Communication

Tools

Security tooling

Cloud security

Job description

Do you want to do meaningful work that makes a genuine difference to society? Our main purpose here at The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is to improve health and wellbeing by putting science and evidence at the heart of health and care decision-making.

As an organisation we all collaborate to achieve this goal by empowering our workforce to do great things!

Please note that this role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. Please refer to the DirectGov website for more information on eligibility.

We reserve the right to close the advert early should we receive sufficient applications, so please don’t delay your submission.

Please be aware interviews will be face to face in our Manchester Office.

As a Cyber Security Specialist (Operational), you will play a key hands on role in protecting NICE’s digital platforms, systems, and data from cyber threats. Working as part of a collaborative cyber security function, you will investigate security alerts, manage vulnerabilities, respond to incidents and help ensure our services remain secure, resilient and compliant. The role combines technical expertise with clear communication, supporting both operational delivery and the continual improvement of NICE’s cyber security posture.

What the candidate will be expected to do / bring:

• Act as a hands on cyber security specialist, investigating security alerts, responding to incidents and supporting day to day operational cyber resilience
• Configure, manage and maintain security tooling and infrastructure across on premise and cloud environments, embedding secure by design principles
• Carry out routine vulnerability assessments, threat analysis and horizon scanning to identify and mitigate emerging risks
• Serve as a technical escalation point for complex security issues, contributing expert analysis and practical solutions
• Support compliance with recognised security standards and frameworks (e.g. Cyber Essentials, ISO27001), maintaining clear and auditable records
• Communicate complex technical risks and findings clearly to both technical and non technical stakeholders

The Infrastructure, Cyber & IT Operations team plays a critical role in ensuring NICE’s digital services are secure, resilient, and reliable. The team is responsible for safeguarding systems and information, supporting users across the organisation, and maintaining operational stability with minimal risk or disruption.

As part of this team, you will help protect nationally important digital services while enabling NICE to deliver trusted guidance and information to health and care users across England.

We are passionate and proud of the work we do and the impact we make.

NICE offer:

• Generous NHS Pension – Secure your future with one of the most rewarding pension schemes in the UK
• Flexible working – Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with options like remote working, compressed hours and flexible start/finish times
• Exclusive discounts – Save on shopping, dining and more with a Blue Light Card Time to recharge – Start with 27 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
• Inclusive staff networks – Join supportive communities like Women in NICE, Race Equality Network, Disability Advocacy and NICE and Proud – we celebrate diversity
• Tailored development – Grow your career with personalised learning and development opportunities

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Muhammad Khan Job title: Head of Cyber Security Email address: [e-mail]