Data Security Assurance Lead

Financial Conduct Authority

City of Edinburgh

On-site

GBP 57,000 - 85,000

Full time

13 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Pension 8–12%

Private healthcare

Volunteer days 35 hours

Hybrid work model

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Financial Conduct Authority in Edinburgh/UK is seeking a Data Security Assurance Lead to head the Data Security Assurance Framework, overseeing risk-based data security across the FCA data estate, including AI platforms and cloud services. The role requires leading cross-functional teams to embed secure data handling practices and governance across the lifecycle.

The role sits in the Cyber and Information Resilience division within Operations, with a hybrid working model across Edinburgh, Leeds

Qualifications

Proven experience leading a data security, cyber security, information security or assurance capability within a complex organisation, including building, developing and maturing teams, operating models and security capabilities
Designing, implementing and assuring data security controls and frameworks across SaaS, cloud and enterprise environments, aligned to recognised frameworks such as NIST CSF and ISO 27001
Strong understanding of data security principles and risks, including data discovery, data lineage, encryption, logging, access control, identity management, data loss prevention and protection against data exposure and exfiltration

Responsibilities

Lead the FCA's Data Security Assurance Framework, ensuring confidentiality, integrity and appropriate use of corporate data
Establish and deliver risk-based data security assurance across the FCA's data estate
Drive strategic evolution of data security posture management across AI capabilities, ensuring security by design
Produce KPIs, KRIs and management information to support senior management decision-making and risk oversight
Lead and develop the Data Security Assurance capability across technology, cyber security, risk and data governance teams

Skills

Data security leadership

SaaS/cloud security

Data governance & risk

Security controls & frameworks

Tools

Microsoft Purview

Microsoft 365 security

Job description

Data Security Assurance Lead

Division: Operations

Department: Cyber and Information Resilience

Salary: National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £57,000 to £77,000 and London from £63,000 to £85,000. (Salary offered will be based on skills and experience)
This role is graded as: Lead Associate, Regulatory

About The FCA And Team

We regulate financial services firms in the UK, to keep financial markets fair, thriving and effective. By joining us, you’ll play a key part in protecting consumers, driving economic growth and shaping the future of UK finance services.

Cyber and Information Resilience (C&IR) is responsible for the management of cyber security at the FCA. 'Cyber security' means the protection of the FCA's data and systems from malicious activity, including theft, damage and disruption, in order that the FCA can deliver its key business functions.

C&IR is now part of a new formed Directorate lead by our CISO, Director of Cyber & Operational Resilience Division.

The role is based in the Cyber Assurance team, who leads on the FCA & PSR cyber assurance activities working to determine that correct cyber assurance and control measures are in place.

The team conducts thorough reviews, analysis and testing to confirm the appropriate security and data controls (whether through technology, process, or behaviour) and the secure operation of the FCA systems and data are in place.

Role Responsibilities

Lead the FCA's Data Security Assurance Framework, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, authenticity, availability and appropriate use of corporate data, aligned to the FCA's Cyber Risk Management Framework, regulatory, legislative and internal control requirements
Establish and deliver risk-based data security assurance across the FCA's data estate, including M365 security and compliance, cloud platforms, data lakes, AI systems and data repositories, ensuring the identification, assessment and treatment of security and data risks in line with the FCA's Cyber Risk Management Framework and associated tooling
Drive the strategic evolution of the FCAs data security posture management for AI, assessing and assuring technical controls, data exposure and appropriate use across emerging AI capabilities such as MS Co-pilot, Agentic AI and AI-enabled platforms, ensuring security by design, effective data security governance and continuous assurance as the FCAs AI estate evolves
Produce meaningful KPIs, KRIs, risk assessments and management information to support senior management decision-making, alignment with the FCA's Cyber Risk Management Framework and effective second-line Risk and Compliance oversight, while leading issue identification, remediation tracking and validation of corrective actions
Lead and develop the FCA's Data Security Assurance capability, working across technology, cyber security, risk, compliance and data governance teams to embed effective controls throughout the data lifecycle, integrate assurance into the wider cyber risk management ecosystem and support consistent risk reporting, governance and oversight.

Minimum

Skills required

Proven experience leading a data security, cyber security, information security or assurance capability within a complex organisation, including building, developing and maturing teams, operating models and security capabilities
Demonstrable experience designing, implementing and assuring data security controls and frameworks across SaaS, cloud and enterprise environments, aligned to recognised frameworks such as NIST CSF and ISO 27001
Strong understanding of data security principles and risks, including data discovery, data lineage, encryption, logging, access control, identity management, data loss prevention and protection against data exposure and exfiltration

Essential

Experience delivering security assurance and risk assessments across applications, cloud platforms, data repositories, AI systems and broader technology environments, supported by continuous monitoring, control health reviews and risk reporting
Experience establishing governance, assurance and control oversight processes, including attestations, control validation, remediation tracking and risk-based prioritisation
Strong expertise in Microsoft Purview and Microsoft 365 security and compliance capabilities, including data discovery, classification, sensitivity labelling, DLP, Insider Risk Management, DSPM for AI and related E5 functionality
Knowledge of regulatory, legal and compliance requirements relevant to data security and experience translating these into practical controls, assurance activities and risk management outcomes
Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across technology, cyber security, data governance and business teams and to communicate complex security risks and control issues to senior leadership and executive stakeholders
Experience integrating security tooling, telemetry, APIs and automation to improve assurance, risk visibility and control effectiveness across Microsoft, AWS and interconnected technology platforms
Strong strategic and analytical capabilities, with experience developing data security roadmaps, identifying emerging risks and driving improvements that strengthen organisational security posture

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
Non-contributory pension (8–12% depending on age) and life assurance at eight times your salary
Private healthcare with Bupa, income protection and 24/7 Employee Assistance
35 hours of paid volunteering annually
Hybrid model where colleagues spend a minimum of 50% of their working time in the office each month (60% for Directors and Executive Directors) across our London, Leeds and Edinburgh offices
A flexible benefits scheme designed around your lifestyle

Our values and culture

Our colleagues are the key to our success as a regulator. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture: one that’s free from discrimination and bias, celebrates difference and supports colleagues to deliver at their best. We believe that our differences and similarities enable us to be a better organisation – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation and delivers better regulation.

If you require any adjustments due to a disability or condition, your recruiter is here to help - reach out for tailored support.

We welcome diverse working styles and aim to find flexible solutions that suit both the role and individual needs, including options like part‑time and job sharing where applicable.

Disability confident: our hiring approach

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and therefore, people or individuals with disabilities and long‑term conditions who best meet the minimum criteria for a role will go through to the next stage of the recruitment process. In cases of high application volumes we may progress applicants whose experience most closely matches the role’s key requirements.

Useful information and timelines

Timeline