Head of Cyber Defence Centre

Lloyds Banking Group; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension up to 15%

Annual bonus

Share schemes

Discounts

30 days holiday

Wellbeing programs

Parental leave

Job summary

Lloyds Banking Group is seeking a Head of the Cyber Defence Centre to lead an engineering-first Cyber Defence Lab that designs, builds and operates resilient security capabilities across the Group.

You will provide strategic direction for cyber defence, detection engineering, threat hunting and incident response, while improving security platforms, tooling and processes. You will lead a high-performing team to strengthen resilience and respond to threats.

Qualifications

• Deep technical understanding of cyber defence, security operations, detection engineering and incident response.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering-first Cyber Defence Lab to design, build and operate resilient, large-scale security capabilities across the Group.
• Provide strategic direction for cyber defence, detection engineering, threat hunting and incident response.
• Strengthen operational resilience and coordinate effective response to cyber threats and incidents.
• Help shape world-class security operations enabling faster, safer business delivery.

Skills

Cyber defence

Security operations

Incident response

Threat hunting

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Job description

LOCATION: Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester, or London

HOURS: Full-time (35 Hours)

WORKING PATTERN: Our work style is hybrid, which involves spending at least two days per week, or 40% of our time, at one of our office sites. Colleagues with disabilities can be supported with workplace adjustments including hybrid working expectations in line with our Flexibility Works policy.

What you'll be doing…

This is a pivotal moment to join Lloyds Banking Group and the Chief Security Office as we transform how security is delivered across the Group. As Head of the Cyber Defence Centre, you'll lead an engineering-first Cyber Defence Lab responsible for designing, building and operating resilient, large-scale security capabilities that protect the UK's largest digital bank.

You’ll provide strategic direction for cyber defence, detection engineering, threat hunting and incident response, while driving continuous improvement across security operations platforms, tooling and processes. Leading a high-performing team, you’ll strengthen operational resilience, coordinate effective response to cyber threats and incidents, champion a threat-led approach to defence, and help shape a world-class security operation that enables the Group to go faster, safely.

Why Join us?

If you think all banks are the same, you're wrong. We're a pioneering, fast-changing business that's shaping finance as a force for good. If you're after a role where you can have an impact and do the best work of your career, you've just found it

What we're looking for?

Deep technical understanding of cyber defence, security operations, detection engineering and incident response

Proven experience leading and enhancing security operations across complex enterprise environments

Strong security operations management experience, including Continuous Detection and Continuous Response capabilities

Demonstrated leadership of large-scale incident response, threat hunting and advanced detection engineering functions

Ability to shape strategic direction and lead cross-functional teams towards common outcomes

Strong understanding of cyber threats and threat-led defence strategies

Experience managing operational risk and collaborating with senior business and technology stakeholders

Proven track record of building, developing and leading high-performing teams

Ability to drive operational improvements, cultural change and organisational transformation

Strong customer focus with a commitment to delivering secure customer outcomes

Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate technical issues into clear business priorities and decisions

A collaborative, inclusive leadership style with high levels of integrity and accountability

And it would be great if you had any of the following...

Experience leading large-scale security operations within a highly regulated environment

Experience driving enterprise-wide security transformation programmes

Strong understanding of modern security operations platforms, tooling and automation capabilities

Experience shaping engineering-led security operating models

Knowledge of industry-leading security resilience, detection and response practices

Experience fostering cultures of innovation, continuous learning and operational excellence

This is a place for you…

Our ambition is to be the leading UK business for diversity, equity and inclusion, supporting our customers, colleagues and communities. We are committed to creating an environment in which everyone can thrive, learn and develop. We were one of the first major organisations to set goals on diversity in senior roles, create a menopause health package, and launch a dedicated Working with Cancer initiative.

We offer reasonable workplace adjustments for colleagues with disabilities, including flexibility in office attendance, location and working patterns. As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee interviews for a fair and proportionate number of applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role and have a disability, long-term health or neurodivergent condition, through the Disability Confident Scheme. We provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to reduce or remove barriers - just let us know what you need.

We also offer a wide-ranging benefits package, which includes…

A generous pension contribution of up to 15%

An annual bonus award, subject to Group performance

Share schemes including free shares

Benefits you can adapt to your lifestyle, such as discounted shopping

30 days' holiday, with bank holidays on top

A range of wellbeing initiatives and generous parental leave policies