Head of Cyber Operations (Defence)

Government Recruitment Service; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Disability Confident employer scheme

Job summary

The Cabinet Office's cyber security team invites applications for a Head of Cyber Operations (Defence) based in Glasgow. The role is hybrid (2 days remote) and requires SC clearance, with a salary of £71,734 to £93,755 per year.

You will lead threat intel, detection and incident response, and partner with the CISO to drive the department’s cyber strategy. As Head, you will manage senior analysts, oversee major incident responses, and ensure an end-to-end security approach across Cabinet Office

Qualifications

• Lead Cabinet Office cyber security operations with strategic direction.
• Lead and line-manage senior analysts.
• Design and drive implementation of cyber security strategy and roadmap.
• Deputise for Deputy Director as needed.
• Oversee technical response to major incidents and vulnerabilities.
• Identify improvements for security operations maturity.
• Brief senior stakeholders on threats, incidents, mitigations.
• Collaborate with other cyber and information security functions.
• Ensure end-to-end cyber security across Cabinet Office functions.
• Coordinate with Government Security Group and law enforcement.
• Own the team\'s budget and allocate resources.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Cabinet Office\'s cyber security operations function, providing strategic direction and coordinating day-to-day threat intel, threat detection and incident response.
• Manage senior analysts and lead teams to deliver security outcomes.
• Work with the Deputy Director of Cyber to design and drive the department\'s cyber security strategy and roadmap.
• Deputise for the Deputy Director of Cyber and Information Security as required.
• Oversee and support the technical response to major cyber security incidents and vulnerabilities.
• Identify opportunities for continual improvement of the security operations function.
• Brief senior stakeholders on cyber threats, vulnerabilities, incidents and mitigations.
• Collaborate with other cyber and information security functions to improve capabilities.
• Ensure an end-to-end approach to cyber security across Cabinet Office functions.
• Collaborate with Government Security Group, NCSC and law enforcement.

Skills

Cyber leadership

Threat intel

Incident response

Stakeholder briefing

Budget management

Strategic planning

Team leadership

Job description

The Cabinet Office supports the Prime Minister and ensures the effective running of government. It is also the corporate headquarters for government, in partnership with HM Treasury, and takes the lead in certain critical policy areas.

We are the Cabinet Office’s cyber security team, and our mission is to secure their department against cyberthreats. We protect our nationwide internal IT infrastructure, and high-profile citizen-facing digital services such as GOV.UK

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Head of Cyber Operations (Defence)

Company: Government Recruitment Service Salary: £71,734 to £93,755 a year Hours: Full-time Location: Glasgow Working pattern: Hybrid - 2 days remote Job type: Permanent Posting date: 2 Nov 2026 Closing date: 26 Nov 2026

Summary

The Cabinet Office supports the Prime Minister and ensures the effective running of government. It is also the corporate headquarters for government, in partnership with HM Treasury, and takes the lead in certain critical policy areas.

We are the Cabinet Office’s cyber security team, and our mission is to secure their department against cyberthreats. We protect our nationwide internal IT infrastructure, and high-profile citizen-facing digital services such as GOV.UK

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

Essential requirements

• Lead the Cabinet Office’s cyber security operations function, by providing strategic direction and coordinating day-to-day delivery of threat intelligence, threat detection and incident response.
• Be responsible for leadership and line management of senior and lead analysts.
• Work closely with the Deputy Director of Cyber and information Security (CISO) to design, and drive implementation and delivery of, the department’s cyber security strategy and roadmap
• Deputise for the Deputy Director of Cyber and Information Security (CISO) as required, including attending the Digital Senior Leadership Team, Technical Design •Authority, and programme boards
• Oversee and support the technical response to major cyber security incidents and critical vulnerabilities impacting the Cabinet Office
• Identify and deliver opportunities for continual improvement of the security operations function and identify areas for maturity building in line with best practice in government sector
• Brief senior stakeholders on cyber security threats, vulnerabilities, incidents, and mitigations
• Work closely alongside other cyber and information security functions, supporting the continual improvement of wider capabilities
• Work with stakeholders from across the Cabinet Office to ensure an end-to-end approach to cyber security, and ensure that cyber security is embedded in other central and local functions
• Work with Government Security Group, the National Technical Authorities (e.g., •NCSC) and law enforcement to ensure knowledge sharing and collaboration
• Contribute to the overall development of the Cabinet Office Digital and the •Government Security profession•Budget & Resource Management: You will take full ownership of the team's budget, ensuring resources are strategically allocated to drive high-impact outcomes.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.

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