Head of Cyber Operations (Defence)

Government Recruitment Service; York and North Yorkshire; Hybrid; CAD 134,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Disability Confident employer scheme

Job summary

The Cabinet Office invites applications for Head of Cyber Operations (Defence), a senior leadership role based in York with hybrid working. You will lead threat intelligence, incident response, and the cyber security operations function, setting strategic direction and coordinating delivery.

You will manage senior analysts, partner with the Deputy Director of Cyber and Information Security, and oversee responses to major incidents while aligning with government security standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead threat intelligence, threat detection and incident response coordination.
• Provide leadership and line management of senior and lead analysts.
• Collaborate with Deputy Director of Cyber and Information Security to design and drive the cyber security strategy and roadmap.
• Deputise for the Deputy Director at key governance bodies and boards.
• Oversee and support technical responses to major cyber security incidents and vulnerabilities.
• Identify opportunities for continual improvement of the security operations function and maturity.
• Brief senior stakeholders on threats, vulnerabilities, incidents, and mitigations.
• Collaborate with Cabinet Office and other security functions to embed cyber security across functions.
• Coordinate with Government Security Group and national authorities to share knowledge and best practices.

Job description

Head of Cyber Operations (Defence)

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

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.

• 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.