Head of Cyber Security Engagement and Cyber Risk Communications

Government Recruitment Service; Croydon; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency is seeking a Head of Cyber Security Engagement and Cyber Risk Communications to develop strategic messaging around cyber risk. This role involves leading communication strategies, briefing senior leaders, and managing risk mitigation initiatives. The ideal candidate should have experience in cyber risk management and excellent communication skills. This position operates on a hybrid working model, primarily based in Croydon but requires some travel to London.

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering strategic communication strategies regarding cyber risk.
• Proven ability to translate complex technical concepts into accessible language.
• Strong background in cyber risk management and governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead communication strategies to reduce cyber risk across the organisation.
• Brief senior officials on cyber risk exposure and mitigation strategies.
• Conduct strategic risk management activities to improve DDaT risk posture.

Job description

Home Office Cyber Security (HOCS) plays a vital role in safeguarding the UK’s national interests by protecting sensitive information, critical systems, and public services from cyber threats. Operating within the Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) directorate, HOCS is structured into specialised teams that collectively oversee governance, risk management, assurance, operations, and strategic leadership.

The Head of Cyber Security Engagement and Cyber Risk Communications plays a pivotal role in shaping and delivering strategic cyber risk messaging at the highest levels of government to safeguard critical digital infrastructure. This role leads the development and implementation of communication strategies to reduce cyber risk across the organisation, provides proactive, evidence-based advice to stakeholders including senior leadership, and oversees the strategic reporting of HOCS activities. The post holder will lead a team focused on raising awareness of cyber risk across the Home Office and its external partners, often translating complex technical concepts into accessible language.

Communication at this level includes reporting cyber risk activities and strategies to ministers and Permanent Secretary-level executives through reports and presentations to groups such as the Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee and the Departmental Executive Committee.

As the Head of Cyber Security Engagement and Cyber Risk Communications, your main day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Briefing the Home Secretary, ministers, senior officials, and others on cyber risk exposure and mitigation—particularly ahead of overseas travel to high-risk countries—alongside National Technical Authorities, providing the Home Office perspective on controls and advice.

• Collaborating with the Public Safety Group Major Events Team to broker access to cyber risk mitigation measures, including risk advice for delegates and access to Security Operating Centre frameworks.

• Acting as the interface between HOCS and Ministerial Governance/Cyber Policy teams, ensuring alignment with wider His Majesty’s Government cyber security governance structures.

• Leading the delivery of the annual Culture and Awareness Campaign to reduce human risk exposure across the Home Office (e.g. counter-phishing, cyber inductions).

• Conducting strategic risk management activities for HOCS to reduce DDaT risk posture, meet audit and compliance requirements, and drive continuous improvement.

• Sharing best practice across government, the public sector, and industry, and providing guidance to maintain confidence in organisational security standards.

Due to the requirements of the role, the successful candidates will be required to work full-time (37 hours per week).

Hybrid Working

DDaT is geographically spread across multiple locations with most staff working in line with the Department’s hybrid working arrangements (a minimum of 60% of time in an office location, with the remainder working from home).

The successful candidate must be based at either 2 Ruskin Square, Croydon or 2 Marsham Street, London. If the successful candidate is based in Croydon, frequent travel to 2 Marsham Street will be required.