Head of Security Architecture

London Stock Exchange Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading governmental organization in the UK is seeking a Strategy Director to lead national security and international security strategy. This role involves developing and implementing a cohesive national security strategy, coordinating policies across departments, and managing high-level relationships with senior stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have significant leadership experience, excellent communication skills, and a proven track record in strategic insight on national security. A commitment to diversity and inclusion is essential in this transformational role.

Qualifications

• Experience of high-priority, complex strategy work in a fast-paced environment.
• Broad national security experience including geopolitics.
• Personal credibility as a thought leader and trusted advisor.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of a national security strategy.
• Ensure effective delivery and reporting systems.
• Develop or coordinate policy across different departments.

Skills

Strategic insight on national security

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Leadership in complex systems

Ability to influence and manage stakeholder relationships

Job description

Overview

The National Security Secretariat is recruiting for a Strategy Director to lead thinking on national security and international security strategy within the Cabinet Office and Whitehall coordination of strategy projects. The role would provide support to the National Security Advisor, Deputy National Security Advisors, and the Prime Minister on the UK's national security and international security strategy. This is a unique opportunity to shape the UK's national security strategy in an era of increasingly complex and growing international challenges. The role requires significant leadership capability and excellent communication skills to deliver responsibilities in a fascinating, energising and challenging policy context.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of a single national security strategy and an ongoing programme of work.
• Ensure effective delivery and reporting systems, managing the flow of critical decisions through the National Security Council (NSC).
• Develop or coordinate policy across a number of different departments and ensure joined‑up service to the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
• Lead and support a talented team, fostering high‑quality insight and advice on strategy, inspiring and coalescing others around a clear vision.
• Run a programme to assure delivery and implementation of the Government's strategic priorities and the National Security Foundation.
• Oversee the governance of national security and foreign policy decision‑making through the NSC and its sub‑committees.
• Act as a member of the NSS senior leadership team, owning and driving forward work that contributes to an engaged, inclusive and kind working culture.

Qualifications

• Strategic insight on national security: experience of high‑priority, complex strategy work in a high‑impact and fast‑paced environment.
• Broad national security experience including geopolitics and working with international partners.
• Consistently excellent judgement with acute political awareness in complex settings.
• Personal credibility as a thought leader and trusted advisor with a track record of providing advice and challenge to senior stakeholders.
• Influencing, managing and delivering through senior stakeholder relationships and partnerships, both internally and externally.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, able to deliver impactfully at the highest levels.
• Leadership in a complex system: ability to lead long‑term change across organisations, set a clear vision and build broad networks of strong relationships.
• Experience of leading, directing and motivating teams to deliver results in a high‑pressure environment.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion, valuing a truly diverse team that reflects society.

Benefits and Commitment

We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under‑represented in our workforce. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the very centre of the Cabinet Office and the national security community, where you will deliver transformational change in the way the Government thinks and operates in a contested and volatile global environment.