Information Security Architect

Howdens Joinery Co.; Northampton; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Excellent pension scheme (up to 12%)*

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Staff discount

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Howdens Joinery is seeking an experienced Security Architect to shape secure, scalable solutions with real business impact. You will embed security across infrastructure, cloud, and applications, influencing design decisions and adopting resilient, compliant digital solutions.

You’ll collaborate with technical teams, PMO, Enterprise Architecture, Cyber teams, and suppliers to ensure security is built into design, procurement, implementation and handover, with onsite work at Northampton.

Qualifications

• Strong information security experience with an architecture focus.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and translate security requirements into practical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver security solutions that support business goals and risk strategy.
• Provide security architecture input across infra, cloud, and applications projects.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to balance business needs, tech constraints, and security requirements.
• Lead solution design and re-architecture initiatives to ensure secure, maintainable, scalable outcomes.
• Carry out security architecture reviews to identify risks and drive improvements.
• Support evaluation and procurement of security technologies aligned with standards.
• Work with Cyber SMEs and Enterprise Architecture to ensure a joined-up security approach.
• Promote information security best practices and policy compliance.

Skills

Security Architecture

Information Security

Windows

Linux

Threat Modelling

Vendor Management

Stakeholder Influence

Education

CISSP Certification

CISM Certification

ISO27001 Knowledge

PCI DSS Knowledge

Job description

Are you an experienced Security Architect who enjoys shaping secure, scalable solutions that make a real business impact?

At Howdens, we're looking for a Security Architect to play a key role in embedding security across our systems, projects, and technology landscape. This is an exciting opportunity to influence secure design decisions across infrastructure, cloud, and application projects, while helping us deliver resilient, compliant, and future-focused digital solutions.

You’ll work closely with technical teams, the PMO, Enterprise Architecture, Cyber teams, and external suppliers to ensure security is built into everything we do, from solution design and procurement through to implementation and operational handover.

What you'll be doing

• Designing and delivering security solutions that support Howdens' business goals and cyber risk strategy.
• Providing security architecture input across infrastructure, cloud, and application projects.
• Working with stakeholders to balance business needs, technical constraints, and security requirements.
• Leading and supporting solution design and re-architecture initiatives to ensure solutions are secure, maintainable, and scalable.
• Carrying out security architecture reviews of new and existing systems to identify risks and drive continuous improvement.
• Supporting the evaluation and procurement of security technologies, ensuring they align with Howdens' standards and architecture principles.
• Working closely with Cyber SMEs and Enterprise Architecture to support a consistent, joined-up approach to security across IT.
• Helping to promote Information Security best practice and support compliance with security policy.

What we need from you

We’re looking for someone with strong Information Security experience and a clear architecture focus. You’ll need to be confident working across technical teams, influencing stakeholders, and turning security requirements into practical, effective solutions.

You’ll also bring:

• Strong knowledge of lateral movement risks, network segmentation, and endpoint security.
• Experience working with Windows and Linux operating systems.
• A good understanding of protocol analysis, network architecture, and infrastructure design.
• Experience leading solutions through the full lifecycle, from architecture and design through to engineering, deployment, operational handover, and support.
• A recognised Cyber Security qualification such as CISSP, CISM, or equivalent.
• Knowledge of frameworks such as ISO27001, PCI DSS, and Zero Trust.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence colleagues at all levels.
• The ability to work with third-party suppliers and support change across a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in presentation or training techniques within IT Security would be beneficial.

Based from our office in Northampton working onsite at least 2 days per week. Please note, this role may require travel to other Howdens locations.

What we can offer you:

• Competitive salary and annual company bonus
• Excellent pension scheme, with company contribution of up to 12%
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, with the option to buy additional days
• Staff discount
• Employee Assistance ProgrammeExceptional Reward and Recognition events

About Howdens:

Howdens Joinery is the UK's number one trade kitchen supplier, providing thousands of products across kitchens, joinery, and hardware. We have over 900 depots throughout the UK and Europe, making us the first choice for more than 460,000 loyal trade professionals. Last year our sales reached circa £2.3bn, and we have an ambitious growth agenda.

As well as the opportunity to develop within a fast-paced and commercial environment, you will be part of a rewarding organisation recognised for excellence in the workplace in the Best Big Companies to Work For.

About Howdens:

Howdens Joinery is a highly successful FTSE 100 business, with more than 900 depots nationwide and more than 11,000 staff. Last year our sales reached circa 2.3bn, and we continue to experience significant growth and success. Despite our scale, Howdens remains a local business with traditional values.

There is a strong entrepreneurial ethos and the opportunity to develop within a fast-paced and commercial environment. That, along with a competitive salary, development opportunities, and exciting rewards, are among the reasons why our people enjoy working for Howdens - and why we have been named one of the 10 Best Big Companies to Work For.

Howdens is founded on the principle of being Worthwhile for ALL concerned. We're working hard to ensure we provide an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome. We will do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, please email [e-mail] with the job title and location, and we will be happy to help you.

Please note that candidates applying for this role must have a valid right to work in the UK, we do not offer sponsorship of employment for any depot positions at this time. We appreciate your understanding.