Information Security Architect

Howdens; Northampton; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Pension up to 12%

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Staff discount

Employee Assistance Programme

Rewards and recognition events

Job summary

Howdens is seeking an experienced Security Architect to embed security across our systems, projects, and technology landscape in Northampton. You’ll collaborate with Cyber SMEs, Enterprise Architecture, PMO and external suppliers to ensure security is built into design, procurement and handover.

You’ll lead security reviews, support secure design decisions, and align with standards while travelling to other Howdens locations as needed.

Qualifications

• Strong information security experience with a clear architecture focus.
• Experience leading solutions through full lifecycle from architecture and design to deployment and handover.
• Knowledge of ISO27001, PCI DSS and Zero Trust.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence colleagues at all levels.
• Experience working with third-party suppliers in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver security solutions aligned with business goals and risk strategy.
• Provide security architecture input across infrastructure, cloud, and application projects.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to balance business needs, constraints and security requirements.
• Lead and support design and re-architecture initiatives to ensure secure, maintainable and scalable solutions.
• Conduct security architecture reviews to identify risks and drive improvement.
• Support evaluation and procurement of security technologies in line with standards.

Skills

Security architecture

Information security

Stakeholder influence

Communication skills

Education

CISSP/CISM

Tools

Windows

Linux

Protocol analysis

Network architecture

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 Programme
• Exceptional 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.

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.