Information Security Lead

Pembroke College; England; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An Oxford College is seeking an Information Security Lead to manage IT security projects and ensure compliance with security standards. This role involves strategic planning, oversight of security initiatives, and effective communication with staff and stakeholders. The ideal candidate will possess security management expertise alongside project management skills and relevant certifications. Benefits include a pension scheme, travel pass, and free meals in College kitchens.

Benefits

Membership of University staff pension scheme

Travel pass and Cyclescheme loan scheme

Free meals provided at lunchtime

Qualifications

• Strong background in security management is essential.
• Working technical knowledge of IT infrastructure.
• Experience with security controls such as firewalls and encryption.

Responsibilities

• Lead IT software projects and security initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with information security standards.
• Manage significant security projects and budgets.

Skills

Security management

Project management

Excellent communication

Leadership skills

Education

CISSP, CISM or CRISC certification

Knowledge of ISO 27001/2

Tools

Unix/Linux Servers

Windows servers

Firewalls

Job description

SOCIT is an Information Services team that provides IT services to a Consortium of Oxford Colleges.

The SOCIT Information Security Lead (ISL) will be working with and reporting to the SOCIT Head of IT and will be responsible for leading IT software projects while also serving as the strategic lead for security initiatives across the Consortium and member Colleges.

The ISL will help the group establish and maintain compliance with information security standards and create a prioritised programme of improvements and ensure implementation both technically and practically.

This role requires strong security expertise alongside project management skills.

Responsibilities

Strategy/Planning/Leadership

• Contributing to strategic planning and budget management; Work with the Head of SOCIT and College governance structures to create and maintain security policies; Monitor and report on compliance with security policies, as well as the enforcement of policies; Represent the group on technical groups and projects within Colleges and the University as agreed with the Head of SOCIT.

Security Management

• Advise on security strategy and planning, ensuring standardised solutions across SOCIT and member Colleges; Manage and coordinate operational components of security incident management, including detection response and reporting; Ensure audit trails, system logs and other monitoring data sources are reviewed periodically and are following policies and audit requirements; Evaluate requests for exceptions to policies, ensuring sufficient mitigating controls are in place; Act as project manager for security initiatives, provide expert guidance on security matters for other IT projects; Create standards in system hardening, change management, documentation. Perform periodic firewall audits; Ensure disaster recovery and data restoration processes work; Provide user-friendly security solutions requiring minimal training; Mentor and support staff delivering security solutions; Offer 2nd and 3rd line support on security matters.

Project Coordination and Management

• Serve as a technical Lead for IT and Security projects, ensuring timely resolution of issues; Manage significant Security projects, collaborating with project sponsors to stay within budget and schedule; Facilitate discussions between sponsors and suppliers to meet project requirements; Update project protocols and ensure administrative closeout procedures are completed.

Experience

Essential

• Strong background in security management; Formal certification (CISSP, CISM or CRISC) and/or formal training in information security standards and best practice (e.g.: ISO 27001/2, COBIT); Working technical knowledge in broad domains of IT infrastructure such as data networks, server and desktop hardware and operating systems, storage and backups, and related monitoring and management systems; Demonstrable experience of applying security controls in one or more of the following areas: Unix/Linux Servers, Windows servers, firewalls, IDS/IPS, vulnerability management, WAF, Wi‑Fi, mobile security, Data Loss Prevention, digital certificates, encryption and authentication techniques, forensics, and LAN / WANs; Solid understanding of security protocols, cryptography, authentication, authorisation, and security; Experience in strategic planning and budget management; Excellent communication and leadership skills; Experience in PCI‑DSS compliance.

Desirable

• Knowledge of ITIL and change management processes; Familiarity with university or collegiate environments; Experience in providing IT services in an educational settings; Project management experience.

Benefits

Benefits include membership of the University staff pension scheme, a travel pass and Cyclescheme loan scheme, and free meals are provided at lunchtime when the College kitchens are open. The College also offers an Employee Assistance Programme to assist the health and wellbeing of its employees