Lead Security Architect

Inspire People; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative opportunity to lead security architecture in a vital government department. This role focuses on delivering secure digital solutions while balancing business needs with cyber risk. You will work closely with stakeholders and mentor other security professionals, ensuring alignment with national security standards. The position offers a flexible hybrid working environment and a comprehensive benefits package, including a generous pension contribution. If you're passionate about shaping secure solutions that support economic growth, this is the role for you.

Benefits

Civil Service pension with 28.97% contribution

Learning and development opportunities

Flexible working environment

Annual leave starting at 25 days

Three paid volunteering days

Employee benefits programme

Family friendly policies

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in secure design of complex solutions.
• Proficiency in applying security concepts and risk assessment.

Responsibilities

• Influence senior stakeholders and develop security strategies.
• Support technical design of systems and services.

Skills

Security Architecture

Risk Management

Information Security Management

Communication Skills

Network Security

Education

Relevant Technical Degree

Tools

ISO 27001

NIST

Job description

Join a team at the heart of the global economy! The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and Inspire People are partnering to bring an exciting opportunity for a Lead Security Architect to deliver secure designs and drive secure innovation at scale, blending architecture, cyber security policy and risk strategy to unlock the safe use of emerging technologies. Salary range £59,634 to £79,133 (including allowances) plus excellent Civil Service benefits and over 28% pension contribution. Flexible, hybrid working from London, Cardiff, Darlington, Belfast, Birmingham, Salford and Edinburgh.

About the role

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has a clear mission - to grow the economy. Their role is to help businesses invest, grow and export to create jobs and opportunities right across the country.

Lead Security Architects play a key role in designing and delivering secure digital solutions across DBT, ensuring alignment with the department's security standards and risk appetite. You will work closely with Principal Security Architects and stakeholders to embed security throughout project lifecycles, supporting the safe use of emerging technologies and balancing business needs with cyber risk.

This role combines hands-on architecture, risk management and policy oversight, while also guiding and mentoring other security professionals. You'll collaborate across diverse teams, communicate complex risks clearly, and contribute to shaping DBT's secure architecture in line with National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) guidance and best practice as the team grows.

Responsibilities

• Interact with senior stakeholders across DBT and influence a range of people across larger teams and communities
• Research and apply innovative security architecture solutions to new and existing problems
• Develop vision, principles and strategy for security architects
• Understand the impact of decisions, balancing requirements and deciding between approaches
• Support the technical design of systems and services

Essential skills and experience:

• Hands-on experience in supporting and evaluating the secure high-level and low-level design of major products, services, and complex solutions
• Experience guiding effective decisions on risks, based on information assurance risk assessment methodology
• Proficiency in applying security concepts to a technical level, including working with security tools, network security infrastructure technologies and information security management frameworks (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST)
• Understanding of NCSC information security guidance and architecture patterns plus familiarity with SABSA / TOGAF
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to apply security concepts to a technical level

Desirable skills:

• Knowledge of Secure by Design principles
• Experience with penetration testing

Benefits

• Civil Service pension with employer contribution of 28.97%
• Learning and development tailored to your role with expensed accreditations and study time aside
• Flexible, hybrid working environment with options like condensed hours
• Culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• Annual leave starting at 25 days rising with each year of service
• Three paid volunteering days a year
• Employee benefits programme including cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans
• Bonus and Discount Schemes: In year rewards and vouchers as well as My lifestyle discounts
• Family friendly policies including maternity, adoption or shared parental leave
• Job satisfaction: making a positive contribution to the UK's economy

Salary:

Salary is dependent on location and technical skills as assessed at interview.

London based range: £63,248 to £79,133

National range: £59,634 to £75,618.

Additional information:

• Hybrid working includes 40% in-office working (typically 2 days/week)
• This role requires SC clearance, a condition of which is to have been present in the UK for 3 out of the past 5 years.
• DBT does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

If you're an experienced Security Architect ready to take the lead in protecting high-impact digital services and shaping secure solutions that support the UK's economic growth, then this is the challenge for you. Apply today or get in touch with Keesha Paulsen at Inspire People in complete confidence for further information.