Lead Security Architect

DWP Digital; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 89,852 - 109,819; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil service pension with employer contributions

Generous leave starting at 26 days

Opportunities for professional development

Discounts on shopping and leisure activities

Flexi-time for extra time off

Job summary

A leading government department in the UK is seeking a Lead Security Architect to shape and govern the security architecture of crucial digital services. You will design scalable solutions, produce technical documentation, and guide high-level stakeholders. This role also emphasizes innovation in technology and compliance to security standards. Offering competitive pay up to £99,836, a generous leave package, and numerous benefits designed for work-life balance.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in designing secure, scalable solutions.
• Ability to produce high-quality technical documentation.
• Strong understanding of long-term security strategies.

Responsibilities

• Shape and govern the security architecture for digital transformation.
• Work across complex services to define architectural principles.
• Lead security initiatives to ensure compliance with organisational goals.

Skills

Security Architecture design and modelling techniques

Presenting architecture design to technical governance forums

Supporting technology initiatives

Technical authoring skills

Being the security lead in governance forums

Education

CISSP or Master's in Cyber Security

SC Clearance

Job description

Join DWP as a Lead Security Architect and shape the secure design of large‑scale digital services, lead innovation in security tech, and drive strategic security initiatives that protect millions across the UK.

We're using fresh ideas and leading-edge tech to build and maintain digital solutions that will be used by nearly every person in the UK, every day and at key moments in their lives.

DWP is the UK's largest government department. We help people into work and make payments worth over £195bn a year to support and empower millions of people.

The scale of what we do is extraordinary, and our purpose is unique. We'd love you to join us.

What skills, knowledge and experience will you need?

• Security Architecture design and modelling techniques, patterns, tools and standards.
• Presenting architecture design to technical governance forums.
• Shaping and supporting technology initiatives, projects, programmes and portfolios.
• Technical authoring skills, particularly for the production of technical design and specification documents.
• Being the security lead in technical governance forums.

Mandatory Criteria/Qualifications

• CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) or a Master's in Cyber Security.
• SC Clearance.

You and your role

As a Lead Security Architect at DWP, you will shape and govern the security architecture behind some of the largest digital transformation programmes in Europe. You'll work across high‑complexity services, setting long‑term security strategy, defining architectural principles, and guiding senior stakeholders to make secure, informed decisions that protect our systems and millions of users.

You'll take the lead in designing secure, scalable solutions across a wide range of digital services. This includes providing expert guidance, producing high‑quality technical documentation, and contributing to key governance forums to ensure all solutions remain aligned with secure‑by‑design standards and organisational goals.

The role also places you at the forefront of innovation-researching emerging technologies, solving complex security challenges, and sharing best practice across the profession. Your expertise will play a crucial part in ensuring DWP delivers modern, resilient and user‑focused digital services for people across the UK.

Hybrid Working: We work a hybrid model - you'll spend some time working at home (40%) and some time collaborating face to face in a hub (60%).

Pay: We offer competitive pay for this role of up to £99,836.

Pension: You'll get a brilliant civil service pension with employer contributions of 28.97%, worth over £21,735 per year.

Holidays: A generous leave package starting at 26 days rising to 31 days over time.

You can also take up to 3 extra days off a month on flexi-time. You'll also get all the usual public holidays.

We have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Time off volunteering and charitable giving
• Bring your authentic self to work with 'I Can Be Me in DWP'
• Discounts and savings on shopping, fun days out and more
• Interest-free loans to buy a bike or a season ticket.
• Professional development, coaching, mentoring and career progression opportunities.

And we have an award-winning environment and culture:

• DWP have been recognised as 2024 Diversity Employer of the Year at the Computing Women in Tech Excellence awards
• Diverse and Inclusive Leadership at Digital Leaders Awards 2024
• Commended as Best Place to Work in Digital category in the Computing Digital Technology Leaders awards 2025
• Recognised as one of the Best Public Sector Employers at 2025 Women In Tech Employer Awards

Process:

We know your time is valuable, so our application and selection process is just three stages:

• Apply: Complete your application on Civil Service Jobs.
• Interview 1: Delivery of a 10-minute presentation.
• Interview 2: Assessment of Behaviours and Technical Skills

CLICK APPLY for more information and to start your application