Lead Security Architect — Hybrid (Leeds)

W Talent; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

W Talent is seeking a Lead Security Architect in Leeds with proven security architecture leadership. The role is a permanent, hybrid position with approx. 50% on-site attendance and flexible hours.

The candidate will drive security strategy, oversee governance, and partner with delivery teams to embed secure-by-design principles. Strong communication and senior stakeholders engagement are essential.

Qualifications

• Breadth and depth in IT/security architecture with secure design delivery.
• Experience leading multi-team programs and engaging senior stakeholders.
• Knowledge of security frameworks (NIST, MITRE ATT&CK, ISO 27001) and applying them pragmatically.

Responsibilities

• Champion a modern security posture with threat-informed focus on reducing attack surface.
• Define security architecture strategy, guardrails, standards and roadmaps for projects and platforms.
• Embed secure-by-design delivery with solution architects, SMEs and delivery teams.
• Act as senior architectural voice for high-impact initiatives and risk-aligned options.
• Drive architecture governance with design reviews, signoffs and lifecycle documentation.
• Collaborate across Technology to translate strategy into target designs balancing resilience and productivity.
• Coordinate with Assurance to land controls at right stages and surface risk.
• Communicate complex security choices clearly to senior stakeholders in papers and roadmaps.
• Possess breadth and depth in IT/security architecture and lead multi-team programs.
• Lead and influence senior leaders and engineers/SMEs with strong documentation.

Skills

Security architecture

Stakeholder leadership

Threat modeling

Documentation

Job description

W Talent is seeking a Lead Security Architect in Leeds with proven security architecture leadership. The role is a permanent, hybrid position with approx. 50% on-site attendance and flexible hours.

The candidate will drive security strategy, oversee governance, and partner with delivery teams to embed secure-by-design principles. Strong communication and senior stakeholders engagement are essential.