Lead Security & Operations Architect

Realtime Recruitment Limited; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 166,000; Full time

Job summary

Realtime Recruitment Limited in Milton Keynes is seeking an experienced Lead Security & Operations Architect for a 12-month day-rate contract. You will drive security-by-design and operational readiness across a complex technology environment.

The role requires hands-on leadership in cloud security, IAM, network and API security, and incident response, with collaboration across multiple suppliers and internal teams.

Qualifications

• Extensive background in security architecture and security operations leadership.
• Experience designing security controls across cloud/enterprise environments.
• Expertise in IAM, network, API security and data protection.
• Experience with SIEM/XDR/MDR integration, incident response and vulnerability management.
• Knowledge of Azure security, Entra ID, Azure Policy, monitoring.
• Experience with multi-supplier environments and regulated enterprises.

Responsibilities

• Lead security-by-design across a complex technology environment.
• Oversee operational resilience, service readiness and disaster recovery.
• Coordinate architecture reviews with multiple suppliers and teams.

Skills

Security Architect

Security Operations Architect

Cloud security

Identity and Access Management

Network security

API security

Data protection

SIEM/XDR/MDR

Incident response

Vulnerability management

Operational resilience

Observability

Disaster recovery

Azure security

Entra ID

Azure Policy

Kubernetes/AKS

ServiceNow ITSM

Security by design

Job description

Lead Security & Operations Architect – 12-Month Day-Rate Contract

Location: Milton Keynes, UK, with 2-3 days onsite per week.

Contract: Initial 12 months, day-rate contract, with possibility of extension.

Realtime is exclusively working with a leading organisation on an exciting greenfield project that will impact millions of UK households.

We are looking for an experienced Security Architect with a strong background in operational resilience, cloud security and security operations architecture to lead security-by-design and operational readiness across a complex technology environment.

Requirements:

• Significant experience as a Security Architect, Security Operations Architect or similar senior technical leadership role
• Strong experience designing security controls across complex cloud and enterprise environments
• Expertise in security architecture, identity and access management, network security, API security and data protection
• Practical experience with SIEM/XDR/MDR integration, security monitoring, incident response and vulnerability management
• Strong understanding of operational resilience, service readiness, observability and disaster recovery
• Experience with Microsoft Azure security and operations, including Entra ID, Azure Policy, networking, logging and monitoring
• Proven experience leading architecture reviews and working across multiple suppliers and technical teams
• Experience in business-critical, regulated or complex enterprise environments
• Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Sentinel and Azure Monitor
• CrowdStrike or similar EDR/XDR platforms
• ServiceNow ITSM or Security Operations
• Kubernetes/AKS, API Management and Azure landing zones
• Knowledge of security frameworks such as NIST CSF, ISO 27001, CIS Controls or MITRE ATT&CK

Candidates must hold Valid EU or UK passport.