Lead Security Solution Architect

SSE plc; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 68,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car or car allowance

Performance bonus

Benefits package

Job summary

SSE plc is seeking a Lead Security Solution Architect to shape security architecture across the organisation. You will lead a team of Security Solution Architects and Security Officers, guiding design, governance, and Secure by Design integration across programmes and services.

You will partner with senior business and technology leaders to set direction, enable risk-based decisions, and drive architectural quality, standards, and regulatory compliance within a large energy infrastructure

Qualifications

• Experience building and leading architecture teams.
• Pragmatic, inclusive leadership balancing security, risk, cost, complexity and delivery.
• Accountability for security architecture outcomes, governance decisions and organisational change.
• Strong understanding of security architecture, risk management and regulatory frameworks (NIST, ISO/IEC 62443, NCSC CAF, Cyber Essentials).
• Excellent stakeholder engagement with technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, governance, and strategic direction for security architecture activities across the organisation, ensuring alignment with business objectives, technology strategy, and risk appetite.
• Lead, develop, and support a team of Security Solution Architects and Security Officers, creating a high-performing environment focused on accountability, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
• Be accountable for the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of security architecture deliverables and decision-making within your team.
• Define, assure, and oversee security requirements and controls across multiple products, projects, and platforms, aligned with Secure by Design principles, enterprise standards, and regulatory obligations.
• Act as a recognised authority for security architecture, providing direction on complex or high-risk initiatives and ensuring alignment with target architecture and governance requirements.

Skills

Security Architecture

Leadership

Team Development

Governance & Compliance

Stakeholder Engagement

Job description

Base Location: You'll be expected to spend 50% of your working week in one of the following locations: Reading or Havant

Salary: £68,100- £102,000 + car /car allowance + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available

The role

The Lead Security Solution Architect is a senior leadership role responsible for setting the direction, quality, and effectiveness of security architecture across the organisation. You will lead a team of Security Solution Architects and Security Officers, ensuring that security is embedded throughout the architecture and delivery lifecycle while influencing enterprise security architecture strategy, standards, and governance.

You will be accountable for the quality and consistency of security architecture outputs, the development of your team, and the successful integration of Secure by Design principles across programmes, products, and operational services. Working closely with senior business and technology leaders, you will provide strategic direction, enable informed risk-based decisions, and help shape the organisation's future security architecture capabilities.

You will

• Provide leadership, governance, and strategic direction for security architecture activities across the organisation, ensuring alignment with business objectives, technology strategy, and risk appetite.
• Lead, develop, and support a team of Security Solution Architects and Security Officers, creating a high-performing environment focused on accountability, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
• Be accountable for the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of security architecture deliverables and decision-making within your team.
• Define, assure, and oversee security requirements and controls across multiple products, projects, and platforms, aligned with Secure by Design principles, enterprise standards, and regulatory obligations.
• Act as a recognised authority for security architecture, providing direction on complex or high-risk initiatives and ensuring alignment with target architecture and governance requirements.

You have

• Experience building, leading, and developing architecture teams, including performance management, design authority, workload prioritisation, coaching, and establishing architectural quality standards.
• A pragmatic and inclusive leadership approach, balancing security, risk, cost, complexity, and delivery considerations.
• Demonstrated accountability for delivering security architecture outcomes, governance decisions, and organisational change initiatives.
• Strong understanding of security architecture, risk management, and relevant regulatory and industry frameworks (for example NIST, ISO/IEC 62443, NCSC CAF, and Cyber Essentials).
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence decision-making, build consensus, and communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leaders.

About SSE

SSE’s purpose is to provide energy needed today while building a better world of energy for tomorrow. We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition. Our Transforming for Growth investment plan sees us investing £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure across the five years to 2030.

Our IT division powers growth across all SSE business areas by making sure we have the systems, software and security needed to take the lead in a low carbon world. They provide expertise, advice and day-to-day support in emerging technologies, data and analytics, cyber security and more.

Flexible Benefits To Fit Your Life

Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships. Wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service. Interest-free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme. As well as generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.

Work with an equal opportunity employer

SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. Please contact [e-mail] to discuss how we can support you.

We're dedicated to fostering an open and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.