NCSC Cyber Security Expert

Gchq; Manchester; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A national security agency in the UK is seeking candidates for Lead and Senior roles in cyber security, offering a starting salary of £44,044 for the Lead role and £53,496 for the Senior role. Candidates should have at least five years of practical experience in cyber security and be prepared to work on meaningful projects that enhance cyber resilience. The position includes flexible working options and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

25 days' annual leave

Flexible working environment

Cycle to work scheme

On-site facilities such as a gym

Excellent pension scheme

Qualifications

• At least five years of practical experience in cyber security.
• Expertise in technical disciplines related to cyber security.

Responsibilities

• Work independently and collaboratively on projects.
• Mentor others and engage with senior leaders.
• Navigate complex challenges in cyber security.

Skills

Cyber security experience

Innovation and change initiatives

Communication and influencing skills

Collaborative work

Outcome delivery

Job description

Both roles may attract a skills payment, for which you will be evaluated during the interview. The criteria for the skills assessment will be provided when you are invited to interview. If you are assessed to qualify for a skills payment, these payments start at £6,552 per annum.

Whether you're stepping into a Lead or Senior position, you'll be at the centre of meaningful, technical work that drives real-world impact. As a Lead, you'll work both independently and collaboratively, reporting to a senior colleague while offering expert advice on specific projects. The Senior role builds on this foundation, adding responsibility for mentoring others, engaging with senior leaders and specialists, and providing strategic insight-especially when navigating complex challenges.

Both roles are technically focused and involve working across areas such as system design, software development, security analysis, and testing. You'll collaborate with partners to deliver effective, real-world solutions that strengthen cyber resilience. Depending on your expertise, you may focus on one or more areas within cyber and system security.

GCHQ is proud to have achieved Leader status within the Department for Work and Pensions' Disability Confident scheme. This is aimed at encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain, and develop disabled people.

Key Responsibilities and Qualifications

We're looking for someone with at least five years of practical experience in cyber security-whether that's in industry, academia, or a government department. If you've built deep expertise in one or more of the technical disciplines that underpin cyber security, we'd love to hear from you too.

• Demonstrate you have five years of practical experience working in cyber security- specifically in a role within industry, academia or an external Government department
• Driving Innovation and Change (Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Changing and Improving)
• Communicating and Influencing (Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Communicating and Influencing)
• Working Collaboratively (Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Working Together)
• Delivering Outcomes (Civil Service Behaviour Equivalent: Delivering at Pace)

As part of the selection process, the NCSC will assess you using competencies aligned with those used across the UK Intelligence Community. These are closely based on the Civil Service Behaviours, so if you're familiar with those, you're already on the right track.

What We Offer

For the lead role, you'll receive a starting salary of £44,044. For the senior role, you'll receive a starting salary of £53,496. For roles based in London, you'll receive an additional London Allowance of £6,250.

• 25 days' annual leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, plus an additional 10.5 days of public and privilege holidays
• A flexible working environment with various options
• Opportunities for recognition through our employee performance scheme
• Interest-free season ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme
• On-site facilities such as a gym, restaurant, and on-site coffee bars (available at some locations)
• Paid parental and adoption leave
• Excellent pension scheme - Civil Service pension

We are committed to helping you fulfil your potential. With comprehensive training and development opportunities tailored to your needs and the requirements of your work, we will enable you to flourish in your role and perform to the very best of your abilities.