Principal Security Risk Assurance Manager

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP); Birmingham; On-site; GBP 76,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department in the UK is seeking a Principal Security Risk Assurance Manager. The role involves safeguarding services by directing supplier security, analyzing risks, and ensuring compliance. Successful candidates will have comprehensive knowledge of security assurance methodologies and demonstrate leadership in stakeholder engagement. The position offers a salary of £75,026 and a generous benefits package including a pension contribution.

Benefits

Flexible working

Generous annual leave

Health and wellbeing programmes

Qualifications

• Direct the development of Supply Chain Security Assurance business strategies.
• Demonstrate leadership by engaging stakeholders effectively.
• Comprehensive knowledge of commercial practice in public sector.
• Experience with third-party supplier security assurance methodologies.
• Familiarity with security controls and Risk Management principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead engagement with stakeholders to deliver security risk capabilities.
• Define priorities for risk analysis aligned to strategic goals.
• Identify opportunities for enhancing supplier assurance.
• Develop team members to ensure high-quality outputs.
• Deliver timely security assurance reviews of suppliers.

Skills

Leadership

Risk Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Security Assurance

Communication

Analytical Skills

Job description

As the Principal Security Risk Assurance Manager, you will play a critical role in safeguarding DWP’s services by directing the security posture of suppliers. You will lead the identification and analysis of Supply Chain risks, translating complex data and threat intelligence into clear, actionable insights for decision‑makers. Working closely with commercial, delivery, and security teams, you will strengthen resilience, ensure compliance, and protect sensitive assets across a diverse supplier landscape. Your work will directly support strategic assurance efforts and help shape a proactive, risk‑aware culture across DWP and its partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead by example, visibly and confidently engaging colleagues and stakeholders to support and deliver effective security risk and assurance capabilities.
• Clearly define priorities, ensuring all risk analysis and assurance activities align with departmental and HMG strategic risk and reflect priorities in measurable team objectives and strategic plans.
• Identify opportunities for enhanced assurance of DWP’s supplier and known Supply Chain risks.
• Iterate the service to continually meet end‑user needs, stakeholder requirements and align to wider departmental risk and control assessment practices.
• Inspire and develop team members, ensuring they have the skills and support needed to deliver high‑quality outputs.
• Direct the delivery of timely security assurance reviews of suppliers to DWP to inform contract award, risk mitigation and in‑contract Security Risk Management requirements.
• Ensure industry trends, new technologies and up‑to‑date threat modelling are factored into assurance activities to maintain best‑in‑class service to DWP.
• Represent the Supply Chain Security Assurance function at Cross‑Government and Industry bodies and act as a spokesperson for Supply Chain Assurance benefits.
• Lead and deliver a data‑driven analysis to improve both contract and enterprise‑level decision‑making, providing holistic and robust opinion on the security posture of people, processes and technology.
• Direct the delivery of activities ranging from targeted contract or supplier‑focused risk assessments to inform the management of specific risks, through to enterprise‑level assessments of DWP exposure to security risk from its vast and complex Supply Chain.
• Deliver quarterly strategic updates to Director General‑level customers on Supply Chain security and timely responses to any urgent and ad‑hoc requests, balancing the need for accuracy with the necessity of quick decision‑making.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in Commercial, Legal, Digital and other enabling functions to collectively identify and address Supply Chain security risks.
• Clearly communicate analytical results and complex concepts to non‑expert audiences, including senior stakeholders, to secure buy‑in and support for recommendations.
• Champion Supply Chain Security and Risk Management services across DWP, particularly within Commercial Directorate.
• Lead the development of a cross‑government Supply Chain Security and resilience community of practice and collaborate with other Government Departments.

Essential Criteria / Qualifications

• Direct the development of Supply Chain Security Assurance business strategies for DWP.
• Demonstrate leadership through action, visibly and confidently engaging internal colleagues and stakeholders to support and deliver effective security risk and assurance capabilities.
• Thriving in a challenging environment, working to tight deadlines while prioritising a large and varied workload.
• Collaborate with external stakeholders to ensure assurance, risk and Supply Chain Security activities are joined up and meet stakeholder needs and deliver positive outcomes.
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience of commercial practice, preferably in a public sector context.
• Demonstrate knowledge and experience of third‑party supplier security assurance methodologies and associate standards and certifications.
• Excellent understanding of security controls and how they link to security outcomes.
• Comprehensive understanding of the principles of Risk Management and a proven record of accomplishment of working on Risk Management.Extensive technical understanding of Security Risk Management processes and controls.
• Effective decision‑making, demonstrate the ability to translate evidence, available data and experience into clear, accurate and professional decisions.
• Provide strategic direction for DWP and its Arms Length Bodies, in relation to Supply Chain Security Assurance.
• Actively engage and manage stakeholder relationships at Director and Executive Team level.
• Communicate and influence stakeholders, including the Director General, Executive Team and Board, to elevate key priorities and drive cross‑government outcomes.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to engage and negotiate easily and confidently with stakeholders at all levels.

Nationality Requirements

• UK nationals
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Disability Confident Scheme

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. We run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. Reasonable adjustments will be considered and supported where needed. 

Remuneration and Benefits

Alongside a salary of £75,026, DWP contributes £21,735 towards the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. DWP offers a broad benefits package to support work‑life balance, including flexible working, generous annual leave, support for financial wellbeing, health and wellbeing programmes, family‑friendly policies and funded learning and development opportunities.