Proactive Cyber Defense Leader

Atomic Weapons Establishment; Aldermaston; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9-day working fortnight

Generous pension scheme (9–13%)

Annual leave: 270 hours

Job summary

Atomic Weapons Establishment is seeking an Active Cyber Defence Lead to drive the strategic leadership, development and operational effectiveness of the organisation's cyber defence capabilities. You will report to the Head of Digital Operations and lead proactive threat detection, hunting and disruption across the enterprise.

You will define the Active Cyber Defence strategy, build a high-performing team, and ensure capabilities align with risk appetite, regulatory obligations and recognised

Qualifications

• Membership in a recognised professional organisation (e.g. BCS, ISACA, IAPP).
• Strong understanding of threat actor TTPs and frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK.
• Able to communicate at all levels with very good written and oral skills.
• Highly organised with ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Active Cyber Defence Strategy and Governance: define, implement and govern the enterprise Active Cyber Defence strategy.
• Threat and Risk Identification: continuously identify and prioritise cyber threats, vulnerabilities and insider risks.
• Detection and Monitoring Effectiveness: ensure coverage and improvement of detection across SOC, SIEM, EDR, NDR.
• Incident Response and Disruption: timely response, containment and disruption of cyber threats.
• Integrated Cyber Defence Operations: unify SOC, IR, Insider Threat and Digital Forensics into an intelligence-led model.
• Protective Control Effectiveness: ensure controls reduce attack surfaces and insider risk.
• Recovery and Resilience Improvement: drive measurable improvements in cyber resilience and detection capability.
• Performance, Metrics and Assurance: define and report cyber defence KPIs to senior leadership.
• Leadership and People: build and lead a threat-led cyber defence team.

Skills

Leadership

Communication skills

Threat intelligence

MITRE ATT&CK

SIEM

EDR

Tools

SIEM

EDR

NDR

Job description

Atomic Weapons Establishment is seeking an Active Cyber Defence Lead to drive the strategic leadership, development and operational effectiveness of the organisation's cyber defence capabilities. You will report to the Head of Digital Operations and lead proactive threat detection, hunting and disruption across the enterprise.

You will define the Active Cyber Defence strategy, build a high-performing team, and ensure capabilities align with risk appetite, regulatory obligations and recognised