Security Operations Leader: Cyber Defense & Response

United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory Limited; Workington; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Family-friendly policies

Competitive pension plans

Annual leave 25.5+ days

Gym discounts

Employee bonus

Learning and development

Employee assistance

Cycle to work

Life assurance

Sick pay

Mydiscounts access

Job summary

UK National Nuclear Laboratory Limited is seeking a Security Operations Manager to lead a SecOps team and mature end-to-end security operations. The role focuses on preventing, detecting, responding to, and recovering from cyber threats across regulated infrastructure.

The role requires strong incident response, threat hunting, vulnerability management, and experience with regulators and audits. Location flexibility supports Risley, Workington or Preston sites.

Qualifications

• Experience in cyber security operations within regulated or critical infrastructure environments.
• Proven leadership of security operations teams and/or managed security services (SOC/MSOC).
• Experience managing security incidents and crisis-level response; able to operate under pressure.
• Strong understanding of incident response and digital forensics.
• Strong understanding of threat intelligence and threat hunting.
• Strong understanding of vulnerability management and security controls.
• Strong understanding security testing, assurance, and audit practices.
• Experience working with regulators, auditors, and compliance frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into operational capability.
• Experience managing third-party suppliers and service providers.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Sec Ops team and provide direction, coaching and mentorship.
• Align SecOps activities to risk appetite and CISO strategy.
• Represent SecOps in governance and security meetings.
• Maintain governance, reporting and performance management frameworks.
• Oversee end-to-end security monitoring, detection and response with internal and external partners.
• Lead operational management of security incidents when required and support post-incident learning.
• Define and deliver a structured security testing and exercising programme.
• Drive maturity of security operations including processes, tooling and resources.
• Develop roadmaps aligned to objectives and emerging threats.
• Collaborate with other cyber/security sections to manage risk and ensure regulatory compliance.

Skills

Cyber security operations

Security leadership

Incident response

Digital forensics

Threat intelligence

Vulnerability management

Security testing

Regulatory compliance

Vendor/third-party management

Operational strategy

Education

Degree or higher in a related subject

Job description

UK National Nuclear Laboratory Limited is seeking a Security Operations Manager to lead a SecOps team and mature end-to-end security operations. The role focuses on preventing, detecting, responding to, and recovering from cyber threats across regulated infrastructure.

The role requires strong incident response, threat hunting, vulnerability management, and experience with regulators and audits. Location flexibility supports Risley, Workington or Preston sites.