Senior Information Assurance & Risk Specialist

DataCareers; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 66,000; Full time

Job summary

A strategic consultancy in secure technology seeks a Senior Information Assurance & Risk Specialist to lead security assessments and guide secure design in a hybrid role. The position requires a strong technical background and the ability to mentor colleagues. Responsibilities include assessing security controls and producing assurance evidence to align with national standards. The ideal candidate will have professional security qualifications and a full UK driving license. The role offers a competitive salary and benefits including 30 days annual leave.

Benefits

30 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Career development pathways

Local Government Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Strong technical security background focusing on cloud and modern tech risks.
• Applied IA experience based on NIST and security controls.
• Evaluated experience in regulated environments like policing or HMG.

Responsibilities

• Assess security controls and guide secure design decisions.
• Lead SyAP assessments and produce high-quality assurance evidence.
• Mentor colleagues by translating complex concepts into plain language.

Skills

Strong technical security background

Applied IA experience

Ability to coach others

Collaborative approach

Education

Relevant professional qualifications (e.g. CISSP, CISMP)

Job description

Oxford or Hampshire | Hybrid

Circa £65,365 per annum + benefits

Permanent | Full time (flexible)

We're looking for a highly skilled Senior Information Assurance & Risk Specialist to help shape secure, modern digital services in a complex highly secure environment. This is a senior technical role where you'll lead through expertise, coaching and collaboration-not line management.

You’ll apply your strong technical background to assess security controls, guide secure‑by‑design decisions and support the organisation in managing risk across both established and emerging technologies. From cloud and Microsoft platforms to AI, LLMs and facial recognition , you'll bring clarity, rigour and practical insight to ensure decisions are safe, proportionate and evidence‑based.

You’ll lead SyAP assessments , produce high‑quality assurance evidence and help align policies and standards with national expectations. You'll also uplift colleagues through mentoring, translating complex concepts into plain language and supporting a maturing IA function.

What you’ll bring

• Strong technical security background (cloud, MS stack, architecture, modern tech risks)
• Applied IA experience : NIST, security controls, risk assessment
• Ability to coach others and communicate clearly with non‑technical stakeholders
• Experience in a regulated environment (policing, HMG, MoD or similar)
• Collaborative, proactive approach with high integrity
• Act as a visible advocate for high standards of information assurance.

Relevant professional qualifications (e.g. CISSP, CISMP, Information Security certifications) are also preferred. A full UK driving licence is essential due to travel and operational flexibility requirements.

The Package

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• Career development pathways and continuous professional learning
• A wide range of wellbeing support services and staff networks
• Lifestyle and discount schemes
• Local Government Pension Scheme

Vetting and eligibility

All roles require government level vetting. This includes checks on identity, criminal records, financial history and relevant associations. You will need five years of continuous UK residency to enable the necessary background checks to be completed.

If you're motivated by purposeful work and want to influence how emerging technologies are secured, we'd love to hear from you.