Senior Security Architect

DWP Digital; Lancashire; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Pension with 28.97% employer contrib.

Government Digital and Data allowance

26–31 days annual leave

Job summary

DWP Digital with Purpose is seeking a Senior Security Architect to provide expert leadership across our Corporate Centre Services function. You will apply secure-by-design principles, enterprise architecture expertise and cloud security knowledge to influence strategic decisions and safeguard critical services.

You will mentor colleagues, shape governance and security roadmaps, and communicate complex concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.

Qualifications

• Experience operating as a Security Architect within large complex organisations.
• Expertise in cyber security risk management and threat mitigation.
• Knowledge of identity and access management technologies and security protocols.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement to influence decisions.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice on secure solution design and risk assessment.
• Lead secure architectures from discovery to live service.
• Produce architecture artefacts and documentation for governance.
• Mentor colleagues and share best practices.

Skills

Security architecture

Cyber risk management

IAM knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Education

CISSP qualification

Master's degree in Information Security

Job description

Pay up to £58,961 - £86,567plus 28.97% employer pension contributions, hybrid working, flexible hours, andgreat worklife balance.

DWP. Digital with Purpose.

Do you want to tackle security challenges at massive scale, shaping the systems and services used by millions of people?

We're looking for a Senior Security Architect to provide expert leadership across our Corporate Centre Services function.

You'll apply secure-by-design principles, enterprise architecture expertise and cloud security knowledge to influence strategic decisions, guide multidisciplinary teams and help safeguard critical services against evolving threats.

You'll have experience working in large digital environments, shaping standards, governance approaches and security roadmaps, while communicating complex concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.

You'll also play a key role in building organisational capability through mentoring, knowledge sharing and championing best practice.

DWP offers a unique opportunity to work at a scale and complexity rarely found elsewhere.

We welcome applications from candidates from industry, consultancy, academia or military backgrounds.

A CISSP qualification, master's degree in information security, or willingness to work towards one, would be beneficial and supported as part of your professional development.

What skills, knowledge and experience willyouneed?

• Experience operating as a Security Architect within large complex organisations, developing secure solutions that align with enterprise architecture strategies and long-term business objectives.
• Strong expertise in cyber security risk management and threat mitigation with experience identifying vulnerabilities, assessing risks and implementing effective security controls to protect critical services and data.
• Knowledge of identity and access management technologies and security protocols, with experience applying security principles across modern digital and cloud-based environments.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence decision-making, provide expert security guidance and develop capability across multidisciplinary teams and architecture communities.

You and your role

As a Security Architect, you will provide expert advice on secure solution design, risk assessment, IT Health Check scoping and vulnerability management, helping teams identify and address risks across digital services.

Working closely with architects, engineers, security specialists and Design Authority, you'll build strong relationships and act as a trusted advisor on secure design and delivery.

You will lead the development of resilient architectures, ensuring security is considered from discovery through to live service, while balancing user needs, business priorities and technical requirements.

Collaborating with Solution Architects and agile delivery teams, you'll develop secure, cost-effective solutions aligned with enterprise standards, strategic roadmaps and the Digital Blueprint.

You'll produce clear architecture artefacts, patterns and documentation to support governance, assurance activities and secure engineering throughout the product lifecycle.

You'll also contribute to strategy, standards and reusable patterns, while mentoring colleagues and strengthening capability across the wider architecture and security communities.

Location:

You'lljoin us in one ofour brilliant digital hubsinBlackpool, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester,Newcastleor Sheffieldwhichever is most convenient for you.

Hybrid Working:

We work a hybrid model-you'llspend some time working at home andsome timecollaborating face to face ina hub.

Pay:

You salary for this roleis £58,961, plus you'll get a Government Digital and Data allowance of up to £27,606 subject to our assessment of capability at interview.

Pension:

You'llgeta brilliant civil service pension with employer contributions worth28.97%,worth up to £17,081 per year.

Holidays:

Agenerous leave package starting at26 days rising to 31 days over time.

You can also take up to 3 extra days off a month onflexi-time.You'llalso get all the usual public holidays.

We have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Time off volunteering and charitable giving
• Bring your authentic self to work with 'I Can Be Me in DWP'
• Discounts and savings on shopping, fun days out and more
• Interest-free loans to buy a bike or a season ticket, so it's even easier for you to get to work and start making a difference
• Professional development, coaching, mentoring and career progression opportunities.

And we have an award-winning environment and culture:

• DWP have been recognised as 2024 Diversity Employer of the Year at the Computing Women in Tech Excellence awards
• Diverse and Inclusive Leadership at Digital Leaders Awards 2024
• Commended as Best Place to Work in Digital category in the Computing Digital Technology Leaders awards 2025
• Recognised as one of the Best Public Sector Employers at 2025 Women In Tech Employer Awards

Process:

We know your time is valuable, so our application and selection process is just 3 stages:

• Interview: A short first stage interview, followed by a longer stage 2 interview for those successful.