Technology and Cyber Services (TCS) - Security Operations Manager

United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory Limited; Risley; Remote; GBP 69,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory Limited (UKNNL) is seeking a Security Operations Manager within the Technology and Cyber Services (TCS) team. You will lead end-to-end security operations to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from cyber threats, aligning activities with the CISO strategy and risk appetite.

The role offers a flexible location around Risley, Workington or Preston and requires proven leadership, incident response, threat intelligence, and collaboration with internal

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.
• Degree or higher in a related subject.
• Evidence of related relevant operations certifications and training.
• Ability to obtain SC level security clearance (this includes but is not limited to identity, employment, financial and criminal record checks plus 5 years’ worth of UK residency).

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop UKNNL’s end-to-end security operations capability.
• Own and continuously improve security monitoring, detection, and response.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external providers to drive performance.
• Lead operational management of security incidents, including larger incidents.
• Define and deliver a structured security testing and exercising programme.
• Develop roadmaps aligned to strategic objectives and emerging threats.
• Support other cyber security sections as needed.

Skills

Cyber security operations

Security incident response

Digital forensics

Threat intelligence

Vulnerability management

Security governance

Regulatory/compliance

Third-party management

Leadership experience

Strategic operations

Education

Degree in related subject

Relevant certifications

Job description

UKNNL has a vision for Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (ED&I) which aims to be an inclusive workplace that attracts diverse talent through transparent and equal policies and procedures. We want you and the diverse mix of people that we employ, customers that we service and stakeholders that we influence to feel valued. We encourage a workplace culture where everyone can thrive with a sense of belonging.

Technology and Cyber Services (TCS) - Security Operations Manager

Category: CISO

Salary: Salary starting at £69,047

Closing Date: 2026-11-09

Location: Risley, Cheshire

The salary range for this position is £69,047 to £74,886 (Grade 3B Lower).

If you have any queries regarding the position itself please contact Adam Brooks.

Please be aware that all new appointments will be made in-line with the PLC ‘New’ terms & conditions. Therefore, if you are not already on PLC ‘New’ terms & conditions and you are selected and accept this role, there will be changes made to your contractual terms. The terms and conditions of the role will be made clear in the offer letter.

If you have any queries about the impact of applying for this role on your terms & conditions, pay, pension or benefits, please contact the HR Support Team .

Job Description for Technology and Cyber Services - Security Operations Manager:

There’s never been a more exciting time to be part of the nuclear sector. New opportunities are being created all the time. At UKNNL, you’ll be in the ideal place to capitalise on this momentum, face new challenges and develop a long, successful and meaningful career.

We’re an organisation that’s here to experiment and push the limits of what’s possible. So, if you’re keen to excel in your chosen field, this is the place to do it. Because at UKNNL, anything is possible.

The Security Operations Manager, working within UKNNL’s Technology and Cyber Services (TCS) team, is accountable for leading, developing, and continuously improving UKNNL’s end-to-end security operations capability, ensuring the organisation can effectively prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from cyber and information security threats.

The location for this role is flexible and can be based at Risley, Workington or Preston.

Main Responsibilities for Technology and Cyber Services - Security Operations Manager:

• Manage a small SecOps team, providing support, direction, leadership, coaching and mentoring to maximise performance and ensure team wellbeing.
• Help ensure SecOps activities are prioritised and aligned to organisational risk appetite and CISO strategy.
• Act as a leader within the Sec Ops area – possibly deputising if required for the wider section Head; also providing SME advice as required to the TCS senior team. This will include representing SecOps at related UKNNL governance and security meetings.
• Maintain and develop governance, reporting, and performance management frameworks to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
• Own and continuously improve UKNNL’s end-to-end security monitoring, detection, and response capability, ensuring effective coordination between internal teams and external providers. This includes strong emphasis on understanding Security Operations best practice and emerging best practice, and being able to help drive performance and value from security partners and suppliers (intelligent customer) - the role will require the ability to represent UKNNL at performance review meetings with key SecOps partners.
• If required, lead the operational management of security incidents, including larger incidents, helping ensure timely containment, recovery, and communication. Support post-incident learning to strengthen resilience and reduce future risk.
• Define and help deliver a structured security testing and exercising programme to validate the effectiveness of security controls across people, process, and technology.
• Lead the ongoing maturity and evolution of security operations capabilities, including processes, tooling, and resources; this will include understanding baseline activity to help further develop detection rules and process.
• Develop and implement roadmaps aligned to strategic objectives and emerging threats – being actively aware of threat landscape, vulnerabilities, risks, and mitigations.
• As required, operate flexibly, to provide input and support to other cyber and information security sections of TCS, helping manage risk, remain compliant and support business delivery.
  

Essential Criteria for Technology and Cyber Services - Security Operations Manager:

• 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.
• Degree or higher in a related subject.
• Evidence of related relevant operations certifications and training.
• Ability to obtain SC level security clearance (this includes but is not limited to identity, employment, financial and criminal record checks plus 5 years’ worth of UK residency).

Desirable Criteria for Technology and Cyber Services - Security Operations Manager:

• Membership of a cyber security or related professional body.