VodafoneThree - AI Security & Vulnerability Automation Lead

Vodafone; Newbury; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses

28 days annual leave

Pension plan

Job summary

Vodafone is seeking an AI Security & Vulnerability Automation Lead to join its Cybersecurity team in the UK. You will own Vulnerability Management activities and drive automation using AI, analytics and modern tooling to reduce risk.

You’ll work across engineering, data, risk and business teams to design AI-enabled solutions, ensure secure adoption of AI and large language models, and embed controls. The role offers hybrid working and the chance to impact national security and digital resilience.

Qualifications

• Degree-level knowledge in CS, SE, AI or related field.
• Strong knowledge of AI/ML, LLMs and AI risks.
• Practical software development or automation experience.
• Understanding vulnerability-management lifecycle.
• Understanding AI security threats.
• Experience with enterprise tech environments.
• Commercial awareness of cybersecurity and AI markets.
• Strong analytical and stakeholder-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver Vulnerability Management activities.
• Design and deliver AI automation opportunities.
• Develop AI-enabled capabilities for enrichment and prioritisation.
• Integrate vulnerability platforms with data sources.
• Create proofs of concept and transition to secure services.
• Provide specialist advice on AI risks.
• Support security assessments for AI solutions.
• Establish controls for AI-enabled processes.
• Maintain an innovation backlog with measurable outcomes.
• Promote learning and knowledge sharing across Cybersecurity.

Skills

AI & ML

LLMs

Prompt engineering

Automation

Software development

Vulnerability mgmt

Cloud & networks

Communication

Education

Degree in CS / Software Eng

Job description

Who We Are

We're here to build a network the UK can count on - one that connects people, places and potential. Because no matter where you live, what your background is, or how you get online - we think everyone deserves the same chance to stay connected, and with VodafoneThree, that future's being built - today.

We're creating more than the UK's best network. We're helping close the digital divide, empower communities and drive meaningful progress.

We believe that through collaboration and connection with our colleagues we can achieve great things. Our hybrid working approach allows our people to work both in the office and at home, providing the flexibility and resources you need to succeed in your role. We don't require you to be in on specific days; instead, we ask people to come into the office 2-3 days each week, for at least 8 days per month. You should work with your line manager to understand what their expectations are for you, your specific role and your team.

Why VodafoneThree

Join us and you'll be at the heart of change. That means building responsibly, investing sustainably and creating opportunities that last.

We're not just expanding connectivity; we're reimagining what a connected nation looks like. With £11bn invested in 5G and digital infrastructure, your work will directly power businesses, services, and communities across the country.

You'll work on real challenges, with real impact, across every corner of the country. Wherever you join us, whatever your role, you'll be helping to build a future that works better for everyone.

We move at pace, because what we're building matters - and we're learning as we go. We're proud of the progress we've made, but we're just getting started.

Join our IT teams, which is at the core of our digital future, analysing and operating all our internal and customer-facing systems, with the aim of delivering the best customer experience. None of it would be possible without our innovative teams, creating a connected future with technologies like Cloud, AI and big data.

What you'll do

The Cybersecurity function is responsible for identifying, assessing and reducing security risk across the organisation. Within this function, Vulnerability Management provides oversight of technology vulnerabilities, supports risk-based remediation and enables stakeholders to understand and manage their exposure.

The AI Security & Vulnerability Automation Lead will combine operational Vulnerability Management responsibilities with a mandate to improve the service through artificial intelligence, automation, analytics and technical innovation.

The role will retain ownership of selected business-as-usual activities, ensuring that innovation remains grounded in genuine operational needs. It will identify opportunities to simplify processes, improve data quality, enhance vulnerability prioritisation and accelerate remediation through the responsible application of AI and automation.

The role will also provide specialist support for the secure adoption of AI and large language model technologies, working with cybersecurity, technology, data, risk and business teams to identify emerging threats and implement proportionate controls.

Main responsibilities

• Own and deliver selected Vulnerability Management activities, including vulnerability analysis, triage, risk-based prioritisation, reporting, exception review and support for remediation campaigns.
• Identify, design and deliver opportunities to automate repetitive or data-intensive Vulnerability Management processes.
• Develop AI-enabled capabilities for vulnerability enrichment, classification, prioritisation, remediation guidance, reporting and workflow orchestration.
• Integrate vulnerability-management platforms with asset, configuration, threat-intelligence, ticketing and business-context data sources.
• Develop proofs of concept and work with relevant engineering, architecture and operational teams to transition successful solutions into secure, reliable and supportable services.
• Provide specialist advice on risks associated with AI, LLMs, retrieval-augmented generation, autonomous agents and other emerging AI technologies.
• Support security assessments and threat-modelling activities for internally developed or externally procured AI solutions.
• Establish appropriate controls for AI-enabled security processes, including human oversight, testing, validation, privacy, access control, auditability and secure data handling.
• Maintain a prioritised innovation and automation backlog, supported by clear problem statements, anticipated benefits, delivery plans and measurable outcomes.
• Promote technical learning and innovation through documentation, demonstrations, mentoring, knowledge sharing and collaboration across Cybersecurity and the wider technology organisation.

Who you are

• Degree-level knowledge in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant professional experience.
• Strong knowledge of AI and machine-learning technologies, particularly LLMs, prompt engineering, retrieval-augmented generation, model evaluation, AI agents and the limitations and risks of generative AI.
• Practical software-development or automation experience using relevant programming or scripting languages, APIs, structured data, source control, testing and modern development practices.
• Knowledge of the vulnerability-management lifecycle, including asset discovery, vulnerability identification, validation, risk assessment, prioritisation, remediation, exception management and reporting.
• Understanding cybersecurity principles and emerging AI security threats, including prompt injection, insecure output handling, sensitive-information disclosure, excessive agency, model abuse and supply-chain risk.
• Sufficient understanding of enterprise technology environments – including applications, operating systems, cloud services, networks and infrastructure – to analyse security issues and collaborate effectively with specialist technical teams.
• Commercial awareness of the cybersecurity, vulnerability-management and AI technology markets, including the capabilities and limitations of competing products, vendor services, open-source solutions and internally developed alternatives.
• Strong analytical, communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear risks, recommendations, business benefits and delivery priorities.

Worried that you don't meet all the desired criteria exactly?

We know that everyone is unique, with multiple aspects to their identity and different experiences behind them. We are passionate about Inclusion for All and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive, whatever their personal or professional background. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align exactly with every part of the job description, we encourage you to apply as you may be the right candidate for this role or another role, and our recruitment team can help you see how your skills fit in.

What we offer

We care about our people's success by offering great pay, bonuses, up to 28 days off plus bank holidays, and paid time for charity work. You can personalise our benefits for you and your family, like discounts, vouchers, a pension plan and loads more. We help with your career through our amazing learning tools and top-notch parental leave policies.

Need to Know

We are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and all offers of employment for this role are subject to background checks, including criminal (DBS) and financial checks to meet the regulators standards.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request as part of your recruitment journey, for example, extended time or breaks in between online assessments, a sign language interpreter, or assistive technology, please refer to the Accessibility section of our Careers website (https://careers.vodafone.com/uk/reasonable-adjustments/) for guidance.

We use AI in different parts of our business to boost innovation, improve efficiency, and create new opportunities. We know many candidates use AI to fine-tune their CVs or prepare for interviews, but what we really care about is your unique experiences and achievements.

During the interview, we want you to rely on your own knowledge and skills to show us who you really are-your personality, creativity, and abilities. Above all, we're looking for authenticity and can't wait to get to know the real you.