Cyber Security Lead/Manager (Sentinel)

Cyber Security Lead/Manager

Local Authority | North London | £650/day (Inside IR35) | 3 Month Contract | Hybrid: 2 days onsite/3 days WFH

A North London local authority is seeking an experienced and proactive Interim Cyber Security Lead to steer the organisation through a critical period of transformation and security maturity uplift. This is a hands-on role, ideally suited to someone who enjoys getting into the detail, solving problems, and leading from the front.

You will manage a small team of Cyber Security Analysts while acting as the key figure for coordinating and delivering the council's cyber security programme. You will help shape the authority's response to emerging threats, support a forthcoming PSN audit, and play a key role in automation and platform development efforts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead day-to-day cyber security operations, managing threats, incidents, and vulnerabilities across the organisation

• Support preparations for an upcoming PSN audit, ensuring required controls, documentation, and mitigations are in place

• Lead on the use and optimisation of Microsoft Sentinel, including playbook development and automation to improve detection and response

• Guide and support two Cyber Security Analysts, ensuring timely response to alerts and ongoing development of capabilities

• Collaborate with wider IT teams and stakeholders to embed security across systems, processes, and decision-making

• Liaise with third-party suppliers, audit bodies, and public sector networks to ensure compliance with best practice and regulatory requirements

• Promote awareness of cyber risk across the authority and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement in security

Experience & Skills Required:

• Proven track record in leading cyber security operations, ideally within a local government or wider public sector environment

• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Sentinel, including implementation and automation of response playbooks

• Strong leadership and coordination skills - able to drive progress across internal teams and suppliers

• Experience supporting or leading on PSN compliance and related public sector frameworks (Cyber Essentials, ISO27001, NCSC guidance)

• A collaborative, pragmatic, and delivery-focused approach - comfortable rolling up sleeves to get things done

• While not deeply technical, you should be confident engaging with infrastructure, application, and service delivery teams to ensure security is Embedded

• CISSP (or equivalent professional certification) is essential