DV Cleared Security Architect

DV Cleared Security Architect

DURATION: Initial 6-month contract (Will be extended)
LOCATION: Central London and remote working
ONSITE REQUIREMENTS: Hybrid working, with up to 2 days per week onsite in Central London
ENGAGEMENT TYPE: Via PAYE/Umbrella
DAY RATE: Market rates

LEGAL RIGHT TO WORK: Candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK. Sponsorship is not available for this assignment.

SECURITY CLEARANCE: Candidates must hold active Developed Vetting (DV) clearance.

GIBBS CONSULTING SUMMARY
Gibbs Consulting is recruiting a Security Architect to support a major technology-enabled transformation programme within the UK public safety and national security sector.

This is an opportunity to contribute to a high-profile programme focused on modernising the management and use of highly sensitive intelligence information through the development of a secure, modern and fit-for-purpose information management platform.

JOB OVERVIEW
The Security Architect will provide expert security architecture leadership across a major information management transformation programme.

Working closely with application development teams, programme leadership, technical specialists and senior stakeholders, you will lead the security design and assurance of complex, high-risk technology solutions. You will influence key architectural decisions, advise senior risk owners and ensure security risks are effectively identified, assessed and managed throughout the programme life cycle.

The role requires deep technical security expertise, extensive experience within secure government environments and the ability to communicate complex security and risk considerations clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

RESPONSIBILITIES
* Lead the security architecture and design assurance of complex, high-risk systems and services.
* Define, review and challenge security architecture principles, standards, patterns and technical designs.
* Provide expert security advice to programme leadership, senior risk owners and technical delivery teams.
* Identify, assess and communicate security risks, vulnerabilities and their potential impact across current and future technology solutions.
* Apply appropriate security risk methodologies to support informed, risk-based decision-making.
* Monitor changes within the technical and threat environment and determine whether existing security decisions and risk positions remain appropriate.
* Influence key architectural and security decisions across large-scale business change and technology transformation programmes.
* Translate complex security concepts and risk implications clearly for senior technical and non-technical stakeholders.
* Manage stakeholder expectations across complex, high-risk environments and within constrained delivery timescales.
* Collaborate with internal teams, technology service providers, security and data protection authorities, commercial teams and business stakeholders.
* Assess security considerations across on-premises, private cloud and public cloud environments.
* Evaluate the potential security risks and benefits associated with emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence.
* Support security accreditation, audit, assurance and governance activities across government security classification levels.
* Challenge and support changes to security policies, processes and controls to enable business and technology transformation.
* Promote security architecture best practice and contribute to the wider security professional community.

REQUIREMENTS
* Active Developed Vetting (DV) clearance is essential.
* Extensive experience working as a Security Architect within complex, high-risk or security-sensitive environments.
* Strong experience supporting large-scale business change and IT-enabled transformation programmes.
* Proven experience implementing or advising on security initiatives designed to reduce strategic security risks.
* Strong knowledge of security architecture across on-premises, private cloud and public cloud environments.
* Experience leading security design reviews and influencing complex architectural decisions.
* Strong understanding of technical vulnerabilities, associated risks and their potential impact on current and future system designs.
* Demonstrable experience working on secure technology programmes that enable significant business change.
* Experience managing multiple senior stakeholders, including large technology service providers, security and data protection authorities, commercial teams and business functions.
* Proven ability to communicate complex security and risk considerations to senior technical and non-technical audiences.
* Experience supporting secure national-level programmes within complex in-house and supplier-led delivery environments.
* Strong knowledge and experience of national government security accreditation and assurance processes across Government Security Classification levels.
* Strong understanding of the Cabinet Office Security Policy Framework and security requirements relating to higher government security classifications.
* Experience developing and working with security audit, assurance and independent challenge processes.
* Strong understanding of the commercial, operational, technical and supplier environments required to deliver complex programmes successfully.
* Ability to manage competing priorities, work effectively under pressure and deliver high-quality communications within tight deadlines.
* Proven experience contributing as a key member of a high-performing, multidisciplinary programme team.

NICE TO HAVE
* Previous experience working within policing, law enforcement, national security or a closely related public sector environment.
* A recognised cyber or information security qualification, such as CISSP or CISM.
* Experience assessing the security risks and opportunities associated with Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies.