Security Architect Lead - Met Office - G7

We’re looking for an exceptional Security Architect Lead to help us make a difference to our planet. 

As our Security Architect in Cyber Security the job may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in the office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and the location advertised will be your contractual place of work. 

Our opportunity is full time, 37 hours per week. Our people are at the heart of what we do and we'll do our best to agree a working pattern that works for everyone.

World changing work 

From science to technology, from meteorology to management, and from planning to communication, our expertise helps us stand out as the authority on weather accuracy and climate prediction. We help individuals, industries and government to make better decisions to stay safe and thrive. This is the Met Office. This is who we are. 

•    We’re a force for good - focusing on our environmental and social impact

•    We’re experts by nature - always learning and developing to do things better

•    We live and breathe it - putting our purpose at the heart of decision-making

•    We’re better together - understanding partnerships and inclusivity make us greater

•    We keep evolving - pushing boundaries to make tomorrow better for our customers

Job description

Your world of expertise 

As the Security Architect within the Security Operations team of the Met Office’s Cyber Security Department, you will design and implement security solutions that protect Met Office digital services.

You'll advise on enterprise security initiatives to further enhance our cyber security posture, safeguarding systems that are essential to public safety and national security.

This role requires close collaboration with our Security Operations Center and Vulnerability Management teams to continuously improve our security services.

Your key duties:

• Design and implement enterprise security solutions for on-premises and cloud-based systems by applying technical architecture, risk management, and threat analysis to create solutions that are resilient from attack

• Assess and improve security postures to address evolving cyber threats, keeping our operational defenses proactive and effective by identifying risks and closing gaps

• Develop security solutions that enhance our ability to protect, detect and respond to, and recover from cyber incidents

• Lead and coach teams on cyber security practices, technical excellence, while fostering a culture of collaboration and personal development

• Assess risks related to proposed changes and recommend security controls that support business objectives

The Met Office Security Profession has adopted the Government Security Profession as its over-arching professional framework. you will need to evidence the relevant skills and competencies applicable to a Security Architect Lead as defined by the Government Security Profession.

We operate an on-call roster in Technology to provide 24/7/365 support to respond to operational service requirements. This post may be part of an on-call roster and the postholder would be required to participate in an on-call roster where in operation. 

Person specification

Essential criteria, skills and experience: 

1. Turn security risks into solutions - experience in designing and successfully delivering technical designs from concept to completion using standardised control frameworks (such as 27001/2) appropriately 
2. Bridge the gap - the ability to develop and communicate security concepts (vision, principles and strategy) that manage security risks to information, systems, and processes that support the delivery of balanced and cost-effective risk management decisions  
3. Make and guide decisions - experience communicating security and risk effectively, apply security principles to business requirements to provide confidence
4. Lead - the ability to lead and coach personnel across departments on cyber security best practice to ensure common tools and patterns are used effectively to deliver secure solutions with proportionate controls to enable business outcomes.
5. Knowledge of industry security solutions including network detection and response, security information and event  management, extended detection and response, threat intelligence and vulnerability management.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £52,799, Met Office contributes £15,295 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Why join us 

Our work is life-changing, often life-saving and always life-enhancing. The Met Office is Great Place to Work UK certified. We are also featured on their ‘Best Workplaces in Tech’ 2023 and 2024 lists, as well as their ’54 Best Workplaces for Women’ 2023 list.

As our Lead Security Architect in Cyber Security, your total reward package will be up to £82,518 annually, which includes: 

•    £52,799 base pay

•    An outstanding Civil Service pension, with an average employer contribution of 28.97%

•    Recruitment Retention Allowance (RRA) you will be paid £9,000 per annum as a market supplement to reflect the demand for your skills. Whilst in post, you will be paid this market driven allowance from April 2024 until September 2025 in your monthly pay

•    Annual Leave starting at 27.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising to 32.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) after 5 years and option to buy or sell up to 5 days per year of annual leave