IT Systems Cyber Security Lead (Contract)

We are recruiting for an IT Systems Cyber Security Lead to join a leading manufacturing business on an initial 3-6 month contract.

This is a high-impact, hands-on role where you will take ownership of the organisation's cyber security and compliance agenda, helping to assess the current environment, close key gaps and drive the business towards Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001 readiness.

You will act as the go-to security specialist across the business, working closely with IT infrastructure, operations, leadership and third-party providers to improve security standards in a live 24/7 production environment.

The Role

You will combine practical technical delivery with security leadership, ensuring cyber security is embedded into day-to-day IT operations, business change and wider compliance activity.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery and preparation for Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001 certification.
• Assess the current IT environment, identifying security risks, vulnerabilities and compliance gaps.
• Implement practical security improvements across infrastructure, systems and operational processes.
• Embed security best practice into BAU IT operations, change control and support processes.
• Work closely with infrastructure, support teams and external technology partners.
• Improve security awareness across the business, including upskilling technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Engage with customers, auditors and senior stakeholders on security requirements.
• Support incident response planning, vulnerability management and risk remediation.
• Monitor the evolving threat landscape and translate risks into practical business actions.

Experience Required

This role would suit a pragmatic security professional who can operate effectively as the security lead without the support of a large dedicated team.

You will need:

• Strong cyber security experience across infrastructure, systems and operational IT environments.
• Proven experience delivering, supporting or preparing for Cyber Essentials / Cyber Essentials Plus.
• Experience identifying security gaps and turning recommendations into practical improvements.
• Strong understanding of identity and access management, including Entra ID, MFA and Conditional Access.
• Knowledge of endpoint and network security, including EDR/MDR, firewalls and secure configuration.
• Experience with vulnerability management, patching and incident response processes.
• Ability to translate technical risk into clear business impact.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence change across technical and non-technical audiences.

• Hands-on, practical and delivery-focused.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Able to balance security best practice with operational reality.
• Confident engaging with senior stakeholders, auditors, customers and technical teams.
• Proactive mindset with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to bring people on the journey.

Desirable Experience

• Exposure to offensive security principles or a "hacker mindset".
• Experience working in manufacturing, aerospace, defence or other regulated environments.
• Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, Microsoft Security, CEH or equivalent.

This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on cyber security professional to make a visible impact, improve security maturity and help shape the organisation's compliance roadmap.

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