Head of Security (Regional Lead – Midlands)
Job summary
Cyber Operations purpose is to support safe care and build public trust by building NHS England's cyber resilience and enabling the wider health system to be cyber resilient, supporting Transformation Directorate's purpose of delivering the best care and outcomes for the NHS.
The Cyber Operations sub-directorate consists of four operational areas:
- Cyber Security Operations Unit (CSOU & SIO)
- Cyber Delivery Unit (CDU)
- Cyber Improvement Programme
- Chief Information Security Office Function (CISO)
The security landscape is constantly evolving, and this is your opportunity to think creatively and positively contribute towards improving the security resilience of health and care organisations across England. Our regions are split into 7 geographical areas and each area has a Head of Security allocated to it. We are recruiting for a Head of Security to provide the Midlands region of England with information security subject matter expertise This could range from tactical advice and guidance during a cyber security incident, to assurance of cyber security strategies and consultancy on security aspects of strategic development.
You will join a 9 strong team of cyber professionals in the Cyber Delivery Unit who are key to supporting the delivery, augmentation, awareness, and application of the services and offering regional health organisations with information security subject matter expertise when needed.
Main duties of the job
In the role of Head of Security, you will be responsible for:
- Being the regional interface and voice of NHS England in the Midlands of England, allowing effective two-way communication by engaging with a variety of stakeholders, giving a voice to their feedback on a variety of security services to drive improvement.
- Being an advocate for the centrally delivered services the Cyber Operations directorate can deliver and ensure effective take-up of these services across the Midlands region.
- Driving cyber security as a leadership responsibility.
- Supporting organisations in developing their information security posture using your expertise and influence.
- When requested, drive adherence across region to requests for action and monitor such adherence, stepping in when required to ensure compliance.
- Representing the Regional team at broader NHS England meetings.
- You will also be asked to attend other regional areas upon request
This is an exciting and influential position offering you the opportunity to support the delivery of world class services which have a direct positive impact on our society; all within a flexible, caring organisation which puts its people at its heart.
As a Head of Security - Midlands, you will be expected to travel to and across the Midlands area and attend organisational and regional meetings as part of your work.
About us
NHS England has a wide range of statutory functions, responsibilities and regulatory powers. These are focused on supporting the wider NHS to deliver high quality care, as well as doing those things that are best done once for the whole NHS.
Our staff bring expertise across clinical, operational, commissioning, technology, data science, cyber security, software engineering, education, and commercial specialisms -- enabling us to design and deliver high-quality NHS services.
In March 2025, the Government announced that NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care will increasingly merge functions, ultimately leading to NHS England being fully integrated into the department.
If you currently work within the NHS and if successful at interview, we will initiate an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR).This retrieves key data from your current or previous NHS employer to support onboarding, including competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement. You may opt out at any stage of the process.
Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in our offices.
Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You can find further details about the role, including key responsibilities and accountabilities, alongside the organisational structure and person specification in the attached Job Description and other supporting documents.
Please ensure your supporting statement includes demonstratable evidence and specific examples on how you meet the criteria for each of the key skills specified. This will be used in both the shortlisting and interview processes
Important: Please be aware there are residency requirements you need to meet:
All NHS England Cyber Security personnel must hold Security Clearance level as a minimum. To meet National Security Vetting requirements, SC clearances require 5 years continuous UK residency. In certain cases, this can be reduced to three years continuous UK residency, with additional overseas checks for the previous two years. Candidates who were posted abroad for service with HM Government, Armed Forces or within a UK government role - will still be considered.
Please make sure you meet these requirements before applying for this role. You dont need to have SC already, however, failure to achieve the requirements for SC after offer will result in the job offer being withdrawn. For further advice please check https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels#security-check-sc
Please be aware that should you be successful in this position, you will be hired to the job title of Head of Security and this job title is advertised to attract the right skills needed for the role.
The post of Head of Security has been awarded a Recruitment and Retention Premia (RRP) in response to current labour market conditions. In recognition of this, the role attracts an additional monthly RRP payment equal to 30% per annum.
Please be aware that RRP is non-contractual and subject to review
If you like what you have read and think you have the skills and experience, we need then don't delay, apply today! We get lots of applications for our roles and so we sometimes have to close our posts early. Don't miss out!
Person Specification
Knowledge
- Advanced specialist knowledge of the processes, tools and techniques of information security management, ability to deploy and monitor information security systems, as well as detect, resolve and prevent violations of IT security, to protect organisational data.
- Extensive knowledge of concepts, tools and practices of dealing with computer crime; ability to detect and prevent business crimes that involve computers/networks as instruments.
- Extensive knowledge of modules, processes and technologies of Information Security Operation Centre (ISOC); ability to detect, response and utilise related platform and applications to perform cyber security initiatives.
Skills and Experience
- In-depth knowledge of and the ability to utilise tools and techniques for assessing the effectiveness of information security measures, identifying potential risk exposures, and protecting the availability, confidentiality and audit trails of information from destruction or manipulation.
- Detailed knowledge of and the ability to protect information and information systems while ensuring their confidentiality, integrity and availability.
Qualifications
- Masters level degree in Cyber Security or a relevant subject, or equivalent level of experience.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
NHS England
Address
Any NHSE West Midlands office
Any NHSE West Midlands office
LS1 4AP
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/working-for/