Security Manager

Location: Midlands

Job Type: Full-Time 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Salary: Competitive (DOE)

At Airband, we’re building more than broadband networks, we’re helping reshape connectivity across the UK. Originally established to tackle the digital divide in rural and underserved communities, Airband has grown into a dynamic broadband provider delivering services through Fibre, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and wholesale network partnerships.

Role Summary

The Security Manager is responsible for leading and continuously enhancing Airband’s cyber and information security capability across all business and operational environments, including corporate systems, customer platforms and telecommunications network infrastructure. This role will define and implement the organisation’s cyber security strategy, governance framework and operational security controls to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of systems, services and data. The Security Manager will play a key role in protecting Airband’s FTTP and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) networks from evolving cyber threats, ensuring operational resilience and regulatory compliance across both IT and service provider network environments. The role requires a strong blend of strategic leadership, technical cyber security expertise, operational risk management and telecommunications network security knowledge. The Security Manager will work closely with Network Engineering, Systems, NOC, Infrastructure, Field Operations and third-party security providers to ensure effective threat detection, incident response, vulnerability management and continuous security improvement.

Responsibilities

• Cyber Security Strategy & Governance
  • Define, implement, and maintain Airband’s cyber and information security strategy, policies, standards and governance framework.
  • Develop and maintain a security roadmap aligned to business objectives, operational resilience and regulatory requirements.
  • Ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of systems, data and network services across the organisation.
  • Maintain ownership of the cyber security risk register, ensuring risks are identified, assessed, tracked and mitigated appropriately.
  • Conduct regular security risk assessments, threat modelling and security posture reviews.
  • Ensure compliance with relevant standards, frameworks and legislation including ISO 27001, NIST, GDPR, and the UK Data Protection Act.
  • Support internal and external audit activities relating to cyber security and operational compliance.
• Network & Infrastructure Security
  • Lead the security oversight of Airband’s FTTP, IP, transport and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) network environments.
  • Ensure appropriate network security controls are implemented across service provider infrastructure, including routing, switching, peering, transit and customer edge environments.
  • Develop and maintain DDoS detection, mitigation and response capabilities to protect critical network services and customer connectivity.
  • Maintain working knowledge and operational application of service provider security principles including BCP38 anti-spoofing controls and MANRS best practices.
  • Collaborate with Network Engineering and NOC teams to improve visibility, threat detection, monitoring and operational response capabilities.
  • Oversee vulnerability management and remediation activities across network, infrastructure and platform environments.
  • Review and assess security implications of network changes, new technologies and infrastructure deployments.
• Security Operations & Incident Management
  • Manage third-party security providers responsible for monitoring, detection, threat intelligence and incident response services.
  • Lead security incident response activities, ensuring effective triage, containment, communication, recovery and post-incident review.
  • Establish and maintain security monitoring, alerting and escalation processes across both IT and network environments.
  • Drive continuous improvement in detection capability, incident handling and operational security maturity.
  • Ensure effective coordination between Security, NOC, Systems, Infrastructure and Engineering teams during cyber incidents or operational threats.
  • Produce security reporting, metrics, dashboards and trend analysis for senior management and operational stakeholders.
• Security Culture & Awareness
  • Promote a strong security-first culture across the organisation through awareness campaigns, education programmes and operational engagement.
  • Deliver guidance and support to technical and non-technical teams on cyber security best practice and risk reduction.
  • Support the development of operational procedures, playbooks and standards relating to cyber security and operational resilience.
  • Provide mentoring and leadership across security-related operational activities and projects.

Key Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in a cyber security leadership or Security Manager role within a technology, telecommunications, ISP, or infrastructure environment.
• Strong understanding of cyber security principles, frameworks and governance including ISO 27001, NIST, GDPR and operational security best practice.
• Strong technical understanding of service provider and telecommunications network security principles.
• Working knowledge of DDoS attack detection, mitigation techniques and operational response processes.
• Understanding of BCP38 anti-spoofing principles and MANRS operational best practices.
• Experience securing IP networks, FTTP infrastructure, internet-facing platforms, and fixed wireless network environments.
• Experience managing security operations, incident response, threat management and vulnerability remediation activities.
• Strong knowledge of security technologies including SIEM, EDR, IAM, DLP, firewalls, IDS/IPS, and vulnerability management platforms.
• Experience working with third-party security monitoring and managed security service providers.
• Strong analytical and risk management capability with the ability to balance security, operational, and commercial priorities.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, including the ability to influence at senior leadership level.
• Strong leadership and organisational skills with the ability to drive continuous improvement and operational maturity.
• Experience working within fast-paced operational or critical infrastructure environments preferred.
• Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, ISO 27001 Lead Implementer/Auditor, GIAC, or equivalent are desirable.

Additional Key Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Effective time management and prioritisation.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a wider team.
• Embraces change, is adaptable and is willing to learn.
• Customer / user-focused mindset.
• Continuous improvement mindset.
• Planning and organisational skills.
• Competent use of Microsoft 365 tools.
• Embraces diversity.
• Emotional intelligence and professionalism.

Leadership & Ownership

• Credible and authentic, viewed by others as having a high degree of integrity.
• Ability to give and receive feedback constructively.
• Accountability and ownership of outcomes.
• Ability to influence without authority.
• Coaching or mentoring capability.
• Strategic thinking and alignment to objectives.
• Data driven decision-making and sound judgement.
• Effective risk assessment & mitigation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Stakeholder management and relationship building.

Technical & Digital Skills

• Ability to learn new systems and technologies quickly.
• Data handling and analysis skills.
• Understanding of digital ways of working and collaboration tools.

Qualifications & Professional Knowledge

• Essential: Experience working within an ISP or carrier environment.
• Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, ISO 27001 Lead Implementer/Auditor, GIAC, or equivalent are desirable.

What can Airband Offer you?

• 25 days of paid leave a year rising to 30 plus bank holidays with service.
• 5% Airband pension plus a minimum 3% employee contribution.
• Customer referral bonus - a thank you for every customer you send our way.
• We offer hybrid working – a mix of working from home and in the office.
• Free Broadband - If you are in our coverage, you can benefit from free broadband with us! (subject to time served).
• 20% off your monthly line rental on EE’s phone, tablet, SIM only or mobile broadband plans.
• Cycle to work, Tech scheme, Healthcare and medical insurance. Dental care, and Health cash fund (dependent on the length of service).
• Airshare (employee discount platform) - discounts on everyday shopping, weekly groceries, holidays, the list is endless - save up to £1,000 a year!
• Refer a friend reward scheme – a selection of great rewards to choose from!

Pre-employment checks

Please note that you are required to have the right to work in the UK and we request satisfactory references as part of our recruitment process. A DBS check may be required for a number of our roles, particularly those that are customer-facing. Also, a driving licence may be required for positions that require you to be out in the field as part of the role. Recruitment agency support is not required at this time.