At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead network and security operations, ensuring stability and resilience in critical systems.
- Company: Join Canada Life, a trusted company improving the well-being of Canadians.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, health benefits, education reimbursement, and flexible work options.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for mentorship and community involvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in network/security operations with strong technical skills.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.
We are seeking a Senior Network and Security Specialist for our Network & Security Response team, responsible for providing technical expertise across our enterprise network and security platforms. This role is deeply technical and hands-on, focused on ensuring the stability, resilience, and effective operation of the tools and systems that protect and connect the organization.
Our ideal candidate possesses broad technical knowledge across network and security technologies, extensive experience managing complex tooling ecosystems, and a proven ability to lead during high-pressure major incidents. You will guide a team of senior technical practitioners, drive operational maturity, and ensure our network & security tools run reliably, securely, and efficiently.
What you will do:
- Operational Support & Major Incidents: Provide operational support for network & security tooling issues, delivering expert troubleshooting and deep technical analysis. Lead and coordinate technical bridge during significant (Major Incident) network or security platform–related incidents, ensuring quick mitigation and clear communication. Guide L1/L2 teams and managed service partners during escalations, ensuring efficient triage and resolution. Participate in post-incident reviews focused on systemic fixes, stability improvements, and operational learning. Lead cross-functional root cause investigations and Problem Management efforts to improve service reliability, reduce recurring incidents, and enhance operational resilience across Network & Security Services.
- Operational Excellence & Automation: Develop automation that improves repeatability, speeds up issue detection, and reduces manual effort in daily operations. Improve alert quality, tooling integration, and operational workflows to enhance response effectiveness and reduce noise.
- Partnership & Delivery: Collaborate with engineering and architecture teams to ensure new tools and capabilities are operationalized methodically with strong handoffs. Work with vendors and managed service partners to ensure accountability, quality, and timely resolution of issues.
- Governance, Compliance & Risk: Ensure alignment with technology, change, and security standards across all supported tooling. Support compliance audits, risk assessments, and vulnerability remediation planning.
What you will bring:
- Post-secondary degree/diploma in IT or equivalent experience.
- Certifications in networking, cloud, or security (CCIE, PCNSE, CISSP, CISM, AZ-500/700, etc.) preferred.
- 7+ years of hands-on operations experience in enterprise network and/or security environments.
- Strong technical understanding of network protocols, security tooling, and complex infrastructure operations.
- Experience supporting or managing large-scale tools from multiple vendors (Cisco/Meraki, Palo Alto/NGFW/Prisma, Check Point, F5, Microsoft, Cloudflare, etc.).
- Familiarity with automation, scripting, IaC (Terraform, Ansible), and DevSecOps operating practices.
- Ability to lead during high-impact situations while balancing long-term operational resilience.
- Strong communication, stakeholder management, and collaboration skills.
- Familiar with Infrastructure as Code and delivering infrastructure change via DevSecOps pipelines including Terraform and Ansible.
- Proven ability to develop and maintain collaborative business relationships.
- Able to pivot and quickly change direction in response to changing priorities.
- Experience coaching and mentoring technical practitioners.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and relationship building skills.
- Experience working in financial services industry an asset.
- You can balance pressure to deliver with the need to deliver secure, resilient platforms.
- You demonstrate approachability, innovation, and thought leadership.
- You are a systems thinker, an effective communicator, and can find the balance between when to be tactical vs. strategic.
The base salary for this position is between $105,000 - $120,000 annually. This represents base salary only and does not represent other variable compensation components of our total compensation (i.e. annual bonus, commission etc). If you are selected to move forward in our recruitment process, your recruiter will be able to discuss additional details of our total rewards program with you.
What we offer:
- Career Development: Opportunities for career advancement, access to industry-leading learning programs and up to $2,000 annually towards education reimbursement.
- Health & Wellness: Flexible health and dental benefits, plus a $5,000 mental health benefit to support your well-being.
- Time Off: In addition to regular vacation and personal days, we support community involvement with a volunteer day.
- Financial Security: Company-matching pension plan, share ownership program and additional investment options.
- Rewards and Recognition: Employee recognition programs, service milestone celebrations, employee discounts and more!
- Emphasis on Community: We provide a workplace where employees feel connected and supported through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), mentorship programs, social clubs and events.
We’re committed to removing barriers and ensuring equal access to employment. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation during the application process may contact talentacquisitioncanada@canadalife.com. All information provided will be handled in accordance with applicable laws and Canada Life policies. Canada Life would like to thank all applicants, however only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.
Senior Network and Security Operations Specialist in London employer: Canada Life
Canada Life UK is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and growth of its employees, offering a modern and agile work environment in vibrant locations like Bristol, London, and Watford. With a strong focus on building better futures, the company fosters a welcoming culture and provides ample opportunities for professional development, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Network and Security Operations Specialist in London
✨Get Involved in the Cybersecurity Community
Diving into the cybersecurity community is key for landing that full-time gig. Join forums like Reddit's r/cybersecurity or attend local meetups to connect with industry veterans and other job seekers. Networking is everything in this field—don’t just be a passive lurker!
✨Show Off Your Skills with Capture the Flag Competitions
Participate in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions; these are not just a fun way to boost your skills but also a chance to showcase your talent to potential employers. Many companies, including Canada Life, love seeing candidates who actively engage in these challenges.
✨Tailor Your Online Presence
Make sure your LinkedIn and any professional profiles reflect your cybersecurity expertise. Share your projects, whether they’re personal or from a previous role, to catch the eye of hiring managers. This is how they’ll find your passion and commitment to the field!
✨Apply Directly Through Canada Life
Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at Canada Life. Applying directly can sometimes give you an edge, especially if you can mention that you've been following our work or engaging in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Network and Security Operations Specialist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your technical skills:In cybersecurity, it's crucial to highlight your technical prowess. Make sure your CV showcases specific skills like network security, penetration testing, or threat analysis. If you have relevant certifications (like CEH or CISSP), pop those on the front page to grab attention!
Tailor your portfolio for the role:Even for a full-time role, a portfolio can set you apart. If you've worked on any cybersecurity projects—be it CTF challenges, security assessments, or research papers—include these in your application. This demonstrates not just your skills, but also your hands-on experience!
Use real-world examples:When writing your cover letter, don’t just stick to your qualifications. Share real-world examples of how you’ve tackled security issues or vulnerabilities. This gives the hiring team at Canada Life insight into your practical problem-solving abilities and makes your application memorable.
Demonstrate your passion for cybersecurity:Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, so show us that you’re always learning! Mention any recent courses, webinars, or industry events you’ve attended. This not only exhibits your enthusiasm but also signals to Canada Life that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.
How to prepare for a job interview at Canada Life
✨Sharpen Your Technical Skills
For a role in cybersecurity, it’s essential to be up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques. Brush up on your knowledge of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and vulnerability assessment tools. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you’ve applied these skills, as hands-on experience can really set us apart in interviews.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect the interviewers at Canada Life to throw in some hypothetical situations to see how you’d handle them. Think about common security breaches or incidents and be prepared to explain how you would respond. This not only shows your problem-solving skills but also your understanding of real-world cybersecurity challenges.
✨Highlight Your Certifications
Certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CEH can give you a significant edge in a full-time role in cybersecurity. Make sure to mention these during your interview and be prepared to discuss what you learned through those certifications and how they relate to the position at Canada Life.
✨Show Your Passion for Cybersecurity
Since you’re going for a full-time gig, showing genuine enthusiasm for the field can make all the difference. Share any personal projects, blogs, or communities you’re part of that relate to cybersecurity. This not only showcases your passion but also your commitment to staying engaged in this ever-evolving field.
