At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead security risk and governance projects, advising clients and managing teams.
- Company: Join a top Defence consultancy with a Gold Award for employer recognition.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension, training support, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity to grow into a Principal Consultant role with complex engagements.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in security while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in security risk consultancy and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
- | Senior Risk & Governance Consultant ||
- | Full-Time ||
- | Cheltenham ||
- | |
| | --- | | **About the Role** As a Senior Consultant in our Risk & Governance team, you will be an experienced and trusted practitioner in security risk, governance and assurance, working with client stakeholders across Defence and wider UK Government.
You will lead engagements day to day and produce work that needs minimal review.
You will also help to grow the practice: line managing Consultants and Junior Consultants, contributing to new methodologies and toolkits, and supporting bids and client development.
Our Risk & Governance services cover
- Leadership and governance support.
- Risk management and assurance across IT, OT and supply chains.
- Risk culture, awareness and training.
- Data protection and privacy.
- Government and Defence-specific services, covering areas such as Secure by Design, CSMv4, FSC and IPSA support.
You will bring strong experience in one or more of these areas and breadth across the others.
- **What You Will Do**
- Act as a trusted advisor to client stakeholders on security risk, governance and assurance, leading client conversations with confidence.
- Lead engagements day to day, managing scope and pace, surfacing risks early in writing and engaging stakeholders honestly.
- Deliver within agreed scope, recording your time accurately, and understand how delivery efficiency affects margin.
- Deliver technical assurance and risk management work to a high standard across enterprise IT, operational technology and supply chain environments, producing work that needs minimal review.
- Hold yourself and your peers to a high quality bar, reviewing colleagues' deliverables and giving constructive feedback.
- Line manage Consultants and Junior Consultants, including regular one-to-ones and input to their personal development plans.
- Develop and own elements of new methodologies, toolkits and service offerings.
- Contribute to bid responses and proposals, and build client relationships that lead to further work.
- Propose specific improvements to how the practice delivers, and help implement them across the team.
- Build your profile in the security community, for example through case studies, articles or industry events. | ||
- | What We Offer
CDS DS will offer you a competitive salary, pension and package to reflect your knowledge, skills and experience, together with support for training and professional certification.
CDS DS is a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award winner.
Where This Role Can Lead
Senior Consultants who want to progress can work towards Principal Consultant through our internal promotion process.
That means taking on our most complex engagements, leading the development of new service offerings and helping to drive the growth of the business unit, supported through personal development planning and our internal career framework. ||
| What We Are Looking For
We do not expect anyone to meet every point below. If this role excites you but you do not tick every box, we would still encourage you to apply.
Essential
- Significant experience delivering security risk, governance or assurance consultancy within Defence, wider UK Government or other regulated sectors, including leading engagements day to day.
- Strong knowledge of cyber security risk and governance (capability at SFIA Level 5 or equivalent), with strong knowledge of most of the standards, frameworks and legislation listed below, and application of many of them in client work.
- Experience managing client stakeholders and reporting clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Experience of line management or formal supervision of other consultants.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presenting to senior client audiences.
- High proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
- Flexibility to travel and work throughout the UK.
Desirable
- Experience contributing to new services, methodologies or toolkits.
- Experience contributing to proposals, bids or client development.
- Specialist depth in an area that broadens our offer, for example operational technology and industrial control systems, integrated safety and cyber security (such as STPA), supply chain assurance, data protection and privacy, or Secure by Design.
- Involvement in the security community, for example through professional bodies, events or working groups.
- An understanding of how consultancy engagements are scoped and priced.
- Relevant Standards, Frameworks & Legislation
The list below is not exhaustive, but it covers the standards, frameworks and legislation we encounter most often.
We would expect a Senior Consultant to have a strong working knowledge of most of them and to have applied many of them in client work.
- HMG and NCSC information assurance policy and guidance, such as the Cyber Assessment Framework and Cyber Essentials
- MOD security assurance approaches, including JSP 440, Secure by Design and CSMv4
- ISO/IEC 27001 and NIST frameworks
- FSC, IPSA and List N
- ONR Security Assessment Principles (Sy APs)
- UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, the Computer Misuse Act, the Official Secrets Act and the NIS Regulations
Qualifications, Certifications & Clearance
We would expect you to hold intermediate-level certifications and professional recognition, and to be working towards expert level. Examples include:
- BCS CISMP or ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer or Lead Auditor, and ideally holding, or actively studying for, ISC2 CISSP, ISACA CISM or CRISC.
- Associate Membership of CIISec, working towards Full, and/or Practitioner Cyber Security Professional (Pra CSP) with the UK Cyber Security Council, working towards Principal (Pri CSP), or equivalent.
- A degree in cyber security, information assurance or a related subject (desirable).
You will also need to hold security clearance, or be willing and eligible to undergo and maintain it. |
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Senior Risk & Governance Consultant in Cheltenham employer: CDS Defence & Security
CDS Defence & Security is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, ideal for marketing professionals eager to make a significant impact. Located in Worcester, the company offers competitive benefits, opportunities for professional growth, and a chance to work on strategic marketing initiatives within the defence sector. Employees enjoy a supportive environment where creativity is encouraged, and their contributions are valued, making it a rewarding place to advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Risk & Governance Consultant in Cheltenham
✨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 CDS Defence & Security, 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 CDS Defence & Security
Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at CDS Defence & Security. 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 Risk & Governance Consultant in Cheltenham
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 CDS Defence & Security 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 CDS Defence & Security that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.
How to prepare for a job interview at CDS Defence & Security
✨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.
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✨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 CDS Defence & Security.
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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.