At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations in a high-pressure environment while managing incident responses.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at Hanslope Park focused on cybersecurity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, diverse work culture, and opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Flexible shift patterns with ample rest days and career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of cyber operations and make impactful decisions.
- Qualifications: Experience in SOC/NOC workflows and strong decision-making skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: Hanslope Park (onsite)
Clearance: DV (Developed Vetting) required
Shift Pattern: 24x7 shift rota
Overview
We are recruiting for a Duty Manager / SOC Analyst to operate within a live, high-pressure operational control environment. This is a blended role combining operational leadership with technical awareness. The successful candidate will act as a central point of control, maintaining operational oversight across multiple domains while coordinating incident response and enabling effective decision-making.
In simple terms, this role suits someone who can act as an operational commander with enough technical awareness to ask the right questions and control the room.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain a single operational picture across cyber, network, service, and physical domains
- Monitor live environments and assess alerts and incidents in real time
- Perform initial triage and validation of alerts to reduce noise and structure incidents
- Control escalation pathways and prioritisation of incidents
- Coordinate across SOC, NOC, infrastructure, and security teams
- Support or initiate major incident management activities
- Maintain logs, dashboards, and accurate operational records
- Deliver clear handovers and continuous situational awareness across shifts
Capability Profile
This role is intentionally balanced:
- 60% Operational Leadership / Coordination
- 40% Technical Awareness / Triage Capability
The focus is not on deep technical expertise, but on the ability to understand, assess, and direct activity effectively in a live environment.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Understanding of SOC and NOC workflows, including alert triage and escalation paths
- Ability to interpret monitoring alerts (availability, performance, security), logs and dashboards at a high level
- Awareness of incident severity, impact, and prioritisation
- Experience working within a 24x7 operational or control room environment
- Strong coordination and decision-making capability in time-critical situations
Ideal Candidate Background
We are particularly interested in candidates with profiles such as:
- Former Major Incident Manager with some technical exposure
- Senior SOC/NOC Analyst with leadership or coordination experience
- Service operations lead within a 24x7 control room environment
Shift Pattern
5 Week rotation: 4 weeks of 12-hour shifts, 1 week of Days (Mon-Fri). Provides Continuous improvements - business growth and resource cover. Provides 3 clear weekends out of 5 and plenty of rest days. Day shift 7am to 7pm / Night shift 7pm to 7am. Shift Rota starts 4 nights 3 off / 3 days 2 off (48hrs) / 3 nights 4 off / 4 days 6 off / 5 m-f days and then it repeats.
If you are interested, please reach out to Nathan at Certes Computing (and all of its subsidiary companies) is committed to promoting equality and diversity in its business operations.
SOC Analyst & Duty Manager in Milton Keynes employer: Certes IT Service Solutions
At Certes Computing, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for the SOC Analyst & Duty Manager role at our Hanslope Park location. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our supportive work culture, which fosters collaboration and innovation in a high-pressure environment. With a unique shift pattern that ensures work-life balance and ample rest days, we provide our team with the opportunity to thrive both personally and professionally while contributing to critical operational success.
Contact Details:
Certes IT Service Solutions Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SOC Analyst & Duty Manager in Milton Keynes
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to SOC operations and incident management. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with your responses.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills during interviews by sharing real-life examples of how you've handled incidents or led teams in high-pressure situations. This will demonstrate your operational leadership and technical awareness.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace SOC Analyst & Duty Manager in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the SOC Analyst & Duty Manager role. Highlight any relevant operational leadership or technical awareness you've got, as we want to see how you can fit into our high-pressure environment.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this blended role. Share specific examples of your experience in incident management and coordination, so we can see your decision-making skills in action.
Showcase Your Understanding of SOC/NOC Workflows:In your application, make sure to mention your understanding of SOC and NOC workflows. We’re looking for candidates who can interpret monitoring alerts and logs at a high level, so don’t hold back on showcasing your knowledge!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Certes IT Service Solutions
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a SOC Analyst & Duty Manager. Familiarise yourself with operational leadership and technical awareness, as this role requires a blend of both. Be ready to discuss how your past experiences align with these key aspects.
✨Demonstrate Decision-Making Skills
Since this position involves coordinating incident responses, prepare examples that showcase your decision-making abilities in high-pressure situations. Think of times when you had to assess alerts or manage incidents effectively, and be ready to share those stories during the interview.
✨Brush Up on SOC and NOC Workflows
Understanding SOC and NOC workflows is crucial for this role. Review the processes involved in alert triage and escalation paths. Being able to speak confidently about these topics will show that you’re not just technically aware but also capable of leading operations smoothly.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that test your ability to maintain operational oversight and coordinate across teams. Practice responding to hypothetical situations where you need to prioritise incidents or manage a major incident. This will help you demonstrate your operational command skills effectively.
