At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations in a high-pressure environment while coordinating incident responses.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at Hanslope Park focused on cyber security.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience in a 24x7 operational control room with clear career progression.
- Other info: Enjoy a balanced shift pattern with plenty of rest days.
- Why this job: Be the central point of control in a critical role that makes a real difference.
- 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 (detailed below)
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
- 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.
SOC Analyst & Duty Manager in Northampton 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 dynamic work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing employees with ample opportunities for professional growth and development in a high-pressure operational environment. With a commitment to work-life balance through a structured shift pattern and a focus on diversity and inclusion, we ensure that our team members feel valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact.
Contact Details:
Certes IT Service Solutions Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SOC Analyst & Duty Manager in Northampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those who work in SOC or NOC environments. Attend meetups or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for advice or insights. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your operational leadership skills. Think of scenarios where you had to make quick decisions under pressure. Practise explaining your thought process clearly, as this role is all about effective communication and coordination.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your technical awareness without being a tech whiz. Be ready to discuss how you interpret alerts and logs at a high level. Highlight any experience you have with incident management and how you’ve successfully coordinated teams in past roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace SOC Analyst & Duty Manager in Northampton
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 or coordination, and let us know how you handle time-critical situations.
Showcase Your Decision-Making Skills:In your application, emphasise your ability to make quick decisions under pressure. We’re looking for someone who can maintain operational oversight and coordinate effectively, so share any relevant experiences that demonstrate these skills.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates about 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 balance of both. Be ready to discuss how your past experiences align with these key aspects.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your decision-making in high-pressure situations. Think of examples from your previous roles where you had to coordinate incident responses or manage escalations. Practising these scenarios will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Coordination Skills
This role is all about effective coordination across various teams. Be prepared to share specific instances where you successfully led a team or managed multiple stakeholders. Highlight your ability to maintain situational awareness and deliver clear handovers, as these are crucial for the position.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions that show your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about their current challenges in incident management or how they measure success in the SOC. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also gives you valuable insights into the team's dynamics.
