At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate penetration testing projects and ensure smooth client engagement from start to finish.
- Company: Join Cognisys, a leader in cyber security and compliance solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, health benefits, and a £2,000 training budget.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cyber security while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills and experience managing multiple projects or client engagements.
Location: Leeds (Hybrid)
Salary: £28 000 - 33 000 (DOE)
Please note: While this role is advertised as Enablement Manager, the official internal job title at Cognisys is Project Manager. The responsibilities and scope of the role remain exactly as described below.
About Cognisy s
At Cognisys, we help organisations build confidence in their cyber security, governance and compliance. Through our specialist teams, we provide Penetration Testing, Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) consultancy and Managed Security Services that enable our clients to operate securely and confidently.
Our people are trusted advisors who work in partnership with clients to solve real business challenges. We pride ourselves on delivering pragmatic, commercially focused advice that creates lasting value, underpinned by our values of Together, Ownership, Momentum and Excellent.
As we continue to grow, we're looking for an Enablement Manager - Penetration Testing to join our expanding PenTest Team.
The Opportunity
Our Penetration Testing team is central to helping clients understand and reduce real-world cyber risk through high-quality offensive security testing.
We're looking for someone who is highly organised, proactive and passionate about delivering an exceptional client experience. This role is responsible for ensuring penetration testing engagements run smoothly from initial client engagement through to final report delivery.
You don't need to come from a traditional project management or cybersecurity background. If you thrive on coordinating multiple priorities, building strong relationships, removing obstacles and keeping projects moving, we'd love to hear from you.
This role is about enabling success—supporting our consultants so they can focus on delivering exceptional technical work while ensuring our clients always know exactly where they stand.
Client & Engagement Management
- Act as the primary point of contact for multiple penetration testing engagements.
- Build trusted relationships with clients throughout the engagement lifecycle.
- Ensure client objectives, timelines and expectations are clearly understood and managed.
- Facilitate project kick-off meetings, regular status updates and engagement close-out sessions.
- Provide proactive communication throughout the delivery lifecycle.
Project Planning & Coordination
- Own the pre-engagement process, including scope confirmation, authorisations, target information and access requirements.
- Develop and maintain project plans, testing schedules and delivery timelines.
- Coordinate consultant allocation to ensure engagements are delivered efficiently.
- Manage multiple concurrent engagements while balancing competing priorities and deadlines.
Delivery & Quality Assurance
- Coordinate the reporting lifecycle from draft report through internal quality assurance to final client delivery.
- Arrange retesting activities where required.
- Monitor engagement progress and proactively identify delivery risks or potential delays.
- Escalate issues where appropriate while resolving day-to-day challenges independently.
Internal Collaboration
- Work closely with Penetration Testers, Delivery Managers and internal stakeholders to ensure engagements progress smoothly.
- Remove blockers that may impact successful delivery.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives across the Penetration Testing team.
- Help develop and improve internal documentation, playbooks, processes and tools to increase efficiency and consistency.
About You
We're looking for someone who combines exceptional organisational skills with strong communication and stakeholder management abilities.
You'll enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, juggling multiple priorities while maintaining an excellent customer experience.
Essential
- Experience coordinating multiple projects, client engagements or operational activities simultaneously.
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Experience managing customer or stakeholder expectations.
- Ability to prioritise competing demands and deliver to deadlines.
- A proactive, solution-focused approach with strong problem-solving skills.
- Comfortable making decisions and taking ownership to keep work moving.
- Highly collaborative with the ability to work across technical and non-technical teams.
Desirable
- Experience within Cyber Security, IT Services, SaaS or Professional Services.
- Exposure to penetration testing or wider cybersecurity engagements.
- Experience using project management, CRM or service delivery platforms.
- Knowledge of penetration testing methodologies or information security concepts.
If you think you can deliver but don't meet every requirement listed above, we'd still love to hear from you. At Cognisys, we value attitude, potential and the ability to learn just as much as previous experience.
Why Join Cognisys?
Joining Cognisys means becoming part of a collaborative team that's passionate about delivering exceptional outcomes for clients while supporting one another's success.
In return, we offer:
- Annual Leave: 25 days per year plus 8 English bank holidays
- Additional Leave: 1 day of paid leave for your Birthday.
- Health & Wellbeing: Access to Westfield Health Care Cash Plan and an employee mental health and wellbeing platform.
- Professional Development: £2,000 annual training budget to support your continued learning and career growth.
- Referral Bonus: help to grow our team and earn up to £2,000 per successful referral.
We welcome applications from candidates from a range of diverse backgrounds and can make various reasonable adjustments to consider individual needs.
Enablement Manager (Penetration Testing) - Leeds UK Tech Team · Leeds HQ · employer: Cognisys Group
Cognisys Group is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development within a dynamic and supportive work culture. With the flexibility of remote work options and a focus on building strong client relationships, employees are empowered to drive meaningful impact in the cybersecurity sector while enjoying a collaborative environment that fosters innovation and success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Enablement Manager (Penetration Testing) - Leeds UK Tech Team · Leeds HQ ·
✨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 Cognisys Group, 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 Cognisys Group
Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at Cognisys Group. 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 Enablement Manager (Penetration Testing) - Leeds UK Tech Team · Leeds HQ ·
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 Cognisys Group 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 Cognisys Group that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cognisys Group
✨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 Cognisys Group 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 Cognisys Group.
✨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.
