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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and scale a high-performing team in penetration testing operations.
- Company: Cognisys, a fast-growing global cybersecurity business.
- Benefits: £2,000 annual training budget, additional leave for your birthday, and global exposure.
- Why this job: Shape the future of penetration testing while ensuring operational excellence and client satisfaction.
- Qualifications: Strong background in penetration testing and leadership experience required.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for professional growth and influence.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.
Location: Leeds (Hybrid - 2-3 days in the office)
The Opportunity
Cognisys is entering its next phase of growth. As demand for our penetration testing services accelerates globally, we are seeking an exceptional Head of Test and Technical to take ownership of our day-to-day practice operations, performance and client delivery expectations. This is not a pure technical escalation role. It is a practice leadership role. You will lead, shape and scale a high-performing team of Security Consultants and Managing Security Consultants across multiple regions. You will drive utilisation, quality, delivery standards, commercial performance and client satisfaction ensuring our penetration testing function operates with clarity, consistency, client focus and momentum. You will work in close partnership with our Technical Director.
The Technical Director will focus on strategic tooling, R&D and emerging offensive capabilities. Your role will be to focus on operational excellence, team development and consistent delivery of those capabilities. Where methodologies evolve or new tools are adopted, the Technical Director will lead the what and why, and you lead the ‘how’ and implementation. If you combine deep offensive security credibility with outstanding consultancy skills and a strong commercial instinct, this is the role for you.
About the Role
As Head of Test and Technical, you will:
- Lead the operational performance of the Pen Testing practice across all regions
- Own utilisation, capacity planning and revenue delivery across the team
- Drive quality assurance and reporting standards
- Coach and develop consultants into trusted security advisors
- Partner with Sales and Client Success to scope complex engagements and support winning commercial bids
- Act as a senior escalation point for client engagements
- Embed a consultancy-led mindset across the function
- Contribute to the strategic growth of our offensive security capability
You will be responsible for ensuring that Cognisys delivers penetration testing services that are technically excellent, commercially disciplined and consistently exceptional in client experience.
Key Responsibilities
Practice Leadership & Operations
- Lead day-to-day operational management of the Pen Testing function
- Oversee workload planning, utilisation targets and delivery forecasting
- Ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget and to a high standard
- Develop practice KPIs and performance dashboards
- Drive continuous improvement in methodology and delivery frameworks
- Partner with Sales to support scoping, proposals and complex bids
- Ensure engagements are appropriately sized and commercially viable
- Maintain strong senior-level client relationships
- Lead post-engagement reviews and drive repeat business
- Identify opportunities for upsell and cross-sell into GRC and Managed Services
Consultancy & Quality
- Maintain high reporting standards with clear senior-level articulation of risk
- Embed a “trusted advisor” approach across the team
- Provide technical oversight on high-risk or high-profile engagements
- Ensure alignment with industry standards (CREST, CHECK, etc.)
- Lead and develop Managing Security Consultants
- Coach consultants in client communication and stakeholder management
- Support hiring, onboarding and capability mapping
- Contribute to career pathways and skills matrices
- Build a culture of Ownership, Momentum, Excellence and Together to support the Cognisys values
Requirements
We are looking for someone who blends technical credibility with leadership and commercial maturity.
Technical
- Strong background in penetration testing across infrastructure, web, API and cloud
- Experience leading complex engagements and red-team style assessments
- Solid understanding of offensive tooling and methodology
- Certifications such as OSCP, CRT, CREST CCT, or equivalent highly desirable
Leadership & Commercial
- Experience leading or managing a penetration testing team
- Strong understanding of utilisation models and revenue delivery
- Proven ability to scope and price consultancy engagements
- Comfortable engaging at CISO and Board level
- Exceptional written reporting and presentation skills
Personal Attributes
- Commercially astute
- Calm, credible and decisive
- Growth-oriented
- Collaborative and values-driven
What We Offer
- Additional Leave: 1 day for your birthday
- Professional Development: £2,000 annual training budget
- Global Exposure: Work with clients across 30+ countries
- Leadership Influence: Genuine ability to shape and scale a growing practice
Why Join Cognisys?
We are scaling intentionally. Our growth requires operational clarity, high standards and strong leadership. This role sits at the centre of that journey — shaping how our penetration testing function performs today and evolves tomorrow. You will work alongside a Technical Director focused on advancing capability, while you ensure the practice runs with discipline, quality and commercial edge. If you want to lead, elevate and scale a penetration testing practice within a fast-growing global cybersecurity business — we’d love to hear from you.
Applications
Please feel free to reach out to Andrea, our Senior Recruiter, if you would like any further information, to discuss accessibility requirements, or if you require this information provided in an alternative format – andrea.smith@cognisys.group
We welcome applications from candidates from a range of diverse backgrounds and can make various reasonable adjustments to consider individual needs.
Head of Test and Technical in Leeds employer: Cognisys
Contact Detail:
Cognisys Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Test and Technical in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at local meetups. 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 researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with yours. This will help you show them that you're not just a fit for the role, but for the team too!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience and how it relates to the Head of Test and Technical role. Highlight your leadership skills and technical expertise to make a lasting impression.
✨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 are proactive about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Test and Technical in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Test and Technical role. Highlight your leadership experience and technical expertise in penetration testing to catch our eye!
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 role. Share specific examples of how you've led teams and delivered exceptional results in previous positions.
Showcase Your Consultancy Skills: Since this role is about practice leadership, emphasise your consultancy skills. Talk about how you've built relationships with clients and driven successful outcomes in your past roles.
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 this exciting opportunity at Cognisys!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cognisys
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your penetration testing knowledge, especially around infrastructure, web, API, and cloud. Be ready to discuss your experience with complex engagements and any relevant certifications like OSCP or CREST.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role is all about practice leadership, so be prepared to share examples of how you've led teams in the past. Talk about your approach to coaching and developing consultants into trusted security advisors.
✨Understand the Business Side
Familiarise yourself with utilisation models and revenue delivery. Be ready to discuss how you've scoped and priced consultancy engagements, and how you can contribute to the commercial success of the team.
✨Engage with Confidence
Since you'll be interacting with senior-level clients, practice your communication skills. Prepare to articulate risks clearly and demonstrate your ability to engage at the CISO and Board level with confidence.