Director, Security & Resilience in Swindon

Director, Security & Resilience in Swindon

Swindon Full-Time 94931 - 117800 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead security and resilience strategy for UKRI, ensuring protection of people and research.
  • Company: Join UKRI, a leader in supporting research and innovation across the UK.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and flexible working options.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on the UK's research landscape while shaping security policies.
  • Qualifications: Masters’ degree in security or resilience; significant experience in leadership roles.
  • Other info: Hybrid working available with opportunities for professional development and growth.

The predicted salary is between 94931 - 117800 £ per year.

Salary: £94,931- £117,800 per annum (dependent on skills and experience)

Hours: Full Time or Part Time (Minimum 0.8 FTE)

Contract Type: Open Ended, secondees and transfers welcome.

Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire. Hybrid working available with regular office attendance and travel across UKRI offices.

Grade: UKRI X

Closing Date: Sunday February 8th 2026

Interview Date: W/c 9th March 2026 in person in our London office. Please note these dates may be subject to change.

Ready to shape the security and resilience of the UK’s research and innovation system?

About the Role

You will report to the Chief of Operational Delivery and provide senior, organisation-wide leadership on security and resilience for UKRI. You will shape how the organisation protects its people, research, infrastructure, and reputation. Working at the centre of an organisation that supports research and innovation across the UK and internationally, you will set the strategic direction for embedding security and resilience across all councils and major programmes. You will bring clear, authoritative insight in a complex and evolving risk environment, enabling informed decision‑making across UKRI. You will anticipate emerging challenges and strengthen organisational preparedness, helping UKRI prevent, withstand and respond effectively to incidents. Through this, you will safeguard the continuity and credibility of the UK’s research and innovation mission.

Key Responsibilities

  • Defining and owning UKRI’s security and resilience strategy, policies and standards
  • Acting as principal advisor to the CEO, Board and senior leadership, delivering timely, threat-informed guidance
  • Building strong relationships across government, the UK intelligence community and the research sector to position UKRI as a trusted partner and thought leader
  • Directing delivery of UKRI’s security and resilience programme, including the Security and Resilience Operating Centre (SROC)
  • Overseeing budgets (circa £1.4 million annually plus £4 million change programme) and advising on wider organisational security spend
  • Leading and developing the UKRI Security and Resilience profession, managing a central team of 13 staff and a wider community of practice
  • Ensuring effective incident management, continuous professional development and alignment with cross-government security guidance

Person Specification

You will have significant and demonstrable experience of:

  • Developing and delivering an impactful strategy that meets UK government requirements and is practical and achievable within the organisation
  • Operational delivery across all security domains
  • Leading in a complex and federated organisation
  • Managing complex risks and issues in the context of security and resilience
  • Directing and responding to complex security and resilience incidents
  • Directing security and resilience within a large public sector organisation (ideally previous experience of being a senior security adviser (SSA) or equivalent)
  • Engaging and influencing senior colleagues across a federated organisation and wider UK government
  • Engaging with national technical authorities (NTA), Government Security Secretariat (GSecS) and UK intelligence community (UKIC) to achieve positive support and effective communication

Qualifications

  • Hold a Masters’ Degree or equivalent experience in a security and resilience related discipline
  • Hold relevant professional recognition such as being a Chartered Security (CSyP) or equivalent experience.

Security

Due to the nature of this role, candidates must be eligible for UK security clearance and willing to undergo the vetting process prior to starting the role. The required level is Developed Vetting (DV). If you do not currently hold DV clearance, please ensure you meet the eligibility criteria as set out in the UK Government guidance before applying: DV - Guidance Pack for Applicants - GOV.UK

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees’ development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

  • An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme
  • 30 days’ annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent)
  • Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities
  • Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice
  • Flexible working options

Visit our dedicated benefits webpage for more info: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

Director, Security & Resilience in Swindon employer: Cyber Security training courses

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at Polaris House in Swindon, where you can play a pivotal role in shaping the security and resilience of the UK's research landscape. With a strong commitment to employee development, a generous benefits package including a defined benefit pension scheme, and flexible working options, UKRI fosters a culture of continuous learning and collaboration, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful and impactful careers.
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Contact Detail:

Cyber Security training courses Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Director, Security & Resilience in Swindon

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the security and resilience field, especially those connected to UKRI. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart from the crowd.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by researching UKRI’s current security challenges. Show us you’re not just a candidate but someone who understands the landscape and is ready to tackle real issues head-on.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! You’ll want to clearly articulate how your experience aligns with the role. We’re looking for someone who can lead and inspire, so make sure your passion shines through.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our culture there.

We think you need these skills to ace Director, Security & Resilience in Swindon

Security and Resilience Strategy Development
Operational Delivery in Security Domains
Risk Management
Incident Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Influencing Senior Leadership
Communication with National Technical Authorities
Budget Oversight
Team Leadership
Continuous Professional Development
Understanding of Government Security Requirements
Experience in Public Sector Security
Chartered Security Professional Recognition
Eligibility for UK Security Clearance

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in security and resilience. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point!

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Director, you’ll need to demonstrate your leadership capabilities. Share examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past, especially in complex environments. We love to see strong leaders in action!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our careers site! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Cyber Security training courses

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you’re well-versed in UKRI’s security and resilience strategy. Familiarise yourself with their current policies and any recent incidents they’ve faced. This will help you demonstrate your understanding of the role and how you can contribute to shaping their approach.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams and managing complex security issues. Think about specific situations where you’ve influenced senior colleagues or directed a successful security initiative. This will show them you have the necessary skills to lead at a senior level.

✨Build Relationships

Since this role involves engaging with various stakeholders, be ready to discuss how you’ve built strong relationships in previous roles. Share examples of how you’ve collaborated with government bodies or the intelligence community to achieve positive outcomes.

✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that assess your ability to handle complex security incidents. Prepare to discuss how you would respond to hypothetical scenarios, demonstrating your strategic thinking and decision-making skills. This will showcase your readiness to tackle the challenges of the role.

Director, Security & Resilience in Swindon
Cyber Security training courses
Location: Swindon
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