At a Glance
- Tasks: Help clients navigate quantum cryptography challenges and develop post-quantum migration roadmaps.
- Company: Grant Thornton, a forward-thinking firm driving positive change in the industry.
- Benefits: Flexible contracting options, community support, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive community that values your unique contributions.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in the evolving field of quantum cryptography.
- Qualifications: Experience in cryptography and understanding of quantum computing implications.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
Who we are
At Grant Thornton we're building something bold. We're doing things differently - looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. And we empower our people with real opportunity. Our journey from great to exceptional is well underway. With significant investment behind us and a clear strategy for growth, there's real momentum.
Our Agile Talent Community (ATC) brings together experienced contract professionals who want choice without losing connection. You work where you add the most value, alongside teams who treat you as a partner rather than a placeholder. Grant Thornton's Cyber Advisory team is rebuilding and growing its talent pool to support a strengthening pipeline of client work spanning cyber maturity assessments, governance and controls, third-party risk and emerging technology advisory. We're looking for experienced cyber professionals to join our Agile Talent Community and deliver Grant Thornton-led advisory engagements for clients across financial services and beyond.
If you're a cryptography specialist with a genuine quantum-readiness background, you'll help our clients understand where current cryptographic standards break down under quantum computing and advise on their post-quantum cryptography (PQC) migration roadmap - from crypto inventory and discovery through prioritisation and transition planning. You'll be equally comfortable translating a highly technical subject into a board-level narrative.
Skills we are looking for:
- Cryptography background, with a clear understanding of where current cryptographic standards break under quantum computing
- Experience building or advising on a PQC migration roadmap: crypto inventory/discovery, prioritisation and transition planning
- Able to translate a highly technical subject into a board-level narrative and plan
- Awareness of emerging standards (NIST PQC, CNSA 2.0) and vendor tooling in this space
- Relevant cryptography/security certification or academic background preferred; NCSC or industry quantum-readiness experience a strong plus - we'll flex on formal credentials for the right depth of experience
Why Consultants choose the ATC:
- Work that moves you forward: When a project fits your skills, we'll get in touch, but you choose whether it's right for you. That means working on engagements that genuinely build your portfolio and expand your expertise.
- The freedom of contracting without the hidden admin: You're not left to navigate the freelance world alone. Our Agile Talent team helps you understand freelance regulation and connects you with people who broaden your thinking through our teams and clients.
- Community you can actually feel: Connection shouldn't disappear just because you're contracting. From market insights to wellbeing sessions to networking events, you'll be part of a community designed to make the independent path less isolated and more impactful.
Our culture and values: We have a culture where talented people thrive - where high performance is not just expected but enabled. It's a culture built on clarity, curiosity, and care. One that challenges us to aim higher, where we're encouraged to make the most of an abundance of resources to fuel our own development, and where we support each other to grow, learn, and succeed. Our open and accessible culture means you'll interact with leaders who are interested in you and everything you bring to our firm. The things that set you apart, we value them. That's why we give you the freedom to bring your whole self to work and pursue your passions inside and outside of work.
Interim Quantum / Cryptography Specialist employer: Grant Thornton
Grant Thornton is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises collaboration and innovation. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to mentor junior staff while working with a diverse portfolio of large corporate clients in a globally connected environment. The flexible working options further enhance the work-life balance, making it a rewarding place to build your career in tax advisory.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Quantum / Cryptography Specialist
✨Get Active on Cybersecurity Forums
Join platforms like Stack Exchange and Reddit’s r/cybersecurity to hang out with industry pros, learn the latest, and share your insights. This will not only boost your visibility but also help you connect with potential clients who might need your freelance services.
✨Show Off Your Skills with Public Projects
Create a few open-source projects or contribute to existing ones that showcase your cybersecurity skills. Use GitHub to display your work, as this is an excellent way to attract clients looking for freelancers with a proven track record.
✨Attend Local Conferences and Meetups
Make sure to hit up cybersecurity meetups, workshops, and conferences in your area. These events are goldmines for networking, and you’ll often find people looking for freelancers after a chat over a coffee – so come prepared with your business cards and a killer elevator pitch!
✨Market Yourself Smartly
Set up a professional website that showcases your portfolio, expertise, and client testimonials. Optimise it for SEO with relevant keywords so potential clients searching for cybersecurity freelancers can easily find you. Don’t forget to link to your site on all your social media and profiles!
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Quantum / Cryptography Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Skills Through a Strong Portfolio:Since you're applying for a freelance role in cybersecurity, it's crucial to showcase your technical skills through a detailed portfolio. Include case studies of projects you've worked on, any security tools you've developed or assessed, and specifics on the methodologies you’ve used. This will help Grant Thornton understand what you're capable of.
Certifications Matter!:Make sure to list any relevant certifications you hold, such as CISSP, CEH, or CompTIA Security+. Freelance clients often value these credentials as they reflect your expertise and commitment to the field. If you’re actively pursuing more certifications, don’t hesitate to mention that too!
Rates, Availability, and Your Work Style:In your application, it’s essential to be clear about your freelance rates and availability. Clients appreciate transparency. Mention how many hours a week you can dedicate and your preferred working hours, as this sets expectations from the start and shows you're organised and professional.
Tailor Your CV to Highlight Cybersecurity Experience:When crafting your CV, make sure to tailor it specifically to cybersecurity. Highlight projects, tasks, and achievements related to security assessments, vulnerabilities you've mitigated, or compliance work you've undertaken. Keywords relevant to the job can grab attention and increase your chances of landing a spot at Grant Thornton.
How to prepare for a job interview at Grant Thornton
✨Showcase Your Cybersecurity Skills
As a freelancer in cybersecurity, it’s crucial we demonstrate not just our knowledge but our practical skills too. Be ready to discuss specific tools you’ve used, like Wireshark or Metasploit, and share relevant experiences where you identified vulnerabilities or mitigated risks in past projects.
✨Prepare Your Portfolio
Unlike traditional roles, freelancing relies heavily on your portfolio. Let’s curate a selection of past work that showcases our best projects. If we’ve handled penetration tests, audits, or incident responses, be sure to highlight these in your portfolio, and share any client testimonials if we have them.
✨Stay Updated on Trends and Tools
Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, so we should be prepared to chat about recent developments and how they impact our work. Familiarise ourselves with the latest threats, tools, and frameworks, like MITRE ATT&CK, that are pertinent to the projects we’re pitching.
✨Pitching Your Value as a Freelancer
When freelancing, we often need to negotiate our rates and value propositions. Be ready to explain how our skills can help Grant Thornton protect their assets and manage risks. It can help to outline some potential strategies or improvements we could implement for them based on their current setup.
