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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the security of a sophisticated Microsoft 365 environment in a high-value research setting.
- Company: Join a prestigious scientific research organisation driving national innovation.
- Benefits: £500 per day, hybrid working, and potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to influence security strategy.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national projects while enhancing cloud security capabilities.
- Qualifications: Hands-on experience in Microsoft 365 security and strong communication skills.
£500 Per Day (Inside IR35) Based in Oxford, Hybrid Working - On site 3 days per week, 6 Month Contract with view to extend to 12 months and beyond! To Start ASAP
Your new company
We're supporting a prestigious, nationally significant scientific research organisation whose work drives some of the most advanced and ambitious projects in the UK. Operating at the forefront of innovation, they manage digital and data environments of exceptional scale and complexity. Their Microsoft 365 ecosystem is central to safeguarding sensitive research, enabling scientific collaboration and ensuring critical services run securely and efficiently. They are now strengthening their cloud security posture and are seeking expertise to guide, protect and evolve their Microsoft 365 capabilities. This is a setting where your skills will directly support work with real national impact.
Your new role
You will take the lead in shaping and securing a sophisticated Microsoft 365 estate within a high value research environment. Acting as the organisation's trusted specialist, you will oversee identity protection, access governance, cloud threat defence and compliance across Entra ID, Conditional Access, MFA, PIM, Microsoft Defender, Purview and related services. You will be responsible for diagnosing complex issues, conducting deep investigations, remediating threats and ensuring that policies, configurations and controls remain robust and resilient. Your work will involve collaborating closely with cyber security, infrastructure, networking and service delivery teams, ensuring that new services and configurations are delivered securely and aligned with modern best practice. This role will require clarity of thought, technical depth and the confidence to operate autonomously. Your ability to communicate effectively with colleagues at all levels, document secure standards and bring structure to complex environments will be central to strengthening the organisation's security foundations. This is a role where your expertise will be felt across the organisation and where your decisions will help safeguard systems of national significance.
What you'll need to succeed
- You will bring substantial hands on experience in Microsoft 365 security, with a deep understanding of identity protection, access control, threat detection and compliance.
- You'll have operated in complex or hybrid environments and will be fully confident configuring, troubleshooting and enhancing services such as Conditional Access, MFA, PIM, Defender, Purview and associated governance tools.
- You'll be familiar with interpreting and responding to cloud security threats, managing incidents end to end, and advising stakeholders on how to maintain a strong security posture.
- Experience with SIEM tooling, ideally Microsoft Sentinel, along with a strong understanding of Zero Trust principles, modern authentication and secure baseline configuration, will be highly valuable.
- On a personal level, you'll be proactive, analytical and organised, balancing high technical standards with a clear, concise communication style.
- You will be comfortable managing competing priorities, producing strong documentation and representing your expertise to both technical and non-technical audiences.
What you'll get in return
You'll join an organisation where technology and security form the backbone of major scientific endeavours. You will work within a highly collaborative environment that values expertise, precision and forward thinking solutions. This role offers the opportunity to influence security strategy, shape the development of cloud security capabilities and contribute directly to work that delivers national and global impact. Your contribution will be recognised, your voice will be valued and your technical leadership will help strengthen a mission critical digital landscape.
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
M365 Security Engineer (SC) in Didcot employer: Hays
Contact Detail:
Hays Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land M365 Security Engineer (SC) in Didcot
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who might have insights into the organisation you're targeting. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren't even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the company's projects and values. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their mission and how your skills can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your technical skills and be ready to demonstrate them. For a role like M365 Security Engineer, you might face scenario-based questions or practical tests, so brush up on your knowledge of Microsoft 365 security tools and best practices.
✨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, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace M365 Security Engineer (SC) in Didcot
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your hands-on experience with Microsoft 365 security. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what they're looking for and how your skills match up.
Showcase Your Projects: Include specific examples of projects where you've implemented identity protection, access governance, or threat detection. This will help us see your practical experience and how it relates to the role.
Keep It Clear and Concise: When writing your application, be clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your technical skills and experiences, making it easy for us to understand your expertise.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, your application will be processed more efficiently, and we can get back to you quicker about this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Know Your Microsoft 365 Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Microsoft 365 security features, especially around identity protection, access governance, and threat detection. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with tools like Conditional Access, MFA, and Microsoft Defender, as these will be crucial in the role.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share specific examples of how you've diagnosed and remediated complex security issues in past roles. Highlight your analytical approach and how you’ve managed incidents end-to-end, as this will demonstrate your capability to handle the challenges of a sophisticated environment.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Since you'll be collaborating with various teams, practice explaining technical concepts in a way that non-technical colleagues can understand. This will show your ability to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical audiences, which is key for this position.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with the organisation's mission and how your role contributes to national significance. Being able to articulate how your expertise in cloud security aligns with their goals will set you apart and show that you're genuinely invested in their work.