Cyber Security Lead in Manchester

Interact provides enterprise-grade intranet software that connects over three million employees to leading global names like Levi's, Domino’s, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and Technicolor. Our team of customer-focused problem solvers are passionate about helping organizations to communicate better. We do this together by constantly working to improve every service and product we offer. With offices in Manchester, New York, Dubai, Tulsa, Warsaw, and Manila, we operate across North America, EMEA, and Australia.

We are looking to bring onboard a Lead Cyber Security Engineer to lead our blue and red teams. In this role you will lead the implementation and maintain robust security solutions that safeguard the organisational assets against cyber threats. Proactively identifying vulnerabilities, mitigating risks, and enhancing the overall security posture through continuous monitoring, incident response, and adherence to industry best practices and regulatory requirements. Close collaboration with cross-functional teams and staying abreast of emerging technologies, building a resilient and secure environment, fostering trust and confidence in our organisation’s digital infrastructure.

A Little About You

• 7+ years experience in Cyber Security
• Solid background within Cyber Security in a Lead or Manager position
• Strong understanding of networking protocols, security technologies, and risk management principles
• Extensive hands-on experience leading complex cybersecurity investigations across the full incident lifecycle — from initial triage of suspected compromise through forensic deep-dive analysis, containment, eradication, and lessons-learned reporting.
• Skilled in correlating telemetry across SIEM, EDR, and cloud platforms to reconstruct attacker activity, determine scope and impact, and deliver clear findings to technical and executive stakeholders.
• Experience with security incident response, including handling and mitigating security incidents
• Proficiency in security tools and technologies, such as SIEM, SOAR, DLP, endpoint protection, and vulnerability assessment tools
• Hands-on experience with security frameworks, standards and regulatory requirements
• Continuous learner with a proactive approach to professional development and staying updated on industry trends and emerging technologies

Technical Proficiency: You should possess strong technical skills, including knowledge of networking protocols, security technologies, operating systems, and programming languages. You should be adept at using security tools and technologies to detect, prevent, and mitigate cyber threats.

Analytical Thinking: Cyber security engineers need to analyse complex systems, identify vulnerabilities, and assess potential risks effectively. You should possess strong analytical skills to understand security issues, assess their impact, and develop practical solutions to mitigate them.

Problem-Solving Ability: Cyber security engineers encounter various challenges and threats in their roles. You should be a skilled problem solver, capable of addressing security incidents, troubleshooting issues, and devising innovative solutions to protect against evolving cyber threats.

Attention to Detail: Given the critical nature of cybersecurity, attention to detail is paramount. You should be able to pay close attention to security logs, alerts, and system configurations to identify anomalies, potential breaches, and security weaknesses.

Continuous Learning: The field of cybersecurity is constantly evolving, with new threats, technologies, and best practices emerging regularly. You should have a thirst for knowledge and a commitment to continuous learning to stay updated on the latest trends, tools, and techniques in the field.

Communication Skills: Effective communication is essential to collaborate with colleagues, convey technical information to non-technical stakeholders, and articulate security risks and mitigation strategies. You must be able to communicate complex concepts clearly and concisely.

Ethical Mindset: As a Lead Cyber Security Engineer you will handle sensitive information and have access to critical systems. You should uphold high ethical standards, maintain confidentiality, and demonstrate integrity in your work to build trust and credibility within the organisation.

Teamwork and Collaboration: Cyber security is a team effort that requires collaboration with colleagues from various departments, including cloud, IT, development, and compliance. You should be effective team player, capable of working collaboratively to address security challenges and implement effective solutions.

Adaptability: The cybersecurity landscape is dynamic and constantly evolving, with new threats and technologies emerging regularly. You should be adaptable and flexible, able to quickly adjust to changing circumstances, learn new technologies, and respond effectively to emerging threats.

Attention to Compliance: You should have a strong understanding of relevant regulations, compliance standards and industry best practices to ensure that security measures align with regulatory requirements and organisational policies to protect against e.g. legal and regulatory risks.

Deep understanding of cybersecurity frameworks, threat modeling, and incident response protocols across enterprise environments. Proficiency in security tools and technologies, including SIEM, SOAR, DLP, endpoint protection, and vulnerability assessment platforms. Strong grasp of networking protocols and infrastructure security, including firewalls, IDS/IPS, and encryption mechanisms. Familiarity with compliance standards and regulatory requirements, such as ISO 27001, GDPR, and NIST. Experience integrating security into the software development lifecycle, ensuring secure design, coding, and deployment practices. Strategic and proactive leader, capable of guiding both blue and red teams with clarity, purpose, and a strong focus on secure operations. Empathetic mentor and coach, committed to developing team members through knowledge sharing, best practices, and continuous improvement. Analytical and detail-oriented, with a sharp eye for identifying vulnerabilities, assessing risks, and implementing effective mitigation strategies. Collaborative communicator, able to engage cross-functional teams and translate complex security concepts into actionable insights. Culturally aligned with Interact’s values, fostering trust, transparency, and a human-centered approach to cybersecurity leadership.

About the role

• Manage the team to ensure the cyber teams are aligned in their daily operations to ensure the business is operating in a secure manner.
• Coach and guide the team members in their various experiences to adopt best practices and ensure secure operations.
• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive cybersecurity strategies to protect organizational assets against cyber threats.
• Conduct regular risk assessments and vulnerability scans to identify potential security gaps and mitigate risks effectively.
• Design and deploy robust security architecture, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption mechanisms, to safeguard network infrastructure and data.
• Monitor security infrastructure for suspicious activities, investigate incidents, and implement incident response procedures to minimize impact and ensure timely resolution.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate security controls into the development lifecycle of applications, systems, and networks.
• Stay updated on emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and industry best practices to continuously enhance security posture and mitigate potential risks.
• Provide guidance and support to internal stakeholders on security-related matters, including policy development, awareness training, and compliance requirements.
• Participate in security audits, compliance assessments, and regulatory reviews to ensure adherence to relevant standards and regulations.
• Maintain documentation of security processes, procedures, and incident response plans to facilitate knowledge sharing and continuity of operations.
• Proactively identify opportunities for automation and optimization of security operations to improve efficiency and effectiveness.