Head of Security Operations in London

Head of Security Operations in London

London Full-Time 120000 - 120000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Lawrence Harvey

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and build a modern Security Operations function from the ground up.
  • Company: Fast-growing financial services organisation backed by a strong private equity firm.
  • Benefits: Up to £120,000 salary, 10-20% bonus, and comprehensive benefits.
  • Other info: Collaborative team of security experts in a multi-cloud technology setting.
  • Why this job: Shape security operations in a dynamic environment and drive real change.
  • Qualifications: Proven leadership in Security Operations and strong knowledge of security tools.

The predicted salary is between 120000 - 120000 £ per year.

Location: London (2-3 days p/w in office)

Salary: up to £120,000 fixed salary + 10-20% bonus + benefits

Reporting Line: CISO

Lawrence Harvey are partnered with a digitally focused, fast-growing financial services organisation that are backed by a profitable and well-capitalised private equity firm. They are on the lookout for someone who wants to build and scale a modern security operations capability within a fast-growing organisation. This is a rare opportunity to shape the function from the ground up in a complex brownfield environment, driving security maturity, operational resilience, and detection and response capabilities across the business.

You'll be joining a multi-cloud technology environment, reporting directly to the Information Security Lead, whilst working within a supportive and collaborative environment full of Security experts.

What you'll be doing:

  • Build and lead the Security Operations function from scratch, including people, processes, governance, and technology
  • Develop the SOC operating model across monitoring, incident response, threat detection, vulnerability management, and operational security
  • Drive security transformation within a brownfield environment containing legacy infrastructure, cloud platforms, and hybrid estates
  • Establish and mature SIEM, SOAR, EDR/XDR, threat intelligence, and logging capabilities
  • Acting as an escalation point for security incidents
  • Optimising SOC tooling, workflows and detection rules
  • Replacing or redesigning ineffective processes
  • Improving automation and reducing false positives

What you'll need:

  • Proven experience leading a Security Operations function, preferably within a Financial Services offering but this isn't a deal-breaker
  • Excellent understanding of e.g Splunk, Sentinel, QRadar, EDR and Incident Response tooling
  • Experienced in improving processes, rather than simply maintaining them
  • Strong knowledge of regulatory expectations/audit frameworks
  • Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

Head of Security Operations in London employer: Lawrence Harvey

As a Head of Security Operations at our fast-growing financial services organisation in London, you will be part of a dynamic and innovative team dedicated to building a modern security operations capability from the ground up. We offer a competitive salary package, including bonuses and benefits, alongside a collaborative work culture that fosters professional growth and development. Join us to make a significant impact in a supportive environment where your expertise will drive security maturity and operational resilience.

Lawrence Harvey

Contact Details:

Lawrence Harvey Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Security Operations in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the security field, especially those in financial services. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even referrals.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies that highlight your experience in building and leading security operations. This will give you an edge during interviews and show you're ready to take on the challenge.

Tip Number 3

Stay updated on industry trends! Follow relevant blogs, podcasts, and forums to keep your knowledge fresh. This will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your passion for the field.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Security Operations in London

Security Operations Leadership
SOC Operating Model Development
Incident Response
Threat Detection
Vulnerability Management
Operational Security
SIEM Implementation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Security Operations role. Highlight your experience in building and leading security operations, especially in complex environments. We want to see how you've driven security maturity and operational resilience in your previous roles.

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 developed SOC operating models or improved processes in the past. We love a good story that showcases your skills!

Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to highlight your technical expertise with tools like Splunk, Sentinel, and EDR. We’re looking for someone who can optimise SOC tooling and improve automation, so make sure these skills are front and centre in your application.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to upload your CV and cover letter directly. Plus, it helps us keep track of all applications in one place!

How to prepare for a job interview at Lawrence Harvey

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of security operations, especially in a financial services context. Familiarise yourself with tools like Splunk, Sentinel, and QRadar, as well as incident response processes. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're ready to lead the function.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples of how you've built or improved security operations in previous roles. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them. This will demonstrate your ability to shape the function from the ground up, which is key for this role.

Understand the Business

Research the company’s background and its current security posture. Knowing their legacy infrastructure and cloud platforms will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in driving their security transformation.

Engage with Stakeholders

Be ready to discuss how you would manage relationships with various stakeholders. Highlight your communication skills and provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with different teams in the past. This is crucial for optimising processes and ensuring everyone is on board with security initiatives.