Head of Governance, Risk and Compliance (Information Security) in Basildon

Your impact Leonardo UK operates in a complex security, regulatory and defence environment. As Head of Governance, Risk and Compliance for the information security team, you will lead the function responsible for setting clear security standards, supporting proportionate risk decisions and providing assurance across the business. You will work across multiple business areas and may be required to travel between Leonardo UK sites, with hybrid working supported where appropriate for the role.

What you will do as Head of Governance, Risk and Compliance:

• Lead the Information Security Governance, Risk and Compliance function.
• Own and maintain UK Information Security standards, assurance arrangements and governance processes.
• Help ensure security controls, risk decisions and assurance activity are understood, evidenced and reported consistently across the business.
• Work with delivery teams, system owners, senior risk owners and security specialists to support proportionate security governance through the system lifecycle.
• Oversee assurance activity, including reviews and audits against agreed security plans and controls.
• Support continual improvement of the Information Security Operating Model, including better tooling, automation and data-led reporting.
• Deputise for the Head of Information Security when required, including representing the function in senior forums and supporting wider team leadership.

What you’ll bring:

You will bring experience of leading or shaping information security governance, risk and compliance in a regulated environment. You should be comfortable translating policy, regulation and business risk into practical security requirements that can be implemented, evidenced and assured.

Essential experience and skills:

• Experience in information security governance, risk and compliance.
• Professional security qualification such as CISSP, CISM or equivalent experience.
• Strong knowledge of security control frameworks and risk management practices.
• Knowledge of cyber and information risk frameworks or methodologies, such as FAIR or equivalent.
• Experience developing, maintaining or assuring security standards, policies, control frameworks or risk management artefacts.
• Understanding of MoD and other UK government security policy and frameworks.
• Experience working in a regulated, defence, aerospace, critical national infrastructure or similarly complex environment.
• Practical understanding of security risk assessment, residual risk, risk acceptance and non-compliance management.
• Experience supporting audit, assurance, control testing or compliance reporting activity.
• Ability to work with technical and non-technical stakeholders to ensure security requirements are understood and appropriately evidenced.
• Experience producing governance, risk or assurance reporting for senior stakeholders.
• Knowledge of security governance tooling, automation, dashboards or data-led reporting would be beneficial.

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

Security Clearance:

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).

Why join us:

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you’re looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity.
• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website. Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety. At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.