Cyber Security Manager (18 Month FTC)

Directorate: Strategy & Innovation

Contract Type: 18 Months Fixed Term Contract

Hours: 36

Salary: £71,713 - £79,409

Location: Colindale

Closing Date: Midnight March 9th 2026

About Barnet Council

Barnet is a borough with much to be proud of. Our excellent schools, vibrant town centres, vast green spaces and diverse communities all help make it a great place to live and work. As a council we want to build on these strengths as we move into the future. We are growing and developing as an organisation to meet the challenges facing our borough and we are committed to working with partner organisations and residents to make Barnet even better. As an organisation, our staff are committed to Our Values: Learning to Improve, Caring, Inclusive, Collaborative – which drive everything we do.

About the role

This is an exciting time to join Barnet as we grow our Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) capabilities and ensure our technology services and IT providers provide robust, secure services and Cyber security mitigation is designed into any digital transformation work. We are investing in smarter services, better use of data, modern technology, and you will play a key part in shaping this future. The Cyber Security Manager will lead the Council's approach to safeguarding its technology assets, systems, and data against evolving cyber threats. This role is responsible for developing and implementing a robust cyber security strategy aligned with national standards and local government best practice. The postholder will oversee risk management, compliance, and incident response, ensuring the resilience of critical services and the protection of sensitive information. Acting as the Council's subject matter expert, the Cyber Security Manager will drive a culture of security awareness across the organisation, provide strategic advice to senior leaders, and manage relationships with external partners to maintain a secure and trusted digital and data environment. This is a high impact role with visibility across the organisation. You will influence senior leaders, guide major technology decisions, and help create a modern and secure, integrated architecture that supports better services and outcomes for residents. This is a hybrid role. You will be expected to attend monthly in‑person team days in our Colindale office. We also come into the office to meet service stakeholders, work together on collaboration, discovery and user testing sessions and department days.

About you

You are an experienced cyber security professional who brings both strategic insight and hands‑on expertise. You have a strong track record of protecting complex organisations from evolving cyber threats, ideally within the public sector or other regulated environments. You understand national standards and frameworks such as NCSC guidance, PSN, PCIDSS, GDPR and Cyber Essentials Plus, and you know how to translate these into practical, proportionate controls that keep systems, people and data safe. Relationship building is one of your strengths. You know how to influence, challenge constructively and collaborate across organisational boundaries, including with outsourced partners and internal stakeholders. You champion security by design, drive cultural change, and communicate in a way that brings people with you. Strong communication and negotiation skills, with proven experience influencing senior stakeholders. You are confident working with modern security technologies including Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Defender, and the wider Microsoft E5 security suite. You can analyse risks, interpret complex technical information, and provide clear advice to senior leaders, project teams and service managers. You are proactive, highly organised, and able to balance multiple priorities while keeping residents, partners and staff at the heart of your decision‑making. You are motivated by public service, committed to learning and continuous improvement, and you share our values of caring, collaboration, inclusivity and curiosity. Above all, you want to help create a safer, more resilient and more secure Council for the residents and communities of Barnet.

What we offer

• 31 days annual leave, plus public and bank holidays
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, which provides a valuable guaranteed income in your retirement together with security for your dependents
• Work‑life balance options may include hybrid working, flexitime, job share, home working, part‑time
• A vast range of lifestyle discounts from major retailers, supermarkets, energy suppliers and more
• Broad range of payroll benefits including cycle to work, eye care vouchers, travel and gym membership
• Excellent training and development opportunities
• Employee well‑being training programmes including confidential employee assistance

How to apply

Read the job description and person specification before clicking 'Apply' to commence the online application form. If you would like any further information about the role before applying, please contact James Rapkin, Head of Organisational Insight & Intelligence. Barnet Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Barnet operates stringent safer recruitment procedures, this may include AI Detection Screening, Biometric ID/Right to Work Checks, Qualification and Registration Checks, Up to 6 years of Employment Data and Insights to Accelerate Screening (Konfir), Up to 5 years of Employment History References, DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) Checks, Credit Checks and Social Media, Sanctions and Occupational Health Screening. To deliver Barnet Council's commitment to equality of opportunity in the provision of services, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. As such we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Barnet Council embraces all forms of flexible working (including part‑time, compressed hours, and hybrid working) and is committed to offering employees a healthy work‑life balance. Candidates are encouraged to talk about relevant requirements and preferences at interview. We can't promise to give you exactly what you want, but we do promise not to judge you for asking. Barnet Council is a Disability Confident Committed Employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at (url removed). All posts with the council are subject to a probationary period of six months, during which time you will be required to demonstrate to the council satisfaction your suitability for the position in which you will be employed. Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient number of applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible. Please ensure you regularly check the email account (including JUNK MAIL folders) that you use to submit your application, as any further communication regarding your application will be sent electronically. Should you not hear from us within four working weeks of the closing date for this post, then regretfully in this instance, you have not been shortlisted.