Head of Cyber and Crypto Service

Ministry of Defence

Head of Cyber and Crypto Service  

Location: MOD Corsham

Salary: SCS1 – Up to £117,800

The Ministry of Defence has an ambition to put modern digital capability at the heart of how it operates to create winning advantage. The effective exploitation of information and supporting technology is a force multiplier – digital technologies, together with the effective capture, analysis and use of information, will enable transformative military and business performance. Strong Digital coherence will enable the frictionless flow of information across all operating domains, thereby enabling multi-domain integration.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Cyber and Crypto Service to join the Ministry of Defence. This is a strategic and high-impact position within Defence Digital’s Service Delivery Directorate, with responsibility for safeguarding critical national infrastructure and driving transformational change in the cyber and cryptographic landscape.

As the Service Executive for Crypto and Defensive Cyber, you will oversee a portfolio of live services and development programmes across all classifications. You’ll be at the forefront of shaping and delivering vital services such as the Joint Crypt Key Programme, Defensive Cyber Operations, and the Cyber Resilience Programme collectively supporting the UK and its coalition partners.

You will:

• Lead a multidisciplinary team of c.400 civil servants, military, and contractors.
• Direct delivery of a £350m+ annual portfolio of strategic defensive cyber and cryptographic services.
• Serve as the MOD Programme Director for the GMPP Joint Crypt Key Programme.
• Ensure alignment with MOD priorities, NCSC standards, and HMG strategy.
• Develop and manage relationships with senior stakeholders across government, military and industry.
• Own the Crypto & Defensive Cyber service offering end-to-end, ensuring legal, commercial, and security compliance.

What we are looking for

A proven leader with:

• Extensive experience delivering large-scale crypto or cyber security programmes.
• Deep knowledge of UK Government security and digital infrastructure, desirable, but not essential.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including oversight of complex procurement and delivery.
• A proven ability to lead change while maintaining operational excellence. Experience building empowered, inclusive teams across technical and strategic domains.

To apply, please click ‘Apply’.

When applying, please ensure that you provide the following information:

• Your CV
• A supporting statement (of not more than 2 pages) detailing how you can address the Essential criteria
• Contact telephone numbers as well as your personal email address
• A completed diversity monitoring form, this will appear on screen as part of the application process.

For a confidential discussion about the role, please do contact our recruitment advisers at GatenbySanderson who will be delighted to speak with you: Shoaib Haroon on Shoaib.haroon@gatenbysanderson.com or Martyn Brereton on martyn.brereton@gatenbysanderson.com

Should you have any queries about the application process, please contact Toria Lorman-Connolly on Toria.Lorman-Connolly@gatenbysanderson.com

Closing date: Sunday 1 June 2025 (23:55)