At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the cybersecurity strategy for a major retail group, ensuring customer data protection.
- Company: Join a global leader in retail, transforming digitally and prioritising customer trust.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive culture with opportunities for innovation and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of security in a high-profile role with board visibility and impact.
- Qualifications: Experience as a CISO in a large organisation, with strong leadership and technical skills required.
- Other info: This is a unique chance to influence security at scale across multiple markets.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We are working with a global leading retail group, undergoing significant digital and technology transformation, to appoint their new Group Head of Information & Cyber Security. This is a rare opportunity to shape and lead the cybersecurity agenda at scale in a complex, customer-centric environment that spans e-commerce, supply chain & physical retail and reaches millions of customers across the UK and beyond.
The Opportunity
As the Group Head of Information & Cyber Security, you’ll be the strategic leader and executive voice for information and cyber security across the group. Reporting into the Group CIO and working closely with the Executive Committee, you will develop and embed a modern, risk-based security strategy aligned to the business’s digital ambitions and complex technology estate. This is a high-profile, business-critical role with board visibility and accountability for protecting brand trust, customer data, operational integrity, and regulatory compliance across multiple markets.
Key Responsibilities
- Set the security vision and lead enterprise-wide execution across digital, physical, and third-party landscapes.
- Advise the Board and Executive Committee on cyber risks, trends, and readiness.
- Inspire, mentor, build and lead a high-performing security team: threat intel, SOC, GRC, DevSecOps, and more.
- Embed security into our digital transformation: cloud platforms, customer data, loyalty, payments.
- Govern and assure compliance with regulatory frameworks including GDPR, PCI-DSS, NIS2, ISO 27001, and evolving UK/EU legislation.
- Manage strategic security vendor relationships, budgets, and toolsets to ensure capability, scalability, and cost-efficiency.
What We’re Looking For
- Proven track record as Head of Information & Cyber Security | CISO in a large, customer-facing organisation—ideally within retail, e-commerce, consumer goods, or similar.
- Demonstrated leadership in securing digital transformation at scale (cloud migration, agile delivery, platform modernisation).
- Track record leading a strong and motivated security team (15+).
- Strong technical understanding of security architecture, cloud environments (AWS/Azure/GCP), identity and access management (IAM), and data protection.
- Experienced in board-level stakeholder engagement and crisis/incident leadership.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to execute, influence, and drive change in complex, federated environments.
- Relevant qualifications such as CISSP, CISM, CRISC, or equivalent are highly desirable.
Why Join?
- Be part of a major transformation journey where security is at the heart of the strategy.
- Influence at the highest levels in a business committed to customer trust, digital growth, and operational excellence.
- Work in a supportive, values-led culture with significant backing for innovation and capability building.
Ready to define the security agenda for one of the UK’s most recognisable brands? Apply now or contact us for a confidential discussion.
Group Head of Information & Cyber Security employer: MRJ Recruitment
Contact Detail:
MRJ Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Head of Information & Cyber Security
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the cybersecurity field, especially those who have experience in retail or e-commerce. Attend industry conferences and events to meet potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends and challenges in the sector.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific regulatory frameworks mentioned in the job description, such as GDPR and PCI-DSS. Understanding these regulations will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to compliance and risk management.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully built and led high-performing security teams in the past. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've inspired and mentored team members to achieve their best work.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the company's digital transformation initiatives and be prepared to discuss how you can align the cybersecurity strategy with their business goals. Showing that you understand their vision will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Group Head of Information & Cyber Security
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in information and cyber security, particularly in customer-facing organisations. Emphasise your leadership roles and any relevant achievements in digital transformation.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for cybersecurity and how your vision aligns with the company's goals. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to lead a high-performing security team and engage with board-level stakeholders.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly list any relevant qualifications such as CISSP, CISM, or CRISC in your application. These credentials are highly desirable for this role and will strengthen your application.
Showcase Strategic Thinking: Use examples from your past experiences to illustrate your strategic thinking and ability to drive change in complex environments. This is crucial for a role that requires influencing at the highest levels of the organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at MRJ Recruitment
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the company's digital transformation journey and how cybersecurity fits into their overall strategy. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals in e-commerce, supply chain, and physical retail.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Highlight your experience in leading large security teams and driving change in complex environments. Prepare examples of how you've inspired and mentored teams, particularly in high-pressure situations.
✨Demonstrate Technical Expertise
Be ready to discuss your technical knowledge in areas such as cloud security, identity management, and regulatory compliance. Use specific examples from your past roles to illustrate your understanding of security architecture and risk management.
✨Engage with Board-Level Insights
Prepare to articulate how you would advise the Board on cyber risks and trends. Think about how you can communicate complex security concepts in a way that resonates with non-technical stakeholders, showcasing your strategic thinking.