Security Operations Manager in Milton Keynes

Security Operations Manager in Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes Full-Time 81000 - 86000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
National House Building Council

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team to protect our tech estate and respond to cyber threats.
  • Company: Join NHBC, a leader in home warranties and insurance.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 27 days leave, enhanced pension, and flexible working options.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and career growth.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of cyber security and make a real impact.
  • Qualifications: Experience in security operations and strong technical skills required.

The predicted salary is between 81000 - 86000 £ per year.

At NHBC, cyber security is fundamental to maintaining the trust of our customers and ensuring the resilience of our business. As our Security Operations Manager, you'll play a critical leadership role in protecting our technology estate, strengthening our cyber defences and ensuring we're ready to respond to an ever-changing threat landscape. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced operational security professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment.

You'll lead a team of Security Analysts, oversee critical security technologies, drive continuous improvement and work closely with colleagues across technology, the business and third-party partners to keep our organisation secure. If you're passionate about modern cyber defence, enjoy solving complex security challenges and want to influence how security is delivered across a large organisation, we'd love to hear from you.

What you'll be doing

  • Leading and developing a high-performing team of Security Analysts, ensuring effective threat monitoring, investigation and incident response across NHBC's environments.
  • Managing relationships with our Security Operations Centre (SOC), internal technology teams and third-party suppliers to ensure rapid detection, escalation and remediation of security events.
  • Driving our threat monitoring capability, identifying emerging risks that could impact our business, customers or reputation.
  • Overseeing vulnerability management across on-premise and cloud environments, ensuring weaknesses are identified, prioritised and remediated effectively.
  • Developing and continually improving security incident response processes, including cyber incident and data breach response.
  • Managing penetration testing activities to provide assurance over live services and significant technology changes.
  • Working with infrastructure, engineering and architecture teams to embed secure-by-design principles, cloud security and secure configuration standards.
  • Overseeing Data Loss Prevention (DLP) investigations and partnering with business teams to manage potential information security incidents.
  • Managing and optimising key security technologies, including Microsoft Defender, Sentinel, Purview, XDR, email and web security platforms, phishing simulation tools and other operational security controls.
  • Leveraging automation and AI to enhance threat detection, streamline investigations and improve response times.
  • Producing meaningful operational metrics, KPIs and KRIs that provide insight into security performance and support informed decision-making.
  • Building strong partnerships with suppliers and service providers to ensure the highest standards of security service delivery.

What we’re looking for

  • Experience leading security operations teams within hybrid or outsourced environments.
  • Strong technical expertise across modern security tooling, including Microsoft Defender, Microsoft E5 Security, Sentinel, AWS, Azure, Purview, SIEM, XDR/EDR, CSPM and vulnerability management platforms.
  • Experience leading technical incident response, problem management and security investigations.
  • A solid understanding of enterprise, network, cloud and SaaS/IaaS security.
  • Experience embedding security operations into engineering, infrastructure and service management practices.
  • Strong knowledge of identity and access management, security automation and scripting.
  • An understanding of AI security concepts and the practical use of AI to strengthen cyber defence.
  • Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Experience managing third-party suppliers and outsourced security services.
  • Professional certifications such as CISSP, CISM, GIAC or equivalent, alongside relevant Microsoft, AWS or cloud certifications.

Why join NHBC?

This is an opportunity to shape the future of operational cyber security within a respected national organisation. You'll have the autonomy to improve security operations, introduce modern technologies and automation, develop talented people and influence security strategy across the business. You'll join a collaborative and supportive team where innovation is encouraged, continuous improvement is valued and your expertise will make a genuine difference to the resilience of our organisation.

If you're ready to lead from the front, embrace new technologies and help defend NHBC against today's cyber threats and tomorrow's, we'd love to hear from you.

What we offer

  • 27 days annual leave + bank holidays
  • Holiday purchase scheme
  • Enhanced pension scheme (up to 10.5%)
  • Life assurance
  • Subsidised private medical insurance
  • Employee discounts platform
  • Two days volunteer leave
  • Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption leave and pay for all new parents + many more!

Who we are

At NHBC, we pride ourselves on being truly unique. No other organisation in our sector matches the range of services and scale we provide. As the market leader, we are recognised as the go-to for new home warranties and insurance. Our team is united by a core purpose: to raise the standards of house building and protect homeowners.

Why you should join us

As a modern, family-friendly employer, we’re in a phase of rapid growth, embracing technology, data and new ways of working. We’re seeking passionate, skilled and driven individuals to join us on this exciting journey. Once onboard, you’ll have access to fantastic opportunities for personal and career growth. You’ll receive thorough training, continuous development and the chance to earn recognised qualifications and professional memberships to support your journey.

We support flexible working and encourage our colleagues to find a balance that suits them. While we may not be able to accommodate every request, we’re always happy to have a conversation about flexible working arrangements.

Our inclusive culture

We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive culture where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We firmly believe in the right of all our employees and customers to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect, and free from discrimination. Our active employee networks support colleagues and their allies, providing safe spaces for open conversations and idea-sharing. We are a Disability Confident organisation committed to fair and inclusive recruitment. Our first step is to review applications to ensure candidates meet the essential criteria for the role. We assess skills, experience, and potential objectively, and provide support or reasonable adjustments where needed. Candidates who meet the criteria will progress to the next stage.

Security Operations Manager in Milton Keynes employer: National House Building Council

At NHBC, we are proud to be a modern, family-friendly employer located in Milton Keynes, offering a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our comprehensive training programmes and opportunities for professional development, alongside a generous benefits package that includes enhanced leave options and a strong pension scheme. Join us to be part of a collaborative and inclusive culture where your contributions are valued and you can make a meaningful impact in the building industry.

National House Building Council

Contact Details:

National House Building Council Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Security Operations Manager in Milton Keynes

Get Involved in the Cybersecurity Community

Diving into the cybersecurity community is key for landing that full-time gig. Join forums like Reddit's r/cybersecurity or attend local meetups to connect with industry veterans and other job seekers. Networking is everything in this field—don’t just be a passive lurker!

Show Off Your Skills with Capture the Flag Competitions

Participate in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions; these are not just a fun way to boost your skills but also a chance to showcase your talent to potential employers. Many companies, including National House Building Council, love seeing candidates who actively engage in these challenges.

Tailor Your Online Presence

Make sure your LinkedIn and any professional profiles reflect your cybersecurity expertise. Share your projects, whether they’re personal or from a previous role, to catch the eye of hiring managers. This is how they’ll find your passion and commitment to the field!

Apply Directly Through National House Building Council

Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at National House Building Council. Applying directly can sometimes give you an edge, especially if you can mention that you've been following our work or engaging in the community.

We think you need these skills to ace Security Operations Manager in Milton Keynes

Leadership Skills
Cyber Security Expertise
Threat Monitoring
Incident Response Management
Vulnerability Management
Technical Incident Response
Cloud Security

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show off your technical skills:In cybersecurity, it's crucial to highlight your technical prowess. Make sure your CV showcases specific skills like network security, penetration testing, or threat analysis. If you have relevant certifications (like CEH or CISSP), pop those on the front page to grab attention!

Tailor your portfolio for the role:Even for a full-time role, a portfolio can set you apart. If you've worked on any cybersecurity projects—be it CTF challenges, security assessments, or research papers—include these in your application. This demonstrates not just your skills, but also your hands-on experience!

Use real-world examples:When writing your cover letter, don’t just stick to your qualifications. Share real-world examples of how you’ve tackled security issues or vulnerabilities. This gives the hiring team at National House Building Council insight into your practical problem-solving abilities and makes your application memorable.

Demonstrate your passion for cybersecurity:Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, so show us that you’re always learning! Mention any recent courses, webinars, or industry events you’ve attended. This not only exhibits your enthusiasm but also signals to National House Building Council that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.

How to prepare for a job interview at National House Building Council

Sharpen Your Technical Skills

For a role in cybersecurity, it’s essential to be up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques. Brush up on your knowledge of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and vulnerability assessment tools. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you’ve applied these skills, as hands-on experience can really set us apart in interviews.

Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect the interviewers at National House Building Council to throw in some hypothetical situations to see how you’d handle them. Think about common security breaches or incidents and be prepared to explain how you would respond. This not only shows your problem-solving skills but also your understanding of real-world cybersecurity challenges.

Highlight Your Certifications

Certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CEH can give you a significant edge in a full-time role in cybersecurity. Make sure to mention these during your interview and be prepared to discuss what you learned through those certifications and how they relate to the position at National House Building Council.

Show Your Passion for Cybersecurity

Since you’re going for a full-time gig, showing genuine enthusiasm for the field can make all the difference. Share any personal projects, blogs, or communities you’re part of that relate to cybersecurity. This not only showcases your passion but also your commitment to staying engaged in this ever-evolving field.