At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead security engineering and build robust security capabilities from the ground up.
- Company: Join Smarkets, a pioneering prediction market exchange transforming sports betting.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, stock options, private health insurance, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Dynamic hybrid work environment with a focus on professional growth and team collaboration.
- Why this job: Be the first dedicated security hire and shape the future of security at Smarkets.
- Qualifications: Expertise in security engineering, DevSecOps, and cloud-native environments required.
The predicted salary is between 67500 - 82500 £ per year.
ABOUT SMARKETS
Smarkets is a prediction market exchange for sports and political trading, having handled over $50 billion in volume since 2010. We're upending sports betting with the fairest prices, the best technology, and a superior customer experience — powered by attracting great people and building a high-performance environment where they thrive. We're looking for an atypical candidate with strong regulated-business experience to support our growing CFTC business.
THE ROLE
This is our inaugural security hire, working alongside Infrastructure to protect the distributed, real-time systems behind our trading engine. You'll lead our information security programme across our core products and our DCM/DCO entities — a founding build, standing up security engineering from the ground up through go-live and maturing it as we scale. Reporting directly to senior leadership and the Board, you'll own security posture updates and ensure our risk management and incident response frameworks exceed regulatory and operational standards.
ABOUT YOU
- Security expert with hands-on experience building security engineering/DevSecOps capabilities in a cloud-native, high-growth environment — ideally financial services or exchange infrastructure
- Excellent communication skills for executive, board, and regulatory audiences
- Familiarity with CFTC system safeguards expectations, including 17 C.F.R. § 38.1051 and § 39.18 or similar regulatory requirements
- Strong grasp of application security principles (OWASP Top 10, NIST) and secure SDLC practices
- Proficiency with CI/CD tooling (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins, Azure DevOps, CircleCI) and security tools (Snyk, Aqua, Trivy, Checkov, Twistlock, Clair)
- Hands-on expertise securing AWS/Azure/GCP, Kubernetes, containers, and IaC
- Proficiency in Python, Bash, Go, or similar
RESPONSIBILITIES
- First dedicated security engineering hire, working from within Infrastructure and Engineering teams to establish and evolve Smarkets' security capabilities
- Own regulatory/industry engagement (including CFTC), reflecting external expectations in internal practice
- Define a pragmatic, risk-based security strategy across cloud infrastructure, applications, trading systems, and corporate environment
- Lead or support the investigation, containment and remediation of security incidents, including post-incident root cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Work with Engineering teams to build security into the SDLC — SAST, DAST, SCA, container/IaC scanning in CI/CD — without becoming a delivery bottleneck
- Implement controls across AWS, Kubernetes, containers, and IaC, hardening identity, secrets, and network access
- Establish security monitoring and detection across applications, APIs, and infrastructure
- Develop and maintain security policies, standards, and controls meeting DCM/DCO requirements
- Maintain evidence and documentation to support regulatory examinations and audits
- Act as a security partner to engineers, building a culture of ownership over security
DESIRABLE
- Personal interest in sports, exchanges, or trading
- Certifications: DSOP, CKS, CISSP, CCSP, CSSLP, or AWS/Azure/GCP Security Specialty
- Track record of security automation at scale in Agile/Scrum
- Direct experience with regulators/examiners on technology and system safeguards
- Familiarity with event contracts, prediction markets, or similar novel futures products under CFTC
OUR VALUES
- Push to win
- Make others better
- Give a shit
- Be a pro
- Bring the energy
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
- Competitive salary + stock options (4-year vesting)
- Private health insurance
- Pension (up to 6%)
- 1,000 annual education budget
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays (5 days carryover)
- Hybrid working, plus 20 remote days/year globally
- In-house chef, daily snacks and drinks
- Cycle to work scheme
Smarkets is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to equality, inclusion, and a welcoming environment for all.
Location: London
Employment Type: Full time
Location Type: Hybrid
Department: Tech
Head of Security Engineering (DevSecOps & CISO) employer: Smarkets
At Smarkets, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a high-performance culture where innovation and collaboration thrive. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our generous benefits package, including stock options, a robust pension scheme, and a £1,000 annual education budget, all designed to support your professional and personal development. Located in a dynamic environment, we offer flexible working arrangements and a vibrant team atmosphere, ensuring that your contributions are valued and celebrated as we shape the future of prediction markets together.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Security Engineering (DevSecOps & CISO)
✨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 Smarkets, 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 Smarkets
Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at Smarkets. 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 Head of Security Engineering (DevSecOps & CISO)
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 Smarkets 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 Smarkets that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.
How to prepare for a job interview at Smarkets
✨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 Smarkets 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 Smarkets.
✨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.
