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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic SOC Engineering team and drive technical delivery for security operations.
- Company: Join a high-performing Security Operations Centre with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cybersecurity while leading a talented team.
- Qualifications: Experience in security engineering and strong hands-on skills with Microsoft Sentinel.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with clear career progression and leadership opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
This role leads the Security Engineering function within a high‑performing Security Operations Centre. It is a pivotal leadership position responsible for onboarding delivery, platform engineering, detection optimisation and technical transition into live SOC services. The team is technically strong. What it needs is structure, prioritisation and consistent leadership. You will bring clarity, accountability and calm while remaining technically credible and hands‑on. This is not a pure management role. You must be able to lead from the front.
The Role
- Lead and schedule the SOC Engineering team across onboarding and live service activity
- Own technical delivery during customer onboarding and transition
- Oversee Sentinel connector deployment, Defender integration, rule tuning and SOAR playbooks
- Ensure structured service handover into SOC operations with clear documentation
- Act as escalation point for complex engineering issues in live environments
- Maintain SLA adherence and platform health
- Improve detection logic, automation and enrichment capability
- Drive engineering standards, reporting clarity and workload discipline
- Coach and develop junior engineers
- Maintain technical authority across Microsoft Sentinel, Defender suite, Entra ID and Azure security architecture
What Success Looks Like
- Onboarding delivered on time with validated integrations
- Clean handover into SOC with documented runbooks
- Improved automation and measurable SOC efficiency gains
- A structured, aligned engineering team with clear ownership
Essential Experience
- Experience leading a Security Engineering team within an MSP, MSSP or SOC environment
- Strong hands‑on expertise with Microsoft Sentinel and Defender XDR
- Deep understanding of Azure security architecture and ingestion strategy
- Proven experience configuring connectors and tuning detection rules
- Experience with SOAR platforms
- Strong KQL capability
- Ability to manage competing priorities in fast‑paced environments
- Experience managing ingestion costs or cloud service optimisation
- Confident customer communication
Desirable
- Integration experience (Mimecast, Darktrace, legacy EDR platforms)
- ITIL exposure (change and incident management)
- Google Cloud or AWS knowledge
- Microsoft security certifications GIAC, CISSP, CYSA+ or equivalent
Leadership Profile
- Structured and operationally disciplined
- Calm under pressure
- Comfortable holding accountability
- Technically credible with engineers
- Clear and direct with customers
- Focused on outcomes, not activity
This role will not suit someone who prefers individual contribution without people leadership responsibility.
SOC Manager in Manchester employer: Symmetric Recruitment Ltd
Contact Detail:
Symmetric Recruitment Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land SOC Manager in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work in SOCs or have experience with Microsoft Sentinel and Defender. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got hands-on experience with Azure security architecture or SOAR platforms, make sure to highlight that in conversations. Consider setting up a demo or sharing a project you’ve worked on to demonstrate your technical credibility.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your leadership style. Since this role requires leading from the front, think of examples where you've successfully managed teams or projects under pressure. Be ready to discuss how you maintain calm and structure in fast-paced environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals who can bring clarity and accountability to our team. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves.
We think you need these skills to ace SOC Manager in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Technical Credibility: Make sure to highlight your hands-on experience with Microsoft Sentinel and Defender in your application. We want to see that you can lead from the front, so don’t shy away from showcasing your technical skills and any relevant projects you've worked on.
Demonstrate Leadership Experience: Since this role is all about leading a strong team, share examples of how you've successfully managed or coached engineers in the past. We’re looking for clarity and accountability, so let us know how you’ve brought structure to your previous teams.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear documentation and structured language to reflect the same clarity we expect in the role. This will show us that you can maintain SLA adherence and platform health effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Symmetric Recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Microsoft Sentinel, Defender, and Azure security architecture. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with these tools, as well as any specific projects where you've configured connectors or tuned detection rules.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires a strong leader who can maintain calm under pressure. Prepare examples of how you've led teams in the past, especially in fast-paced environments. Highlight your ability to structure teams and prioritise tasks effectively.
✨Prepare for Technical Scenarios
Expect to face technical questions or scenarios during the interview. Think about complex engineering issues you've resolved in live environments and be ready to explain your thought process and the steps you took to achieve a solution.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
As this role involves customer communication, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Be direct and focused on outcomes when discussing your previous experiences, ensuring you convey your technical credibility and leadership capabilities.