Technology and Cyber Security Manager in Grays

This role sits within the ICT and Digital Team in the Corporate Services Directorate. This is a newly structured team responsible for supporting and enabling the Council to deliver modern services through resilient technology infrastructure and a wide range of digital applications which are constantly being developed and improved as digital innovations emerge. The team works collaboratively across Council services, providing digital services to residents and service users whilst ensuring colleagues have the devices and access to systems to keep services running and continually improving.

As Technology & Cyber Security Manager, you will play a central role in delivering the Council's strategic objectives by managing the Technology and Cyber Security Team and operations. Ensuring the team work effectively together to provide and maintain the technology infrastructure for the business requirements of the Council.

As a Technology & Cyber Security Manager, you will be responsible for:

• The core and underpinning technology infrastructure components and platforms.
• The ownership of technology and cyber security infrastructure problems through to final resolution.
• The line management for a team of technical specialists and be a point of primary authority, responsibility and accountability for all matters pertaining to technology infrastructure or cloud services.
• The organisation, execution, planning and administration of the technology and cyber security function within the organisation and the continuous improvement and development of operational processes, procedures, and guidelines, ensuring they are fit for purpose, current, being adhered to and correctly implemented.
• Proper operating procedures being in place to ensure service quality, ITIL adherence, is maintained, reported on and continuous improvements are identified and implemented.
• Providing leadership and assurance in Cyber Security, working closely with IT colleagues to ensure that the council remains strongly protected against both internal and external threats.
• To manage the Security Operations Centre (SOC) and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) supplier.
• Leading organisational security awareness and ensuring training programs for staff to promote a culture of cybersecurity across the Council.

What We're Looking For:

• Excellent knowledge of infrastructure components, operating systems and data centre environments in a local authority setting and the security solutions that protect them.
• Demonstrable experience of adhering to and implementing IT strategies with strong supplier management skills that ensure resilient provisions.
• Significant experience of managing large, virtualised technology environments.
• Demonstrated experience of successfully managing and developing a Technology Infrastructure team.
• Detailed knowledge of the cyber security requirements in a large and complex organisation.
• The ability to handle current and emerging cyber threats and countermeasures and the organisational challenges to addressing these threats.
• The ability to manage high stakeholder expectations and explain the trade-offs between security and accessibility, always making sure our services are user-centred.

Essential Qualifications:

• Achieved or working towards ITIL and wider architectural standards.
• DBS Check: At Basic Level is required for this post.

Benefits of Working with Us:

• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable).
• Ongoing training and professional development.
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
• Staff discounts and local offers.
• A supportive and inclusive working environment.

Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 26th March 2026

Closing Date (Internal & External): 12th April 2026

Interview Date: Week Commencing 20th April 2026

If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact: Paul Day Interim Chief Digital Officer paul.day@thurrock.gov.uk | 01375 652856

About us:

Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve. Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead. This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.

Our location: Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents. We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes. Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.

Staff benefits: We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification. We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.