Cyber Security Manager in Watford

Cyber Security Manager

Location: London, Hybrid (3 days onsite / 2 days WFH)

Contract: Permanent

Our client, a major UK local authority, is seeking an experienced Cyber Security Manager to lead its cyber‑resilience strategy and protect the systems and data that support essential public services. This key leadership role oversees cyber security governance, incident response, regulatory compliance (PSN, PCI‑DSS, Cyber Essentials Plus), and the secure operation of cloud and hybrid environments. You will work closely with senior stakeholders, outsourced partners, and internal teams to embed security by design across all ICT services.

Responsibilities

• Lead the local authority\’s cyber security framework, policies, and standards
• Own vulnerability management, security monitoring, and incident response
• Ensure compliance with NCSC, PSN, PCI‑DSS, GDPR and other national frameworks
• Manage SIEM, Microsoft security tooling (Sentinel/Defender/E5), identity & access, firewalls, and endpoint protection
• Advise on secure design for projects and change governance
• Prepare annual compliance submissions and liaise with accreditation bodies
• Promote cyber awareness and support organisation‑wide training
• Manage a small team and a £50k security budget

Qualifications

• Proven cyber security leadership in public sector, regulated, or large‑scale enterprise environments
• Strong knowledge of NCSC, PSN, PCI‑DSS, GDPR, Cyber Essentials Plus
• Hands‑on experience with Microsoft Sentinel, Defender, E5 security, and ideally Copilot for Security
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and analytical skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a complex, high‑demand organisation
• Professional cybersecurity qualifications (CISM, CISSP, ISO27001, etc.) are desirable but not essential

Why Apply

You’ll take a pivotal role in strengthening cyber resilience for a large, diverse public‑sector organisation with hybrid working and a supportive, collaborative environment.

Apply now to join our client as their Cyber Security Manager and make a meaningful impact.