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- Tasks: Lead security and resilience strategy for UKRI, protecting people and research.
- Company: Join UKRI, a leader in research and innovation with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the UK's research landscape while shaping security policies.
- Qualifications: Masters’ degree in security or resilience; experience in leading complex security initiatives.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic environment with a focus on continuous learning.
The predicted salary is between 94931 - 117800 £ per year.
Salary: £94,931- £117,800 per annum (dependent on skills and experience)
Hours: Full Time or Part Time (Minimum 0.8 FTE)
Contract Type: Open Ended, secondees and transfers welcome.
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire. Hybrid working available with regular office attendance and travel across UKRI offices.
Grade: UKRI X
Closing Date: Sunday February 8th 2026
Interview Date: W/c 9th March 2026 in person in our London office. Please note these dates may be subject to change.
Ready to shape the security and resilience of the UK’s research and innovation system?
About the Role
You will report to the Chief of Operational Delivery and provide senior, organisation-wide leadership on security and resilience for UKRI. You will shape how the organisation protects its people, research, infrastructure, and reputation. Working at the centre of an organisation that supports research and innovation across the UK and internationally, you will set the strategic direction for embedding security and resilience across all councils and major programmes. You will bring clear, authoritative insight in a complex and evolving risk environment, enabling informed decision-making across UKRI. You will anticipate emerging challenges and strengthen organisational preparedness, helping UKRI prevent, withstand and respond effectively to incidents. Through this, you will safeguard the continuity and credibility of the UK’s research and innovation mission.
Key Responsibilities
- Defining and owning UKRI’s security and resilience strategy, policies and standards
- Acting as principal advisor to the CEO, Board and senior leadership, delivering timely, threat-informed guidance
- Building strong relationships across government, the UK intelligence community and the research sector to position UKRI as a trusted partner and thought leader
- Directing delivery of UKRI’s security and resilience programme, including the Security and Resilience Operating Centre (SROC)
- Overseeing budgets (circa £1.4 million annually plus £4 million change programme) and advising on wider organisational security spend
- Leading and developing the UKRI Security and Resilience profession, managing a central team of 13 staff and a wider community of practice
- Ensuring effective incident management, continuous professional development and alignment with cross-government security guidance
Person Specification
You will have significant and demonstrable experience of:
- Developing and delivering an impactful strategy that meets UK government requirements and is practical and achievable within the organisation
- Operational delivery across all security domains
- Leading in a complex and federated organisation
- Managing complex risks and issues in the context of security and resilience
- Directing and responding to complex security and resilience incidents
- Directing security and resilience within a large public sector organisation (ideally previous experience of being a senior security adviser (SSA) or equivalent)
- Engaging and influencing senior colleagues across a federated organisation and wider UK government
- Engaging with national technical authorities (NTA), Government Security Secretariat (GSecS) and UK intelligence community (UKIC) to achieve positive support and effective communication
Qualifications
- Hold a Masters’ Degree or equivalent experience in a security and resilience related discipline
- Hold relevant professional recognition such as being a Chartered Security Professional (CSyP) or equivalent experience.
Security
Due to the nature of this role, candidates must be eligible for UK security clearance and willing to undergo the vetting process prior to starting the role. The required level is Developed Vetting (DV). If you do not currently hold DV clearance, please ensure you meet the eligibility criteria as set out in the UK Government guidance before applying: DV - Guidance Pack for Applicants - GOV.UK
Benefits
We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees’ development and promote a culture of continuous learning!
A list of benefits below;
- An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme
- 30 days’ annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent)
- Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities
- Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice
- Flexible working options
Visit our dedicated benefits webpage for more info: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Director, Security & Resilience in Swindon employer: UK Research and Innovation
Contact Detail:
UK Research and Innovation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Security & Resilience in Swindon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the security and resilience field. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself to key players. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research UKRI’s current security challenges and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. We want you to walk in feeling confident and ready to showcase your expertise in shaping security strategies.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! In your conversations, highlight your experience in managing teams and directing security initiatives. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and lead, so make sure to share examples of how you’ve done this in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Security & Resilience in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in security and resilience. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experience and how it relates to the key responsibilities of the role. We appreciate clarity!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Director, you’ll need to demonstrate strong leadership capabilities. Share examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past, especially in complex environments. We’re looking for those standout moments!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our careers site! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at UK Research and Innovation
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in UKRI’s security and resilience strategy. Familiarise yourself with their current policies and any recent incidents they’ve faced. This will help you demonstrate your understanding of the role and how you can contribute to shaping their approach.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Director, you’ll need to lead a team and influence senior colleagues. Prepare examples of how you’ve successfully led teams or projects in the past, especially in complex environments. Highlight your ability to engage and build relationships across different sectors.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about potential security challenges UKRI might face and how you would address them. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about UKRI’s future security initiatives or how they measure success in their resilience strategies. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
