At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse and respond to cyber security events, collaborating with teams to enhance security measures.
- Company: Join Virgin Money, a forward-thinking bank committed to making a positive societal impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, and a competitive pension plan.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in cyber security while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in Cyber Security or IT roles, with strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Other info: Flexible working options and opportunities for career progression await you!
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 36000 £ per year.
Overview
Business Unit: Chief Operating Office
Salary Range: £28,800 - £36,000 per annum DOE + shift allowance + benefits
Location: UK Hybrid with occasional travel to key hubs when required.
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: This role operates on a shift pattern of 3 days, 3 off, 3 nights, 3 off.
Our Team
This role sits within the Detect & Respond sub-team of the Group Security Operations Centre, under the Cyber Security tower in Security & Resilience. Working with the team you will be analysing and responding to security events as they surface, making initial judgements as to possible severity, seeking support and guidance where needed, and escalating or developing mitigation recommendations to help defend our systems and data. Your role will often require close collaboration with other parts of the business to help identify, enable, and drive the right investigation steps and response actions. The GSOC defends the whole of Nationwide and Virgin Money's estate, both Member-facing and support capabilities, requiring engagement and communication with both technical and non-technical teams across the business. You'll help mature our internal processes, developing or defining appropriate detection, response and containment capabilities as well as contributing to the GSOC Strategy. You will help shape our future technology direction, suggesting and assisting with innovative ways to combat contemporary cyber threats so we remain fit to find and confront malicious activity.
What you'll be doing
- You’ll be handling cyber security alerts from triage through to closure, making and evidencing high quality decisions and escalating where appropriate.
- There will be opportunities to play a supporting role in Incident Response activities to enable the prompt identification, investigation and mitigation of threats, acting across various roles and responsibilities to achieve cyber risk reduction in cloud, hybrid and on-premises environments.
- You’ll be expected to identify potential service improvements to enable GSOC Detect & Respond to operate more effectively and efficiently, providing feedback and taking ownership to deliver improvement activities where appropriate.
- Supporting BAU operational demands, including process/playbook development, use case review, and the collection and production of Management Information.
- This role will require you to work closely with other teams across S&R, TOCs and COO to drive positive security outcomes.
We need you to have
- Experience of working within a Cyber Security (e.g., SOC, Cyber Incident Response, Penetration Testing) or IT (e.g. Service Desk, Sysadmin) role.
- A problem-solving mindset, with the ability to use structured and analytical approaches.
- Demonstrable knowledge of basic IT concepts, including but not limited to Networking, Hardware, Operating Systems & Cloud Computing.
- Working knowledge of core Cyber Security concepts and tooling, and the ability to apply this understanding to investigations.
- The ability to build good working relationships with both technical and business stakeholders, gaining their respect and trust based on your knowledge and professionalism.
- The ability and desire to quickly learn new technologies.
It’s a bonus if you have but not essential
- CompTIA Security+ (or equivalent Defensive Security certification).
- CompTIA Network+ (or equivalent Networking certification).
- Certified Ethical Hacker (or equivalent Offensive Security certification).
- MS SC-200 (or equivalent Security Tooling certification).
Red Hot Rewards
- 25 days holiday per year, increasing over time to 30. Plus, an option to buy more, giving you even more choice.
- Private medical insurance.
- A highly competitive pension to help you build a strong foundation for retirement.
- Access to an annual performance-related bonus.
- Training and development to help you progress your career.
- A great selection of additional benefits through our flexible benefits scheme.
- Life assurance to provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
- Up to 2 days of paid volunteering a year.
If we’re lucky to receive a lot of interest, we may close the advert early. Please ensure to submit your applications as soon as possible.
Say hello to Virgin Money
Virgin Money is so much more than just a bank. As part of the Nationwide group, together we’re the UK’s first full-service mutual bank serving millions of retail and business customers and all driven by our purpose; Banking but fairer, more rewarding and for the good of society. With us, you’ll be part of an organisation uniquely positioned to make a difference to the lives of customers, communities and broader society and embark on a collaborative, customer obsessed, and fun-filled career journey. Embrace the weekdays, enjoy fantastic perks, and make a meaningful positive difference.
Be yourself at Virgin Money
At Virgin Money, we celebrate everyone. We have fun, think big, and relentlessly include each other, all in pursuit of our purpose: Banking - but fairer, more rewarding, and for the good of society. We’re committed to creating an inclusive culture where colleagues feel safe and inspired to contribute, speak up and be heard. As a Disability Confident Leader, we’re committed to removing any obstacles to inclusion. If you need any reasonable adjustments or support making your application, contact our Talent Acquisition team careers@virginmoney.com.
Please note: If we receive a high volume of eligible applications, we may need to prioritise candidates whose skills and experience most closely align with the role, while still ensuring fair and equitable consideration for all applicants.
Now the legal bit
We’re in the process of bringing Virgin Money and Nationwide together which, subject to Court approval, will happen on 2 April 2026. You can find out more about what this means at https://uk.virginmoney.com/nationwide-transfer. If you’re successful in securing a role with us, your employment will move automatically to Nationwide when this transfer goes ahead. Although some of our roles allow you to be based anywhere in the UK, we’ll need you to confirm you have the right to work in the UK. If you’re successful in securing a role with us, there are some checks you need to complete before starting. These include credit and criminal record checks and three years’ worth of satisfactory references. If the role is part of the Senior Manager Regime and Certification Regime, it requires enhanced pre-employment checks - we’ll ask for six years of regulatory references, and once in the role, you’ll be subject to periodic employment checks.
Advertised: 05 Feb 2026 GMT Standard Time
Applications close: 19 Feb 2026 GMT Standard Time
SOC Analyst employer: Virgin Money UK
Contact Detail:
Virgin Money UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land SOC Analyst
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current SOC Analysts or professionals in the Cyber Security field on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing a role like this. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical knowledge. Make sure you can discuss core Cyber Security concepts confidently. We recommend practising common interview questions related to incident response and security events, so you’re ready to impress!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. This will demonstrate your analytical mindset and ability to handle real-world security issues.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Virgin Money. Get your application in early, as we might close the advert sooner than expected!
We think you need these skills to ace SOC Analyst
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the SOC Analyst role. Highlight your experience in Cyber Security and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how you can contribute to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about Cyber Security and how your background makes you a great fit for the role. Keep it engaging and personal, so we get a sense of who you are.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, give examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. We love candidates who can think critically and come up with innovative solutions, especially in fast-paced environments like ours.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised on our end.
How to prepare for a job interview at Virgin Money UK
✨Know Your Cyber Security Basics
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of core cyber security concepts and tools. Be ready to discuss how you've applied this understanding in past roles, especially in SOC or incident response scenarios. This will show that you can hit the ground running!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled complex problems in previous jobs. Use structured and analytical approaches to demonstrate your thought process. This is crucial for a SOC Analyst role where quick decision-making is key.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Since you'll be collaborating with both technical and non-technical teams, practice building good working relationships during the interview. Show your interpersonal skills and how you can gain respect and trust from colleagues.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Improvements
Think about potential service improvements you've identified in past roles. Be prepared to share ideas on how you could enhance the GSOC Detect & Respond operations. This shows initiative and a proactive mindset, which are highly valued in this position.