At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the charge in enhancing our cyber resilience and security controls.
- Company: Join World of Books Group, a certified B Corp and leader in pre-loved books.
- Benefits: Enjoy remote/hybrid work, flexible hours, and a modern toolchain.
- Other info: Be part of a high-trust team where you set your own direction.
- Why this job: Shape the future of security in a mission-driven company with real impact.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in security engineering with hands-on experience in cloud security and identity management.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
This is a role for someone who wants to shape rather than maintain.
World of Books Group is a certified B Corp and one of the world's largest sellers of pre-loved books, operating across the UK, US, and Hungary. Our technology estate spans cloud platforms, e-commerce marketplaces, in-house engineering, and a broad SaaS footprint — and we're looking for the person who will make it safer.
As Lead Security Engineer, you'll design, build, and operate the controls that underpin our cyber resilience programme. You'll report directly to the Group Information Security Manager and work with real autonomy — shaping the roadmap, choosing the tools, and driving the engineering work that moves our security maturity forward. This is a genuinely hands-on role. You'll treat AI and automation as force multipliers, influence across IT, Engineering, Product, and Finance without holding formal authority, and leave decisions documented in a way that outlasts individuals.
What You'll Focus On
- Asset and Application Visibility: establishing continuous, automated discovery and ownership of our hardware, software, cloud, and SaaS estate
- Zero Trust Enforcement: identity-aware access controls across remote and internal services
- Data Loss Prevention: phased DLP coverage against our highest-risk data flows
- Identity Lifecycle: strengthening JML processes in Entra ID and key SaaS platforms
Your wider remit will grow to include detection engineering, vulnerability management, AI security governance, third-party risk, and security tooling strategy — you'll help set the sequence.
What We're Looking For
- 5+ years in security engineering or architecture, with clear progression in technical depth
- Hands-on delivery across at least three of: cloud security (GCP/AWS), identity and access management (Entra ID), SIEM and detection engineering, DLP, zero trust
- Sound judgment under uncertainty — you can make and defend security decisions with incomplete data
- Practical AI and automation fluency — you use it habitually to multiply your impact
- A track record of influencing engineering, product, and leadership stakeholders
- Comfortable in a small, high-trust team where you set your own direction
Nice to have
- Experience with Rapid7 InsightVM / InsightIDR, SentinelOne, Cloudflare, OneTrust, Microsoft Purview, or KnowBe4
- Background in e-commerce, marketplace, or retail technology
- Familiarity with NIST CSF, ISO 27001, OWASP LLM Top 10, or similar frameworks
What We Offer
- Remote / hybrid working, UK-based, with flexible London office presence
- A clear mandate to drive change — not maintain the status quo
- A modern toolchain: Rapid7 (MDR), SentinelOne, OneTrust, and AI tooling at org level
- A business with genuine mission — B Corp certified, sustainability-led, and growing
What Success Looks Like in Year One
- A current, trusted view of the full asset and application estate with clear ownership
- A progressing zero trust enforcement capability, with measurable reduction in implicit-trust paths
- Meaningful reduction in manual audit effort across security controls
- Trusted cross-functional relationships — you're seen as someone who unblocks, not gates
Sound like you? We'd love to hear from you.
Lead Security Engineer in Coventry employer: World of Books
World of Books Group is an exceptional employer that empowers its employees to shape the future of security within a dynamic and mission-driven environment. With a commitment to sustainability as a certified B Corp, we offer flexible remote and hybrid working options, a modern toolchain, and a culture that values innovation and collaboration. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying opportunities for professional growth in a supportive, high-trust team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Security Engineer in Coventry
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects and achievements in security engineering. This gives potential employers a tangible look at what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common security scenarios and case studies. Be ready to discuss how you would tackle real-world problems, especially those related to zero trust and data loss prevention.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our mission-driven team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Security Engineer in Coventry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Lead Security Engineer role. Highlight your experience in security engineering, especially in areas like cloud security and identity management. We want to see how your skills align with our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about shaping security rather than just maintaining it. Share specific examples of how you've influenced teams and driven change in previous roles.
Showcase Your Hands-On Experience:We love candidates who can get their hands dirty! In your application, emphasise any practical experience you have with tools like Rapid7 or SentinelOne. Let us know how you've used AI and automation to enhance security measures.
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, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
How to prepare for a job interview at World of Books
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your security engineering knowledge, especially around cloud security and zero trust principles. Be ready to discuss specific tools and frameworks like NIST CSF or ISO 27001, as well as your hands-on experience with them.
✨Showcase Your Influence
Prepare examples of how you've influenced stakeholders in previous roles. This could be through cross-functional projects or initiatives where you had to persuade others without formal authority. Highlight your ability to build trusted relationships.
✨Be Hands-On
Since this role is genuinely hands-on, be prepared to talk about your practical experience. Discuss specific projects where you designed or implemented security controls, and how you used AI and automation to enhance your impact.
✨Think Like a Leader
Even though you might not have formal authority, demonstrate your leadership mindset. Talk about how you approach decision-making under uncertainty and how you document decisions to ensure continuity. This will show that you're ready to shape the future of security at World of Books Group.
