Job Specifications
About The Role
Head of Cyber Security – Lead the Mission to Protect Islington’s Public Services
Ready to make a real impact by defending public services from cyber threats? Islington Council is looking for a Head of Cyber Security – a strategic, inspiring leader passionate about safeguarding our community’s data and digital services. In this high-profile role, you’ll set the direction of our cyber security strategy and lead a talented team of experts to keep the council’s systems secure, resilient, and ready for the future. This is more than an IT job – it’s an opportunity to protect critical public services that thousands of residents rely on every day.
About the role: As our Head of Cyber Security, you’ll be the council’s go-to authority on all things cyber. You will advise senior leaders on emerging risks and best practices, ensuring we not only meet but exceed national cyber security standards and guidance. You’ll develop and enforce robust security policies, oversee governance and compliance, and champion a culture of vigilance across the organisation. From shaping long-term defence strategy to leading swift, effective responses to incidents, you’ll make sure Islington’s essential services and data are safe at all times. Importantly, you’ll coach and empower a dedicated cyber security team (and the wider organisation) to be proactive guardians of our digital environment. The impact of your work will be felt borough-wide – maintaining public trust and keeping vital services running securely.
About you: You’re an experienced cyber security professional who thrives on strategic challenges and big-picture thinking. You have a talent for leading people and projects, and you’re comfortable communicating complex cyber risks in plain language to everyone from technical teams to senior executives. You stay current with the latest threats and innovations, and you’re always looking for ways to improve and innovate. Just as crucially, you care about public service and understand the importance of protecting a diverse community through strong cyber defence. If you’re a natural collaborator who can inspire others and make sound decisions under pressure, this role will give you the platform to shine.
Our values and workplace: At Islington Council we live by our CARE values – Collaborative, Ambitious, Resourceful, Empowering. These values shape our work and our culture because we believe public service is all about caring . In practice, this means we work together as one team, we aim high to achieve the best for our residents, we find creative solutions with the resources we have, and we empower and trust our people at every level. As Head of Cyber Security, you’ll embody these values. You’ll collaborate with colleagues across the council, drive ambitious security improvements, use your expertise resourcefully to address complex threats, and empower every staff member to take cyber security seriously. We’re a friendly, inclusive workplace where new ideas are welcomed and everyone is driven by a shared purpose: to serve our community.
Working arrangements: We understand the importance of work-life balance. This role offers a hybrid workstyle – you can work remotely for much of the week, with at least one day in the office (Islington, London) to connect with your team and stakeholders face-to-face. We value flexibility as long as the job gets done. Please note that due to the sensitive nature of this position, the successful candidate will need to pass a Basic DBS check and BPSS security check. Also, this role is politically restricted, reflecting its high level of responsibility and the need to remain impartial in safeguarding public trust.
Why join us? This is a chance to lead a critical function at the heart of public service. You’ll have the freedom to set strategy, the resources to build a robust cyber defence, and the mandate to truly influence how we protect our borough in the digital age. Beyond the technical aspects, you’ll be joining a council that genuinely cares about its people. We offer ongoing professional development, the support of a committed leadership team, and the knowledge that your work directly contributes to the well-being of Islington’s residents.
Ready to apply? If you’re excited by this opportunity and believe you have the skills, experience, and drive to lead Islington’s cyber security, we’d love to hear from you. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds – your unique perspective and experience will strengthen our team and the community we serve. Join us in our mission to protect and empower Islington through technology. Apply today and help shape the future of cyber security in our borough. Together, we can keep Islington safe and secure for everyone.
For further information or for an informal conversation about the post, please contact:
Leila Ridley, AD - Information and Digital Governance
[email protected]
Note to Recruitment Agencies:
We kindly ask that rec
About the Company
Islington is an inner London borough, serving over 206,000 residents. We are determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here has an equal chance to thrive. Our priorities for achieving a more equal Islington are:
- Providing secure, decent, and genuinely affordable housing.
- Investing in local jobs and businesses.
- Working together to create a cleaner, greener, healthier borough.
- Nurturing our children and young people so everyone has the very best start.
- Standing with our communities so the...
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