Head of Security Architecture

Job Title: Head of Security Architecture

Salary: The starting salary is £86,485, which includes allowances totalling £2,841.

The salary is broken down as £83,644 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £92,192. Plus, a location allowance of £1,841 and a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000.

Location: The primary Met Location for this role is Bow. Travel across the Met estate, to attend meetings as required by the business, is expected.

Policing London is a hugely complex challenge that evolves every day. To make sure the Met is up to the task, we need the right IT and systems across our organisation. As a Head of Security Architecture, you will help to enable us to do our best for the London area. Join us and play your part in making London the safest capital in the world and delivering ‘More Trust, Less Crime and High Standards’.

As a member of the Met, you will also enjoy great benefits including annual leave, civil service pension arrangements, maternity/paternity support, as well as being part of a continuous leaning culture.

Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT)

DDaT provides the Met with information and communications technology (ICT) and digital and data services to help frontline officers and staff do their jobs more efficiently, keeping up to speed with developments in technology and make recommendations for new equipment and systems that will help modernise policing.

The Commissioner and Management Board have determined that the Met will be a data driven organisation. This means treating our data in the same way we treat our people, methods, and technology, as a strategic asset.

The Data Office is the single place of accountability across the Met that:

Owns and drives the data compliance and analytics agenda.
Brings together the accountabilities that are currently dispersed across the Met business areas.
Consolidates and further develops existing Met data and insight services.
Enables data sharing and collaboration to serve the public and external partners.

DDaT is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We support hybrid working, and the Hiring Manager will be happy to discuss arrangements for this role.

Job Purpose

This role leads the vision and strategy for Security Architecture within the Met such that:

Police officers and staff have access to the business services and can deliver their roles in a digitally enabled police force.
The Met and public are confident that the integrity and confidentiality of policing data is maintained in a demanding environment.
Digital Policing can define and deploy new services, systems and technologies while maintaining a strong security stance.

Working in support of the Head of Cyber Security, the Head of Security Architecture will assist in the definition and evolution of the Security strategy to deliver the Met Technology Strategy 2020-25.

This will cover at least:

Leading the definition of security requirements and design as part of a strength-in-depth approach to solution design with data-, application- and infrastructure architecture.
Leading the definition of cyber security patterns, policies, and standards to shape solution design.
Deep understanding of security concepts and apply them at a technical level.
Leading the evolution of security automation and tooling for the Met.
Leading design of solutions operating at document marking above Official.
Leading the adoption of new approaches to cyber security.
Speaking for Security Architecture in technology governance.
Working with national policing and central government agencies on wider cyber security initiatives and challenges.

The Head of Security Architecture will lead the technical direction of projects and programmes to deliver new applications and changes to existing services by both direct involvement and by managing work commissioned from suppliers.

The Head of Security Architecture will engage with the whole Enterprise Architecture team to provide consistent design and design governance, with accountability under the Head of Cyber Security.

The post-holder will deliver the security architecture workload with the support of contract security architects within a managed service. They will commission Statements of Work (SOWs) and assure their delivery.

Key Role Responsibilities

The post-holder’s primary working relationship will be with the Head of Cyber Security, who holds responsibility for cyber security strategy and policy within the Met.
The post holder will work daily with the heads of other architecture domains, enterprise architects and solution architects to ensure a security-in-depth approach across Met enterprise.
The post-holder will be in weekly contact with stakeholders in Solution Delivery and Service Delivery regarding cyber-security risks and enhancements within existing and new business services.
The post-holder will work with the OSM (Operational Security Manager) to support the Security Assurance approach to suppliers.
The post-holder will work with the Cyber Security Risk Analysts in shaping the Threat and Risk patterns to be used within the Met.
Attend and run architecture and security governance boards as required.
Occasional but frequent meetings with Business Engagement Managers to advise on Cyber Security within projects and proposals.

Additional Information

Vetting Clearance Level

For this role the Vetting Clearance is Force Clearance Level, Management Vetting (MV), and National Security Vetting (NSV) Level, Security Check (SC).

Hybrid Working

Hybrid Working available in line with the MPS Hybrid Working Policy.

Vetting

This post requires access to the most sensitive intelligence material on a daily basis. Applicants must hold or be prepared to undergo National Security Vetting (NSV) Security Check (enhanced) (SC(e)) level before taking up the post; with a willingness to undergo Developed Vetting (DV) once in post, if required.

Additionally, this material is of particular sensitivity to the UK and its distribution must be restricted to UK nationals. In approved circumstances dual nationals (of which one element is British) may also be granted access. However, in the event that potential conflicts of interest cannot be managed the post holder will not be able to see the intelligence material and will not be able to perform their duties. For the purpose of safeguarding national security and in line with Cabinet Office Policy, supported by Section 82(2) to (4) of the Police Reform Act (2002), applicants who do not hold or acquire Security Check (enhanced) (SC(e)) OR Developed Vetting (DV) clearance and meet the nationality requirements cannot be offered the post.

How to apply

Click the apply now button below and start your career at the Met. Applications will be via a detailed CV, Personal Statement, and online application form. Your personal statement (1000 words maximum) should outline why you are interested in the role and how your skills and experience demonstrate your suitability for the role. (NB. Please do not attach 2 copies of your CV).

Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 25th November 2024.

Once received, your application will be reviewed against eligibility criteria, following this, your application will be reviewed by the hiring manager. The application review for this vacancy will commence 25th of November.

Following application review, successful candidates will be invited to interview. Interview dates will commence 9th of December.

www.metpolicecareers.co.uk