Director, Global Research

Position Title: Director, Global Research 

Location: UK

What we are looking for in you -

As the Global Head of Research, you will report to the CTO and be instrumental in guiding NCC Group’s internal research strategy, fostering a culture of excellence across offensive and defensive capabilities, futures and horizon scanning, and collaboration with academia and industry partners. Your leadership will cultivate a research community that is collegiate, fun, and inclusive, setting challenges, providing mentorship, and enhancing soft skills among researchers

Key Accountabilities:

• Define and lead the research strategy alongside the regional research leads, aligning with business priorities across different sectors
• Responsible for production of NCC Group’s annual research report
• Engaging with our product management, threat intelligence and product innovation functions
• Encourage research engagement, building a collaborative and inclusive research community
• Liaise with global teams to align research with client issues and innovation goals
• Promote research outputs through various channels internally and externally, serving as the main point of contact and public face for NCC Group’s research
• Manage annual research budgets, ensuring effective allocation and utilisation

Functional and technical skills:

• Proven leadership abilities and excellent interpersonal skills
• Leading through influence in a matrix organisation
• The ability to work with different work cultures and styles
• Ability to quickly adapt, re-prioritize, and respond to evolving challenges
• Strong communication skills, both written and public speaking
• Experience in research delivery, with a background in cybersecurity preferred
• Ability to grasp research concepts across technologies and communicate them in a customer's context

Behaviours:

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and execute a long-term vision for the research function.
• Leadership: Proven ability to inspire and motivate teams to achieve exceptional results.
• Innovation: A passion for exploring new research methodologies and technologies.
• Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build effective partnerships across the organization.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex research findings to diverse audiences.
• Results Orientation: A strong focus on delivering actionable insights that drive business impact.
• Decision Making: Ability to make sound decisions based on data and analysis.

Our company –

At NCC Group, our mission is to create a more secure digital future. That mission underpins everything we do, from our work with our incredible clients to groundbreaking research shaping our industry. Our teams' partner with clients across a multitude of industries, delving into, securing new products, and emerging technologies, as well as solving complex security problems. As global leaders in cyber and escrow, NCC Group is a people-powered business seeking the next group of brilliant minds to join our ranks.   

Our colleagues are our greatest asset, and NCC Group is committed to providing an inclusive and supportive work environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, authenticity, and accountability. We want colleagues to put down roots at NCC Group, and we offer a comprehensive benefits package, as well as opportunities for learning and development and career growth. We believe our people are at their brilliant best when they feel bolstered in all aspects of their well-being, and we offer wellness programs and flexible working arrangements to provide that vital support. 

What do we offer in return? (add at your own business area’s discretion)

We have a high-performance culture which is balanced evenly with world-class well-being initiatives and benefits:

⏰Flexible working

💸 Financial & Investment

• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Share Save Scheme
• Maternity & Paternity leave

🙋🏾Community & Volunteering Programmes

⚡ Green Car Scheme

🚴 Cycle Scheme

🧑🏻‍🤝‍🧑🏻 Employee Referral Program

🧘🏻 Lifestyle & Wellness

🎓 Learning & Development

👨🏿‍🦽 Diversity & Inclusion

So, what’s next?

If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, then we would love to hear from you! Click on apply to this job to send us your CV and cover letter and the relevant member of our global talent team will be in touch with you. Alternatively send your details to global.ta@nccgroup.com .

About your application

We review every application received and will get in touch if your skills and experience match what we’re looking for. If you don’t hear back from us within 10 days, please don’t be too disappointed – we may keep your CV on our database for any future vacancies and we would encourage you to keep an eye on our career opportunities as there may be other suitable roles.

If you do not want us to retain your details, please email global.ta@nccgroup.com. All personal data is held in accordance with the NCC Group Privacy Policy (candidate-privacy-notice-261023.pdf (nccgroupplc.com)). We are committed to diversity and flexibility in the workplace. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you during the application process, please tell us at any stage.

Please note that this role involves mandatory pre-employment background checks due to the nature of the work NCC Group does. To apply, you must be willing and able to undergo the vetting process. This role being advertised will be subject to BS7858 screening as a mandatory requirement.