Principal Cyber Security Specialist

The Service & Team:

The Principal Cyber Security Specialist will be working within the Innovation and Digital Service at Cornwall Council, specifically in the Information Services team. This team is responsible for developing, monitoring, operating, and supporting cyber security solutions to protect the organisation's digital assets and systems. 

The team report directly to the Head of Information Services, consist of two Cyber Security Analysts, four Cyber Security Specialists and a Cyber Security Manager in addition to this new post.

The Role:

The Principal Cyber Security Specialist role is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned expert in cyber security to lead and innovate within a dynamic organisation. As a senior technical leader, you will develop strategic and tactical cyber security roadmaps, ensuring the organisation's digital assets are protected against potential threats. You will lead specialist teams in building, managing, and supporting cutting-edge cyber security solutions, while also collaborating with technical architects to integrate core security principles into architectural designs.

In this role, you will manage operational relationships with suppliers, contribute to customer requirements discovery, and support the ongoing development of cyber security infrastructure, products, and services. You will also provide specialist technical support for incidents, problems, and changes, ensuring compliance with industry best practices and organisational standards.

With financial accountability for complex infrastructure products and the responsibility of managing multidisciplinary teams, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of cyber security within the organisation. This position offers the opportunity to work with the latest technologies, drive continual service improvement, mentor and develop team members to achieve exceptional business outcomes.

Working Pattern:

Cornwall Council is dedicated to fostering a flexible and family-friendly working environment that prioritises work-life balance and focuses on delivering results. Employees have the right to request flexible working from day one, with options such as term-time working, part-time working, and hybrid working, which allows staff to split their time between the office and remote work. This approach ensures that the needs of both the individual and the service are met, promoting a supportive and inclusive culture.

As a team we pride ourselves on ensuring we are available to support each-other given the unpredictable nature of cyber events against our network.

What you’ll need to succeed:

To excel as a Principal Cyber Security Specialist, you need a strategic mindset for business analysis, expertise in service support, and adeptness in change and incident management. The individual must be empathetic and capable of clearly explaining cyber security concepts to senior directors across various business functions being adaptable to challenging problems. Ownership and initiative are crucial, along with skills in information security management, security architecture, and technical specialism. Proficiency in security testing, and user-focused design are essential. Troubleshooting, problem resolution, and high personal integrity are key, as is the ability to review the designs of complex systems. These skills ensure effective leadership in cyber security, safeguarding digital assets, and delivering secure business outcomes.

Please read the role profile for the full details of this role attached below in this advert

What you’ll get in return:

Cornwall Council’s ambition is to be an employer of choice, a high performing Council and a learning organisation. We commit to providing a reward and benefits package to attract, motivate and reward our employees. We offer a range of flexible working options to our staff. This helps provide our employees with a greater work/life balance. Whilst still ensuring that service needs are met.

As a Principal Cyber Security Specialist, you have exciting career progression opportunities, particularly in leadership roles. You can advance to Cyber Security Manager, overseeing the larger team and managing complex projects with strategic input into the organization's policies. Alternatively, you can move into senior leadership positions where you'll have a broader influence on the organization's overall business strategy and direction. These roles allow you to expand your influence, take on greater responsibilities, and continue to grow professionally within the field of cyber security and local government.

Our core employee rewards and benefits include:

·         a competitive salary.

·         a defined benefit pension scheme, based on your career average earnings. This includes the option for extra voluntary contributions

·         a generous annual leave entitlement with the potential to purchase additional leave.

·         A national award-winning employee health and wellbeing programme

·         Employee benefits scheme giving employees access to a wide range of discounts to local and national goods and services.

Additional Information:

Please note, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role

The full role profile is attached here 

We recommend saving a copy of this to refer to if you are invited to an interview.

For more information or an informal chat about the role please contact Neil Glasson - neil.glasson@cornwall.gov.uk 

Application Process

Please attach a supporting statement to your application, you can add your Education & Qualifications details manually using the application form timeline or you can upload your CV. Remember to demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points marked as ‘Application’ on the Role Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. Guidance on how to complete your application can be found here – The application process.

Please note that applications cannot be edited after they have been submitted, please contact careers@cornwall.gov.uk if you have any queries or require assistance with your application.