Head of Information Security

Head of Information Security.

Salary: c£75,000 per annum.

Location: Remote.

Contract: Permanent, 35 hours per week.

Benefits:   

• 29 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays pro rata, with up to 5 additional days for continuous service and option to buy or sell leave.  
• Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities.  
• Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages.  
• Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover.  
• Staff discount portal and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailer's discounts.  

Why Action for Children?   

Working here is more than a job. Everyone in the Action for Children family is passionate about protecting and supporting children. It is the sense of purpose that drives us every single day. Because we know that, when we work together, we can make a huge difference to bring lasting improvements to vulnerable children's lives.  

A bit about the role 

As the Head of Information Security at Action for Children, you will champion our cyber defences and ensure the safety of our digital landscape.

In this pivotal role, you will be the architect of our Information Security Strategy, steering the organisation through the complexities of cyber threats with expertise and foresight. By leading a small team of cybersecurity experts, you will set up clear security rules and strong day-to-day processes that are both affordable and show real improvements in our services. Your leadership will not only safeguard our systems but will also inspire a culture of security awareness and compliance that permeates every level of our charity.

You will also enable effective decision making on information security matters and increase cyber resilience and awareness across the organisation to establish clear security controls and robust operational procedures that provide value for money whilst minimising risk to staff and service users.

How you'll help to create brighter futures by

• Strategic Leadership: The role requires a strategic thinker who can guide and uphold the Information Security Strategy, ensuring it meets organizational goals and regulatory requirements.
• Team Management: Leading and managing a team of information security professionals, fostering a culture of security awareness and compliance throughout the organisation
• Risk Management: Identifying and defending against threats, managing risks, and using the latest technology for departmental improvements are crucial tasks.
• Collaboration: Working closely with internal IT teams to integrate security measures and promote IT security awareness among senior management.
• Operational Oversight: Overseeing penetration testing, vulnerability scans, incident responses, data loss prevention, phishing tests, and system audits.
• Vendor Management: Conducting security evaluations of third-party vendors and service providers, advising on application security initiatives.

Let's talk about you 

• Educated to degree level or equivalent work experience in a relevant discipline.
• IT Security accreditation (CISSP or CISSM).
• Experience of working at all levels of organisations including at C-suite and board level.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills and influence and work with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Significant IT experience, including cyber security experience and adviser to all levels of an organisation.
• Experience of visualising, planning, and executing process improvement to increase the efficiency and delivery of security capabilities. 

Please see the Job Description for the full list of accountabilities and requirements.  

Contact: David Simpson on 01923361732 or email us at recruitmentservice@actionforchildren.org.uk quoting reference 11076.

Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. 

Diversity, equality, and inclusion 

At Action for Children, we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. 

We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic, and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children. 

Want to know more about Action for Children? 

Find us on X, Linkedin, Facebook or YouTube to get to know us better. 

Closing Date: 28th April 2025.

First stage Interviews will be week on Friday 9th May and Monday 12th May 2025 by MS Teams.

Second stage interviews will be held on Friday 16th May 2025 by MS Teams.

Job Description

See below for further information about working with us: 

Action for Children Employee Benefits 

AfC Commitment Statement 

Management Competency Framework