Chief Information Security Officer

Job Description:

About the role
Reporting to the Board of Governors and working with the Executive, the CISO will define and lead a university-wide information security strategy. This leadership role is highly strategic, focused on setting direction, standards, and governance to protect critical information assets while enabling research, education, and global collaboration.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and deliver an integrated information security and data governance strategy aligned to institutional priorities
• Establish frameworks for data ownership, access, quality, sharing, and security
• Lead organisational change to embed a strong security culture across academic and professional services
• Define security architecture, maturity models, and performance metrics
• Oversee data governance, regulatory compliance (including GDPR), and risk, incident, and business continuity management
• Build partnerships across the University, its international campuses, and external stakeholders

What you will bring

• Proven senior leadership experience in information security, operating at executive/board level
• Strong track record in strategy development, cyber resilience, and organisational transformation
• Deep understanding of governance, risk, and regulatory frameworks
• Excellent influencing, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Ability to translate complex technical issues into clear strategic direction

What We Offer

You will join an ambitious institution at an exciting point in its development, with the opportunity to shape governance at strategic and operational levels and make a real impact on the University’s future. As such we offer the following:

• A friendly, diverse, and supportive working environment
• A hybrid working arrangement with the blended approach of home and office working
• Generous holiday entitlement of 30 days plus standard bank holidays and five university closure days including closure between Christmas and New Year.
• Our reward scheme grants bonuses of numerous values for excellent work
• You will have access to a range of benefits and rewards, including fitness and health facilities, staff discounts, travel schemes and many more. To find out more about what we can offer you, follow the link to our benefits website

What Next

The recruitment team will add a link to a role profile and for the criteria-based application, they will advise candidates how to apply.

Further information is available in the role profile. To apply for this vacancy please click ‘Apply Now’ to complete your details.

Your working hours will be 37 hours per week. Due to the senior nature of the role, a flexible approach to working hours is required, and occasional additional hours may be necessary to meet operational needs and fulfil the responsibilities of the post. The university recognises the importance of work-life balance.

Please contact Kev Thompson, Director of Governance and Assurance [email protected] if you have further questions about this role. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

Closing Date: 10 Jun 2026
Category: Administrative, Professional and Managerial (APM)