Senior Security Architect

Eligibility This vacancy is only available to existing Civil Servant employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). Please review the "Eligibility" section before you apply. General Information The national salary range is £58,511 - £65,329; London salary range is £63,343 - £70,725. Your salary will be dependent on your base location. Working Pattern Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working. Vacancy Approach Cross Government. Location Leeds, London, Loughborough. Region National. Closing Date 11-Jun-2026. Post Type Permanent. Grade 7. Number of jobs available 1. Reserve List 12 Months. Job ID 17956. About Judicial Digital Services (JDS) Judicial Digital Services is a small, collaborative and friendly team within the Judicial Office, responsible for the development, integration and continuous improvement of digital products that support judges, legal professionals, and the public. The team also works closely with HMCTS and the Ministry of Justice to support cross‑organisational digital initiatives and integrations. With a growing portfolio and a diverse pipeline of work, this is an exciting opportunity to join a digital function at the heart of improving services for the judiciary. About Judicial Office (JO) The Judicial Office (JO) reports to, and is accountable, to the Lady Chief Justice (LCJ). It was established in 2006 to provide support to the LCJ and to the wider judiciary in upholding the rule of law and in delivering justice impartially, speedily and efficiently, following the Constitutional Reform Act 2005. In addition, we support, and are accountable to, the Senior President of Tribunals, whose responsibilities extend to Scotland and Northern Ireland. The JO is an interesting and unique place to work. Everything we do is in support of upholding the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. We work closely with HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and others across Government as well as with the legal professions. We are an Arm’s Length Body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice. This creates an interesting and complex environment in which to work where we agree our priorities with the senior judiciary and receive our funding to deliver them from the Ministry of Justice. The Judicial Office has been through a period of significant growth resulting from an expansion of our remit and responsibilities. Role Overview The Senior Security Architect will lead on the secure design, development and ongoing assurance of a range of digital products and services for the Judicial Office. The role will champion “Secure by Design” principles, ensuring cyber security is embedded from the outset of every project and throughout the technology lifecycle. This role is pivotal in aligning cyber security practices with MOJ and HMCTS’s risk management framework and strategic objectives. The role will oversee the secure design function, guiding technical teams, influencing architectural decisions, and ensuring proportionate security controls are implemented to enable business outcomes. You will also lead the development of Judicial Office’s cyber secure design capability, working with a blended team of civil servants, closely aligned organisations throughout the MOJ and with a variety of suppliers responsible for the secure development of applications. The role will support the JDS team and the Judicial Office to ensure that cyber security activities align with the department’s goals and risk management framework. Additionally the role will support the secure design and implementation supporting the implementation of technology required as a result of recommendations from the Independent Review of Criminal Courts (IRCC), and the Magistrates Uplift programme which will ensure we have the magistrates we need. This is a fast‑paced and complex delivery environment involving business partners, service owners, technical teams, HMCTS/MoJ colleagues and external suppliers. The role offers the opportunity to influence and lead across a wide range of critical security priorities across the Judicial Digital Services. There are opportunities to work within a number of security communities and contribute to wider security boards. Key Responsibilities Communicating with a range of technical and non-technical stakeholders in appropriate mediums to convey technical concepts and risks, as well as a deep security understanding whilst effectively responding to challenge. Supporting the development and deployment of secure systems, by providing security input into the design of new systems and reviewing existing system architectures using defined patterns and principles. Enabling and informing risk‑based decisions, by working with risk owners, advising on risk impact and tolerance, whilst also able to describe different risk methodologies and proportionality of risk. Leading yearly assurance activities on Judicial Office systems which include DPIAs, scoping and management of ITHC’s / Pentesting, vulnerability remediation and reviewing existing security management plans. Keeping actively informed of industry developments to make creative and cost‑effective use of emerging technologies and tools, aligned with business goals and user needs and defining a secure configuration for the technology. Understanding security architectures and identifying vulnerabilities to prevent and respond to cyber breaches, whilst also able to describe the effect of a vulnerability on a system design. Identifying and protecting an organisation's assets, where you have needed to interpret and apply an understanding of policy and process, business architecture, and legal and political implications to assist the development of technical solutions or control. Working with external suppliers and the JDS product and delivery managers to ensure security assurance and related documentation and governance is ongoing and up to date. Strong understanding and working knowledge of Cyber Security Policies and Frameworks. An ability to inspire and coordinate a diverse team of security specialists, helping them to be their best both as individuals and as part of a wider team. Ability to prioritise team activities effectively across a range of complex and urgent tasks. Work with team members to identify risks and communicate them effectively to decision makers. Help inform prioritisation of wider departmental work to ensure security improvements are given due consideration. Specific technology and security understanding – with a good knowledge of system architectures. Able to understand and articulate the impact of vulnerabilities on existing and future designs and complex systems and can articulate an appropriate response, often conveying these complex matters to a wide‑ranging audience. Be able to articulate and be an effective communicator across a range of formats, able to convey complex topics with ease to a variety of audiences and persuade others of the importance of security matters. Secure by Design - Knowledge of Secure by Design principles and their practical application. Analysis - Able to apply the approach to real problems and consider all relevant information. Applies appropriate rigour to ensure a full solution is designed and achieves the business outcome. Understanding security implications of transformation - Can interpret and apply understanding of policy and process, business architecture, and legal and political implications to assist the development of technical solutions or controls. You will also benefit from knowledge of the different approaches to delivery across digital and technology teams, and how security practices can integrate / clash with these working practices. Hold either a full Membership of Chartered Institute of Information Security or Principal membership of the UK Cyber Security Council. Level of security checks required Security Clearance (SC). Civil Service Nationality Rules UK nationals Nationals of the Republic of Ireland Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service #J-18808-Ljbffr Ministry of Justice