Senior Security Architect

We are now recruiting for a Senior Security Architect to support the Chief Information Security Officer in managing and reporting the Information Security Risks faced by Technology Services (TS) in delivering AJ Bell’s systems and services. This role is responsible for leading the secure delivery of AJ Bell’s technology and business change. The Senior Security Architect will play a lead role in designing and implementing security controls and processes. Key to this is assisting and supporting our colleagues in achieving their goals, but in a secure manner.

The Information Security Team is based out of our Manchester office, but this role can be based UK wide with intermittent travel to Manchester.

The key responsibilities of the role are:

• Subject matter expertise for security best practice, ensuring the maintenance of the confidentiality, integrity and availability of AJ Bell’s systems and data.
• Engaging with business leaders to ensure security is adequately represented within their changes and initiatives.
• Design and implementation of enterprise security technology controls and platforms, following industry best practices.
• Supporting and advising on projects and change initiatives to ensure that there is no negative impact on our security posture
• Carrying out internal security reviews both on solutions we develop in house and third-party solutions.
• Supporting audit and due diligence activities within Technology Services
• Establishing frameworks and patterns for the efficient and effective delivery of security controls.
• Working with Information Security, Infrastructure and Architecture to define security standards.
• Acts as an integration point between the CISO and AJ Bell business and technology teams to ensure security is embedded across the organisation

What we're looking for:

• Demonstrable experience of implementing enterprise security platforms
• Previous experience of delivering and maintaining of technical enterprise security solutions for (but not limited to) the following areas: End Point Protection, Cloud Security, Network Security, DevOps, Security Monitoring & Remediation is advantageous.
• Knowledge of Secure Software Development Life Cycle best practices
• Strong understanding and knowledge of Information Security risk management tools and techniques
• Experience of security governance and compliance, ideally gained in financial services organisations
• Demonstrable understanding of Information Security control standards and frameworks e.g. ISO27001, NIST, PCI DSS
• Awareness and understanding of the Information Security threat landscape
• Deep understanding of Information Security solutions and controls
• Experience of Cloud security solutions and standards is highly advantageous

Knowledge & Skills

• Excellent communicator, able to translate complex topics to all areas of the business
• Significant experience in the area of Information security
• Strong knowledge of core IT and networking concepts
• Well versed in IT security capabilities, framework and concepts
• Strong ownership of tasks, attention to detail and following through to conclusion
• Ability to challenge approach, strategy and implementation to ensure Information Security is consistently considered and improved
• Ability to work under own initiative to plan and communicate effectively with colleagues and customers
• Structured, self-starting, flexible and enjoy working in fast-paced environments
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to plan, organise and follow through on assigned tasks and complete with little or no prompting from management
• Excellent attention to detail
• Attained CISSP or similar certification
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in an Information Security role gained in a financial services or e-commerce environment is preferred

About Us:

AJ Bell is one of the fastest-growing investment platform businesses in the UK offering an award-winning range of solutions that caters for everyone, from professional financial advisers, to DIY investors with little to no experience. We have over 484,000 customers using our award-winning platform propositions to manage assets totalling more than £76.2 billion. Our customers trust us with their investments, and by continuously striving to make investing easier, we aim to help even more people take control of their financial futures.

Having listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in December 2018, AJ Bell is now a FTSE 250 company.

Headquartered in Manchester with offices in central London and Bristol, we now have over 1300 employees and have been named one of the UK's 'Best 100 Companies to Work For’ for six consecutive years.

What we offer:

• Starting salary £75,000 - £90,000 (DOE)
• Generous holiday allowance increasing up to 31 days with service, plus bank holidays
• Holiday buy/sell scheme
• Hybrid working policy
• Casual dress code
• Discretionary bonus
• Contributory pension scheme
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Dedicated time for proof-of-concepts and assessing new tech
• Support to attend conferences, events, and meet-ups
• Buy as you earn share scheme
• Free annual share scheme
• Paid study support for qualifications
• Enhanced maternity/paternity scheme from day one
• Bike loan
• Season ticket loan portal
• Discounted PMI and Dental
• On-site gym and personal trainer led classes
• Paid volunteering opportunities, free social events and more

AJ Bell is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and all employees are empowered to bring their whole self to work.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, religion, physical and mental disability, marital status and any other characteristics protected by the Equality Act 2010. All decisions to hire are based on qualifications, merit and business need.