skip navigation
skip mega-menu

Lead Security Architect - FCDO - SEO

Government Digital & Data -

Full-time (Permanent)
£48,801 - £53,697 Plus location allowance £1750
Published on
23 December 2025
Deadline
18 January 2026

Location

Hanslope, South East England, MK19 7BH

About the job

Job summary

At FCDO Services, we protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings, courier diplomatic packages worldwide, safeguard government tech, and a whole lot more.

Job description

Our work is as varied and vital as it gets, but we never lose sight of our people. Their skills, aspirations and growth mean as much as the global mission we’re on.

In our world, it all matters.

Our Digital and Data technology team are at the forefront of digital innovation. They provide best in-class solutions for our clients, helping to shape and support a data driven future for UK government. Whether it’s creating bespoke, secure software, offering programme and application support or moving an entire embassy’s servers to a Cloud platform. No matter the task, they are on hand to support. Now, you’ve got the opportunity to join them.

Providing innovation to government partners.

Delivering best-in-class solutions.

Working at the cutting-edge of technology

It all matters.

Protect, secure and safeguard vital government services

Joining our Cyber Security department, you’ll recruit, lead, coach and develop a team of Security Information Risk Advisors, driving a culture of high performance and continuous improvement. Working across cross-business processes and large programmes of work, you’ll identify potential security information risks associated with the acquisition, implementation and use of technologies.

Focusing on monitoring and mitigating risk, you’ll recommend controls and audit tests, providing input on the development of security policies, risk assessment and architecture for FCDO Services and our customers. Where security breaches arise, you’ll suggest solutions rooted in prevention, acting as a source of advice and guidance to management, and promoting security awareness across the organisation.

Use your specialist skills to improve our technological resilience

An established professional with an IS related qualification at NVQ Level 6 or equivalent, you’ll have extensive knowledge of technical and security tools and techniques. In a previous role, you’ll have analysed proposals, processes and practices, and identified security information risks.

As a leader, you’ll be engaging, motivating and knowledgeable, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills. On a personal level, you’ll be organised, proactive and decisive, capable of delivering at pace and to deadline. This is a fantastic opportunity to join an organisation that values you for you – and to use your skills for national good.

Discover the support you need to grow your career further

Working with us you’ll help keep people, information, and assets safe around the world. It’s a role you can feel proud of; and we aim to make every part of your career just as rewarding. That’s why when you join us, expect to receive a competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement and a Civil Service Pension. Along with this, you’ll also have access to training and other development opportunities to help grow your career with us. Our offices have an on-site gym, nursery, café, and restaurant, and we offer interest-free loans on season tickets and bikes to help you get there. It’s a great set of benefits made to support all you do, and all you need.

Want to see your future team’s work in action? Step into our Virtual Embassy, to see how we deliver for government customers and how you could help. Explore the embassy now at virtual-embassy.fcdoservicescareers.co.uk.

All our employees have to be security cleared before being appointed, so you will need to undergo a vetting process as part of your application. This role requires you to go through Developed Vetting (DV). You can find out more about vetting on our website.

It takes a diverse team to protect a diverse world.

The vital work we do takes an incredible community of colleagues, with different skills, backgrounds, cultures and identities. We support every individual, so that you always know you’re welcome and valued. It’s what makes us a Disability Confident employer. And why we’re recognised as a ‘Carer Confident’ workplace. And it’s how you know you’re joining an inspiring, inclusive organisation.

Candidates who are judged to be close to meeting the criteria may be considered for other positions in FCDO Services which may be at a lower grade, but have a potential skills match.

Person specification

We are looking for people with:

  • IS related qualifications at NVQ Level 6 or equivalent, e.g. ISO 207001 Internal Auditor or Lead Implementer  ISACA CRISC, ISC2 CISSP.
  • Extensive knowledge of technical and security tools and techniques
  • Experience analysing proposals, processes and practices and identifying security information risks
  • Line management experience
  • Strong influencing and interpersonal skills
  • Able to produce clear technical documentation

Qualifications

IS related qualifications at NVQ Level 6 or equivalent, e.g. ISO 207001 Internal Auditor or Lead Implementer ISACA CRISC, ISC2 CISSP.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Seeing the Big Picture
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

  • IS related qualifications at NVQ Level 6 or equivalent, e.g. ISO 207001 Internal Auditor or Lead Implementer ISACA CRISC, ISC2 CISSP.
  • Extensive knowledge of technical and security tools and techniques
  • Experience analysing proposals, processes and practices and identifying security information risks
  • Line management experience
  • Strong influencing and interpersonal skills
  • Able to produce clear technical documentation

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

  • IS related qualifications at NVQ Level 6 or equivalent, e.g. ISO 207001 Internal Auditor or Lead Implementer ISACA CRISC, ISC2 CISSP.
  • Extensive knowledge of technical and security tools and techniques
  • Experience analysing proposals, processes and practices and identifying security information risks
  • Able to produce clear technical documentation

More jobs at Government Digital & Data

Interaction Designer - GDS
Full-time (Permanent)
Test Engineer - GDS - SEO
£46,725 - £50,220 (London) / £42,893 - £45,653 (National) plus additional allowance
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior Interaction Designer Intellectual Property Office -
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior Interaction Designer Intellectual Property Office - sE
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior Dynamics Developer - Intellectual Property Office - SEO
£47,766 - £58,575
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior Delivery Manager - Cabinet Office - G7
National = £57,204 - £63,953 London = £62,988 - £68,558
Full-time (Permanent)
Network Technical Architect - Government Property Agency - G7
£56,500 - £62,554 plus up to £25,000 additional allowances
Full-time (Permanent)
Chief Technology Officer - OFGEM - SCS1
£81,000 - £117,800
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior Cyber Talent Capability Manager - Department for Science, Innovation & Technology - SEO
National: £44,620 - £49,065; London: £47,355 - £52,090
Full-time (Permanent)
Cyber Talent Capability Manager - Department for Science, Innovation & Technology - HEO
National: £36,735 - £39,670 London: £39,850 - £43,020
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior Site Reliability Engineer (Python) - Department for Business and Trade - G7
London £67,547 to 83,778, National 63,824 to £80,158
Full-time (Permanent)
Platform Engineer - MI5 The Security Service - HEO
£66,332
Full-time (Permanent)
SRE Squad Lead - Department for Business and Trade - G7
London £67,547 to 83,778, National 63,824 to £80,158
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior Business Analyst - Crown Prosecution Service - SEO
£43,800 - £49,090 (National) / £45,600 - £51,470 (London) + £3,150 RRA
Full-time (Permanent)
Lead Test Engineer - HMRC - G7
National £58,541 - £64,624 London £65,869 - £72,711
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior Dynamics Developer - Intellectual Property Office - SEO
£47,766 - £58,575
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior Technical Architect (Azure) - OFGEM - G7
National £49,452-58,519, London £52,397-62,699
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior Technical Architect - Department for Work and Pensions - G7
£57,946 - £83,917
Full-time (Permanent)
Chief Information Security Officer - Home Office - SCS2
£150,000
Full-time (Permanent)
Director of Technology and Operations - FCDO Services - SCS1
£81,000 - £117,800 Plus £1,750 location allowance
Full-time (Permanent)
Director of Technology and Operations - FCDO Services - SCS1
£81,000 - £117,800 Plus £1,750 location allowance
Full-time (Permanent)
Chief Technology Officer - Health and Safety Executive - SCS1
£86,000 - £117,800
Full-time (Permanent)
iOS/Android Mid & Senior Developers - Government Digital Service - G7
£57,550 - £81,720 Based on location and capability
Full-time (Permanent)
Software Developer (Ruby Developer) - Cabinet Office - G7
National: £57,204 - £63,988, London: £62,988 - £74,822
Full-time (Permanent)
Software Engineer - Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency - HEO
£39,163
Full-time (Permanent)
Technical Architect (Security and Availability Technologist) - Government Digital Service - G7
£65,370 - £77,220 (London) & £60,600 - £72,450 (National) based on capability
Full-time (Permanent)
Head of Delivery - UK Health Security Agency - G6
£70,797 - £85,436
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior Infrastructure Engineer (Security) - HM Land Registry - SEO
£48,400 - £59,300 including GDD additional allowances
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior Infrastructure Engineer - HM Land Registry - SEO
£48,400 - £59,300 including GDD additional allowance
Full-time (Permanent)
Lead Infrastructure Specialist - HM Land Registry - SEO
£57,000 - £70,900 includes GDD allowance
Full-time (Permanent)
Lead Accessibility Specialist - Government Digital Service - G6
£69,675 - £72,975 Based on capability
Full-time (Permanent)
Technical Architect (Integration and Interoperability Technologist) - Government Digital Service - G7
£65,370 - £77,220 (London) & £60,600 - £72,450 (Bristol & Manchester) Based on capability.
Full-time (Permanent)
Technical Architect (Development and Adoption Technologist) - Government Digital Service - G7
£65,370 - £77,220 (London) & £60,600 - £72,450 (Bristol & Manchester) Based on capability.
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior IT Service Manager - Department for Work and Pensions - SEO
£44,447 - £46,547
Full-time (Permanent)
Service Manager - HMRC - SEO
£45,544 - £49,523
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior IT Service Manager - HMRC - SEO
£45,544 - £49,523
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior Site Reliability Engineer (Python) - Department for Business and Trade - G7
London £67,547 to 83,778, National 63,824 to £80,158
Full-time (Permanent)
Platform Engineer - MI5 The Security Service - HEO
£66,332
Full-time (Permanent)
SRE Squad Lead - Department for Business and Trade - G7
London £67,547 to 83,778, National 63,824 to £80,158
Full-time (Permanent)
Lead Technical Architect - Department for Work and Pensions - G6
£75,026 - £99,836
Full-time (Permanent)
Lead Technical Architect - Government Digital Service - G6
£72,825 - £86,925 (Bristol & Manchester), £77,755 - £91,855 (London) Based on capability
Full-time (Permanent)
Lead Technical Architect (Infrastructure & Networks) - FCDO Services - G7
£60,739 - £69,832 Plus location allowance £1750
Full-time (Permanent)
Software Developer (Senior) - HMRC - SEO
£45,544 - £49,523
Full-time (Permanent)
Chief Information Security Officer - Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office - SCS1
£81,000 - £130,000
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior Dynamics Developer (Field Service) - Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency - SEO
£44,241 plus additional allowances up to £18,756
Full-time (Permanent)
Project Manager - HM Land Registry - SEO
National: £45,514 Croydon £49,688
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior Solutions Architect - Government Digital Service - G7
£62,120 - £79120 (London), £57,350 - £67,150 (Bristol & Manchester) Based on capability.
Full-time (Permanent)
Deputy Director Cyber Security - UK Health Security Agency - SCS1
£86,000 - £130,000
Full-time (Permanent)
Data Governance Lead - Government Digital Service - G7
£56,850 - £61,620
Full-time (Permanent)
Lead Digital Evaluator - Office for National Statistics - G7
£56,861 - £66,704
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior Data Engineer (GCP) - Office for National Statistics - SEO
£41,985 plus up to additional £750
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior Data Engineer - Office for National Statistics - SEO
£41,985 plus up to £750 additional
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior Data Architect - Office for National Statistics - G7
£56,861 - £66,704 plus up to £1,300 additional allowance
Full-time (Permanent)
Software Developer - Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government - SEO
£47,444 (London) or £44,004 (National)
Full-time (Permanent)
Service Delivery Manager - National Crime Agency - HEO
£45,326 plus additional £4,218 for London
Full-time (Permanent)
Delivery Manager - Ministry of Justice - G7
The national salary is £58,511 - £65,329. London salary is £63,343 - £70,725
Full-time (Permanent)
Associate Delivery Manager - Ministry of Justice - SEO
National: £42,914 - £46,182, London: £49,325 - £53,081
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior Product Manager - Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency - G7
£62,515 including allowances
Full-time (Permanent)
Lead Product Manager - HMRC - G6
£71,725 - £79,481
Full-time (Permanent)
Product Manager - HMRC - G7
£58,541 - £64,624
Full-time (Permanent)
Associate Product Manager - HMRC - SEO
£45,544 - £49,523
Full-time (Permanent)
AI Product Manager - Ministry of Justice - G6
£71,381 - £85,257
Full-time (Permanent)
Associate Infrastructure Engineer - Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government - HEO
£36,169 - £44,558 based on location and additional capability allowance
Full-time (Temporary)
Infrastructure Engineer - HMRC - HEO
£37,682 - £40,705
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior Site Reliability Engineer - Government Digital Service - G7
£64,450 - £76,950
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior ANPR Engineer - Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency - SEO
£44,241 Yeading/Uxbridge additional £4,000
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior IT Service Manager - Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency - G7
£57,515
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior Business Analyst - Office for National Statistics - SEO
£41,985 - £47,121
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior Digital Business Analyst (Salesforce Centre of Enablement) - OFGEM - G7
National £49,452-£58,519, London £52,397-£62,699
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior User Researcher - Cabinet Office - G7
National: £57,204 - £63,953, London: £62,988 - £68,558
Full-time (Permanent)
AWS Technical Architect - Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government - G7
£63,483 – £72,287 (London), £58,092 – £66,742 (National) plus additional allowance
Full-time (Permanent)
Senior User Researcher - Government Digital Service - G7
£56,850 - £71,920 Based on location and capability
Full-time (Permanent)

Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up here