Head of Cyber Defence

IDEX
London, United Kingdom
Today
Job Type
Permanent
Work Pattern
Full-time
Work Location
On-site
Seniority
Director
Education
Degree
Posted
8 Jun 2026 (Today)

Role Summary

An experienced cyber security leader responsible for developing and executing enterprise-wide cyber defence strategies to protect critical business systems, data, and infrastructure. Leads security operations, threat detection, incident response, and cyber resilience initiatives while ensuring alignment with organisational risk management objectives.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and manage the Cyber Defence function, overseeing security operations, threat intelligence, vulnerability management, and incident response capabilities.
  • Develop and implement cyber defence strategies, policies, and procedures to protect against evolving cyber threats.
  • Direct Security Operations Centre (SOC) activities, ensuring effective monitoring, detection, investigation, and response to security incidents.
  • Oversee threat intelligence programmes, identifying emerging risks and implementing proactive defensive measures.
  • Lead cyber incident response activities, coordinating technical teams and business stakeholders during security events.
  • Manage vulnerability assessment and remediation programmes across enterprise infrastructure and applications.
  • Collaborate with technology, risk, compliance, and business teams to strengthen organisational cyber resilience.
  • Provide strategic advice and reporting to senior leadership on cyber threats, security posture, and risk exposure.
  • Manage relationships with external security vendors, consultants, and industry partners.
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of cyber security professionals.

Key Achievements

  • Enhanced threat detection and response capabilities through the implementation of advanced security monitoring solutions.
  • Improved organisational cyber resilience through the development and testing of incident response and recovery plans.
  • Reduced cyber risk by driving enterprise-wide vulnerability management and remediation initiatives.
  • Established strong security governance frameworks aligned with industry best practice and regulatory requirements.

Skills and Expertise

  • Cyber Security Strategy
  • Security Operations (SOC)
  • Incident Response & Crisis Management
  • Threat Intelligence
  • Vulnerability Management
  • Security Architecture
  • Risk Management
  • Team Leadership & Development
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Regulatory & Compliance Requirements

Industry Experience

Extensive experience leading cyber security and cyber defence functions within complex, highly regulated environments, including the insurance and financial services sectors.

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Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Mission

At IDEX, we strive for an inclusion-first company culture where everyone is treated fairly and can bring their authentic selves to work. We recognise and acknowledge that diverse representation at every level of our business requires continuous and measurable effort. We are committed to driving conscious inclusion across our business and creating equitable pathways.

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Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Where to Advertise Cyber Security Jobs in the UK (2026 Guide)

Where to advertise cyber security jobs UK in 2026: the specialist boards, communities and channels that reach offensive, defensive and GRC security talent. The candidate pool is small, heavily vetted and in high demand across government, financial services, critical national infrastructure and the private sector simultaneously. Many of the strongest candidates hold active security clearances, are not actively job-searching through general platforms, and move primarily through specialist networks and trusted referrals. General job boards reach a broad audience but lack the specificity that security professionals expect. Specialist platforms, government-affiliated channels and cleared candidate networks each serve a different part of the market. This guide, published by CybersecurityJobs.tech, covers where to advertise cyber security roles in the UK in 2026, how the main platforms compare, what employers should expect to pay, and what the data says about hiring across different role types.