Security Operations Principal

Security Operations Principal - Homebased - Flexible, United Kingdom

Grade A - 55,172 - 68,348 (National) or 61,028 - 74,204 (London for London office based or homebased workers within the boundary of the M25). For exceptional candidates a higher salary may be available.There is also anadditionalhomeworking allowance of 600per annum for those working from home.
Contracted Hours: Full-time 37 hours per week. Talk to us about compressed hours or flexible working.
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing date: Wednesday 04 November 2026at 11.59pm

Make a difference
Every role at CQC contributes to our mission. If you're looking for a new role in Technology that gives a true sense of meaning and purpose, then you've found it. As a Security Operations Principal, you'll help keep CQC's people, systems and information safe, supporting our ability to regulate health and social care services effectively.

Picture this
You'll lead the team that helps protect CQC from cyber threats, making sure security risks are identified and managed before they affect vital services. You'll work with colleagues across the organisation to strengthen resilience and keep essential services running smoothly.

• As a Security Operations Principal in Cyber Security, you will be empowered to shape security monitoring and detection capabilities by introducing new approaches, automation and technologies that help identify threats more quickly.
• You will lead simulated cyber incident exercises, bringing together Technology, Data, Communications, Business Continuity and suppliers to test response plans, strengthen escalation arrangements and turn lessons learned into practical improvements.
  

The role
You'll play an important part in delivering our mission. In this role, you'll:

• Lead security operations: Manage the day-to-day delivery of CQC's security operations service, ensuring clear priorities, high-quality support and effective service performance.
• Support and develop the team: Provide leadership, coaching and guidance to Security Operations colleagues, helping them grow, perform well and continuously improve.
• Coordinate cyber security activity: Oversee the monitoring, investigation and response to security alerts, incidents and vulnerabilities, working with colleagues, suppliers and stakeholders to reduce risk.

Show us
We will be looking for specific skills, knowledge and experience in your application form:

• Experience managing or supervising a cyber security, security operations or similar technical service, including supporting and developing team members.
• Experience coordinating responses to cyber incidents, bringing together technical teams, suppliers and business stakeholders to achieve outcomes.
• Experience using security monitoring and threat detection tools, analysing security information, and using evidence to improve controls, processes or service performance.

Compliance
To progress your application, youll need to provide evidence of your right towork in the UK. Without valid right to work you wont be eligible for therole.We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. Someroles may also be subject to a satisfactory DBS check.

Next steps
If you apply, youll need to create a profile and complete an online application form.Your application will be completely anonymous. Please see ourinformation for applicants for more details on the process.We contact every applicant to let them know the outcome of their application, so you will hear from us whether or not you are shortlisted.

You can read the full details of the role in theJob Description

If youd like to have an informal chat about the role you can contact Adam Ibbotson, Deputy Director of Cyber Security; For general enquiries, please email

The Benefits

Weoffer a wide range ofbenefits , including:

• Annual leave starting at 27 days per year, rising to 32.5 days with service, plus bank holidays (usually 8 days per year).
• Training and development opportunities.
• Wellbeing initiatives, such as gym discounts and meditation.
• NHS pension scheme, with around 23.7% employer contribution.
• Discount schemes (including eligibility for a Blue Light card, at a cost of 4.99 and valid for 2 years), reward vouchers, car leasing and more!

Please see ourbenefits page for the full list.

Equity for all
We know job descriptions can feel intimidating. Research shows they can cause some people to doubt whether theyre a good fit. This happens more often to people from underrepresented groups (e.g. ethnic minority backgrounds).If this role interests you, we encourage you to apply. Your unique perspective, skills, and experience could be exactly what we need.
We want every candidate to feel supported and able to do their best. If you need adjustments to our process,well work with you to remove any barriers . Visit ouraccessibility page for more on this. If youd like to chat, please contact . Please note, if you have previously informed us of adjustments you need for interview or within your role these are not carried over and must be discussed for each individual application you make.
We promote a workplace wherefairness, respect and inclusion are a priority . Diverse teams make our work better, help us deliver our mission and make our culture stronger. See ourED&I page for more about this.
We welcomeapplications fromeveryone,and colleagues can find supportand community among our many employee networks. This includes people of any:

• Age
• Sex
• Gender identity or expression
• Sexual orientation
• Religion or belief
• Ethnicity
• Disability

Values and vision
We are guided by ourcore values, which shape our work and our culture.
Excellence being a high-performing organisation.
Caring treating everyone with dignity and respect.
Integrity doing the right thing.
Teamwork learning from each other to be the best we can.
We are a disability confident employer and a carer confident employer.

A Note on AI
AI tools can be great for research and refining ideas, but we want to learn about you. If you use AI or Chatbots to help you with your application, keep these points in mind:

• AI can support research, structuring and refining your writing, but your applicationmust reflectyour real skills and experience .
• Spell-checking and condensing word counts are great ways to use AI effectively.
• Do not copy and paste AI generated answers. These will not help you stand out; remember we want to hear about your skills and experience.
• Providing false and insincere examples goes against our core values of honesty and integrity andmay lead to your application being withdrawn or termination of your employment.