Senior Cyber Security Advisor

Job summary

Are you a self‑motivated cyber security professional with sharp situational judgement, a growth mindset, and a proven ability to navigate complex technical challenges? Do you thrive in high‑impact environments where your work directly supports mission‑critical systems and healthcare delivery? NHS England’s CISO Portfolio Office (CPO) is seeking an exceptional individual to join our industry‑leading cyber security function. Reporting directly to the Deputy Chief Information Security Officer, you will lead and deliver a diverse range of innovative and high‑profile technical projects across the organisation, with the opportunity to directly influence key initiatives.

The CISO team at NHS England has received national and international recognition from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Gartner, and other leading authorities for its pioneering work in areas such as risk remediation, quantum computing, and third‑party risk management. At NHS England, your work will have direct impact on the availability and security of systems relied upon by thousands of clinicians and millions of patients across the country.

You will be joining a forward‑thinking, inclusive, and collaborative cyber security team that is pushing boundaries and shaping the future of public sector security innovation. Please be aware that should you be successful in this position, you will be hired to the job title of Senior Security Advisor (CISO).

As Senior Security Advisor within the CPO, you will:

• Act as the Deputy CISO’s technical subject matter expert across a portfolio of strategic cyber initiatives.
• Lead and drive the delivery of key innovation programmes, including those focused on quantum computing, data‑led security, and the CISO Cyber Resilience Programme.
• Collaborate closely with delivery, programme, and policy colleagues to ensure that all initiatives are technically robust, aligned to strategic objectives, and enable secure, resilient healthcare operations.

Our staff bring expertise across clinical, operational, commissioning, technology, data science, cyber security, software engineering, education, and commercial specialisms enabling us to design and deliver high‑quality NHS services.

• Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities
• Making the NHS a great place to work, where people can develop and make a difference
• Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care
• Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation
• Delivering value for money

You can find further details about the role, including key responsibilities and accountabilities, alongside the organisational structure and person specification in the attached Job Description and other supporting documents. Please ensure your supporting statement includes demonstrable evidence and specific examples on how you meet the criteria for each of the key skills specified. This will be used in both the shortlisting and interview processes.

• Excellent situational judgement and a pragmatic, solutions‑focused approach to complex technical challenges.
• Strong appreciation of broader business disciplines such as project management, finance, commercial operations, or experience transitioning from one of these into cyber security.
• Confidence in engaging and influencing stakeholders at all levels, translating technical concepts into plain English and articulating the importance of cyber security in enabling patient care and operational continuity.
• A growth mindset, with the initiative to seek out knowledge, collaborate effectively, and drive outcomes even in the face of ambiguity.
• Masters level degree or equivalent level of experience in cyber security, computer science, engineering or related field.

• Experience delivering technical projects within a cyber security, engineering, digital, or critical infrastructure context.
• Familiarity with NHS, public…