Lead Security Architect

DVLA are looking for a Lead Security Architect to help protect and improve the security of some of the UK's most important digital services. You will bring technical depth, strong security judgement and a practical Secure by Design mindset, helping teams understand threats, make risk-based decisions and deliver secure services at scale. Based in Swansea on a permanent Grade 7 appointment, this role offers hybrid working (minimum 60% office-based in Swansea), a salary of up to £82,430 (inclusive of allowances as assessed at interview) plus c.29% employer pension contribution and excellent Civil Service benefits.

OPEN SESSION

To find out more about the role, the team and what it's like to work in the Architecture department, DVLA have organised an open session where you can virtually meet the team on 25th June at 12pm.

Follow application link to book your virtual seat.

About role

This is an exciting opportunity to join DVLA as a Grade 7 Lead Security Architect, playing a leading role in protecting one of government's largest and most complex digital estates. This is a new role within the Architecture Capability, created to strengthen how security is built into technology design from the very beginning.

You will provide authoritative security architecture leadership across a broad portfolio of systems and services, ensuring that security is embedded by design throughout the full technology lifecycle.

Working at the heart of DVLA's digital transformation, you will champion a risk-informed, secure-by-design approach, influencing strategy at the most senior levels and collaborating with central government departments, National Technical Authorities and industry partners. If you are a credible security professional who can balance technical depth with strategic thinking, we want to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Influence senior stakeholders across DVLA and wider government departments, acting as a security advocate for the agency.
• Identify and explain complex security needs, including those linked to emerging threats, organisational risk appetite and wider business impact.
• Act as a trusted escalation point for security consultants, projects and delivery teams.
• Lead secure design activity across systems and services, including STRIDE threat modelling and design-level risk assessments.
• Ensure security controls are proportionate and aligned to Secure by Design, government security standards and defence-in-depth principles.

Essential Skills

• Experience as a technology or cyber security professional with a strong understanding of architecture principles, secure design and how security controls are built into technology environments.
• Ability to identify, assess and manage cyber security risks proportionately, balancing risk appetite, security controls and operational needs.
• Strong knowledge of security policies, standards and frameworks, including NCSC guidance and defence-in-depth principles.
• Confident communicator who can explain complex security concepts clearly to technical teams, senior leaders, programme boards and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to influence multidisciplinary teams, provide strategic security direction and act as a trusted escalation point, supported by relevant professional development or qualifications such as CISSP, CISM, SABSA, ex-CLAS or equivalent.

Desirable criteria

• Experience working in government, public sector or another regulated environment
• Knowledge of modern security standards, patterns or technologies across areas such as cloud, applications, data or integration services.
• Experience contributing to security architecture principles, reference architectures, standards or reusable security patterns.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,515 - £82,430 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency contributes £16,662 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:

• Best in class learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues
• Generous employer contribution of 28.9%, depending on chosen pension scheme
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance
• Digital communities with clear career frameworks
• On-site gym plus personal training available (membership applies)
• On-site nursery, restaurants and coffee bar
• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays), increasing by 1 each year (up to 30) & 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King's birthday
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff
• Free parking

Why join DVLA?

As a brand-new role within DVLA's Architecture Capability, this is a real opportunity to influence how security is built into major digital services from the start. You'll help embed Secure by Design across one of government's largest technology estates, supporting services used by millions of people across the UK.

Apply now or contact Inspire People in complete confidence.

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