Job Description

Details

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Reference number

423180
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Salary

73,730 - 79,813
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
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Job grade

Grade 6###

Contract type

Permanent###

Type of role

Knowledge and Information Management

Policy

Risk Management

Security###

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Part-time###

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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Belfast, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, London, Manchester

About the job

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Job summary

Are you an inspirational leader with a passion for building a strong security culture and ensuring resilience in the face of evolving threats?


The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is seeking a Head of Security to lead the cyber and information security strategy and policy.

About the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)

The CMA is an independent non-ministerial UK government department and is the UK's principal competition and consumer protection authority. We help people, businesses, and the UK economy by promoting competitive markets and tackling unfair behaviour.


We provide the opportunity to work across all sectors of the UK economy, undertaking objective, evidence-based analysis that can have a direct and substantial impact on the economy and economic prosperity.

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Job description

What you will do

As a critical leader within the organisation, you will work closely with the Chief Operating Officer and advise at the most senior levels of the CMA on all aspects of security.


You will advise on and develop cyber and information security policy frameworks.


In a strategic and operational role, you will set long-term direction and policy, lead responses to live incidents and manage compliance with government-wide frameworks.


You will oversee risk assessments, business continuity planning, investigations and assurance activities to ensure the organisation remains resilient and secure.

What you will need

You will have substantial experience in developing and delivering policy and process in relation to security, including cyber, information, personnel and physical.


You will have in-depth knowledge of security policies and frameworks and how the apply these in a large and complex environment.


You will be able to confidently advise and influence senior stakeholders up to Board-level on security matters.

What we can offer you

In return the CMA is a hugely diverse, rewarding and stimulating place to work - an opportunity to work for the public good and to stretch and develop yourself in doing so. We offer generous benefits, including an excellent pension scheme, at least 25 days leave (increasing to 30 over five years), and generous maternity/paternity leave provision. You can also take advantage of interest-free season ticket loans, a cycle to work scheme, our employee assistance programme and flexible working options.

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Person specification

Essential Criteria:

It is essential that you can provide evidence and examples for each of the following selection criteria in your application. For tips on how to make the most your application, please have a look at our guidance document.

Demonstrable experience developing and delivering policy and process in relation to physical, personnel, cyber security (essential) and information security (desirable).

(Lead criteria)

In-depth knowledge of UK government and / or industry leading security policies, standards and frameworks and their application to an organisation of comparable size and complexity to the CMA.

(Lead criteria)

Experience leading a multi-disciplinary team and delivering projects and programmes from across different organisational functions. Strong written and oral communication skills, including confidence and knowledge to deliver challenging messages and the ability to influence at Board-level. Ability to develop a network across a wide range of diverse external and internal stakeholders, including in relation to cyber and information security specialist functions.

Desirable:

Experience of threat assessment and incident response, ideally including crisis response. Experience in internal audit, risk management or assurance functions. ###

Qualifications

Graduate level education, ideally in a relevant subject.




Relevant professional certifications (e.g., CISM, CISA, CISSP, BCI).###

Behaviours

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


Leadership Communicating and Influencing Making Effective Decisions Working Together Delivering at Pace Managing a Quality Service ###

Technical skills

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


Cyber, personnel and physical security policy and frameworks.

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 73,730, Competition & Markets Authority contributes 21,359 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
You'll also get:

25 days leave (increasing to 30 days over five years), plus 8 public holidays and an additional day off for the King's birthday. In addition, you'll be able to access a wide range of other types of leave as and when you need it, including generous maternity, paternity, shared parental leave and adoption options, as well as paid special leave for volunteering Season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, flu vaccinations and eye tests Access to the Civil Service Sports & Leisure, giving discounted gym membership, high street discounts, free access to UK wide attractions and a free Tastecard A range of wellbeing benefits, including an employee assistance programme, flexible working options and family friendly policies, regular networking events and professional learning opportunities at work

You can read more about our benefits in our candidate pack.

Our Values

We are Ambitious and Evidence-based, and always strive for Excellence. We treat everyone with Respect and are Collaborative and Inclusive.


Everything we do is underpinned by the Civil Service values: Honesty, Integrity, Impartiality and Objectivity.


You can read more about life at the CMA in our candidate pack.

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
At application and interview you will be asked to demonstrate your suitability for the role in line with the essential criteria in the person specification, the Civil Service Success Profile Framework, and the CMA values.


The selection process will comprise of the sift (CV & application review) and an interview, which will include a written exercise or presentation.

Application Stage

Please note that it is essential that your personal statement is aligned to provide evidence that you have the knowledge and experience for each of the essential selection criteria (as included on the role profile attached and listed above under 'Person Specification') in your application.


An initial sift based on criteria 1 and 2 (Lead Criteria) may be held if a large number of applications are received. If your application progresses to a full sift, all elements of the essential criteria listed under Person Specification will then be considered.


The closing date for applications is 8 September 2025 (23:55pm).


We cannot accept applications submitted after the closing date and time.

Interview Stage

Interviews are planned to take place from 29 September 2025 onwards. Those invited to interview will be asked to prepare a presentation or complete a written exercise, details of which will be provided in advance of the interview.


The interview will be a 1 hour panel interview where you will be asked questions based on the Behaviours, Experience and Technical elements outlined in the role profile.


You will also be assessed on the CMA Value of 'Collaborative'.


Interviews will take place in the London CMA office or via Microsoft Teams.


Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change. If you are unable to meet these timeframes, please let us know in your application.

Reasonable adjustments

We want to make sure no one is at a disadvantage during our recruitment process because of a disability, condition or impairment. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.



If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should complete the "Assistance required" section in the "Additional requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. You can also email recruitment@cma.gov.uk.


For example, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you are deaf, a Language Service Professional. You might also require additional time to complete a timed assessment or a sign language interpreter to support with the relaying of information.

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our

candidate guidance

for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.###

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .



See our vetting charter .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.###

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:


UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements
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Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.



We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.###

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.###

Contact point for applicants

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Job contact :

Name : Tom Skidmore Email : recruitment@cma.gov.uk
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Recruitment team

Email : recruitment@cma.gov.uk ###

Further information

If your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact Recruitment@cma.gov.uk in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.