Can you lead the security architecture of complex, high-risk programmes and services, embedding a secure-by-design approach across the full system lifecycle? Have you got experience influencing senior stakeholders and shaping security strategy across government, ensuring alignment with national security standards and evolving cyber threats?
Do you want to play a pivotal role in protecting DVLA’s critical services, championing a risk-led security culture and driving security excellence at scale? If so, we’d love to hear from you!
OPEN SESSION
To find out more about the role, the team and what it’s like to work in our department, DVLA have organised an open session where you can virtually ‘meet the team’ on 25/06/26 at 12pm. Book your virtual seat here
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. 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.
Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:
- Interact with senior stakeholders across departments, reaching and influencing a wide range of people across larger teams and communities, and being a security evangelist for the agency. Collaborate with central government departments, including DfT and Cabinet Office, and National Technical Authorities to ensure DVLA services align with cross-government security strategy and controls
- Identify and articulate complex and subtle security needs, including those driven by emerging threats and organisational risk appetite. Understand the impact of decisions, balancing requirements and deciding between approaches.
- Be the point of escalation for security consultants and projects.
- Lead the security design of systems and services, including the development and maintenance of security threat models (STRIDE) and design-level risk assessments to inform security controls. Including any vision, principles and strategy required for the project. Ensuring alignment to Secure by Design principles and government security standards.
- Support the development risk assessments for system and service designs, ensuring appropriate identification and calculation of threat, impact, attack vectors, initial and residual risk and proportionate control deployment commensurate with principles of defence in depth and breadth
For further information on the role, please read the attached role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only – whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.
Open Sessions
Would you like to find out more about the role, the team and what it’s like to work in our department? If so, we are organising an open session where you can virtually ‘meet the team’ on 25/06/26 at 12pm. Sign up here
Person specification
You will also hold the following skills and experience:
- Demonstrable experience of security architecture at scale, including threat modelling, risk assessment and the application of Secure by Design principles across complex government or regulated-sector programmes
- Strong ability to communicate complex technical security concepts clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leaders, programme boards and external stakeholders
- Proven track record of leading and influencing multidisciplinary teams, acting as a trusted point of escalation and providing strategic security direction across concurrent programmes and services
- Sound knowledge of security policy, standards and frameworks, including NCSC guidance
- Ability to identify, articulate and manage complex cyber security business risks in a proportionate manner, balancing organisational risk appetite and security economics with operational need and the principles of defence in depth
- Commitment to continuous professional development within the Government security profession, holding an existing relevant qualification such (CISSP, CISM, SABSA, ex-CLAS or equivalent)
Benefits
Passionate, reliable and always willing to push yourself and those around you, you’ll continue to seek improvement in your own role and challenge us too. Because we pride ourselves on how we approach your development. From training courses to specialist skills workshops and opportunities to grow your expertise, we thrive when you thrive. You can find out more about all of the above here alongside a full list of our 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
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
- Digital communities with clear career frameworks
- On-site gym plus personal training available (membership applies)
- On-site nursery, restaurant and coffee bar
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
- 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
- Free parking
There are many more opportunities and great benefits of working at DVLA, visit our Careers website for further information.
Additional Information
This role is part of the Government Digital and Data profession and utilises an enhanced Capability–Based Pay Framework which provides access to a Digital and Data allowance.
The base pay is £57,515. In addition to this the role includes a Digital and Data allowance of up to £24,915.
The value of allowance awarded will be based on an assessment of your skills and experience as demonstrated through the selection process. Here are more details on the pay framework.
At DVLA, licensing is just the start. Every project you implement, touch and deliver has a ripple effect that’ll wash across the nation. Here the work you’re doing has the capacity to change the way 50 million people interact with our services. As we aim to keep our roads some of the safest in the world, our innovative, transformative digital-led services help optimise a nation of individuals and business every single day.
To see how our people are transforming our digital services, head over to our DVLA Digital Services Blog and, to understand more about the great opportunities and benefits of working at DVLA read our Inside DVLA blog.
Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements
Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week. Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 35 hours per week.
This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.
The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.
If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).
Sponsorship
Please note that we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Licence sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Candidates must ensure they have the appropriate rights to work in the UK before application.
Security Checking
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check. To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out, candidates will be required to have at least 5 years continuous residency in the UK. All applicants for this role must ensure that they meet this minimum residency requirement – if you do not, your application will be withdrawn.
Artificial intelligence
How to apply:
The selection process for this role will be:
Stage 1: Sift of CV
Stage 2: Pre-recorded Video Interview
Stage 3: Interview & Presentation
You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.
Stage 1: Sift of CV
When submitting your CV, please provide detailed evidence of your experience of the following experience:
- Evidence of producing, maintaining and using threat models to support secure architecture and design decisions, ideally across multiple services or delivery phases.
- Evidence of securing a range of technologies, such as cloud, identity, networks, applications, data platforms, end-user services or integration services, using recognised security principles and patterns.
- Evidence of working with architects, engineers, product teams, cyber security colleagues and senior stakeholders to influence secure outcomes and manage security trade-offs.
This sift will take place week commencing 06/07/26.
Stage 2: Pre-recorded video interview
If your application is successful at sift, you will be invited to the first stage of the selection process, hosted by Inspire People. At this stage, you will be asked to complete a short, pre-recorded video assessment. You will be given a question and asked to provide a video response based on the experience points outlined in the essential criteria for this advert.
If you are successful at this stage, you will be invited to a final stage interview, which will include an assessment, conducted by DVLA Hiring Managers.
Stage 3: Interview & Presentation
At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles elements only:
Behaviours – Making Effective Decisions
Technical –
- Enabling and Informing Risk Based Decisions (Practitioner),
- Security Technology (Expert)
- Understanding Security Implications of Transformation (Practitioner)
- Information risk assessment and risk management (Working)
- Threat understanding (Working) Assessed as part of a Presentation
The interviews will take place week commencing 20/07/26
Please note that the Technical Elements of the role will be assessed against Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework (Skills) which you will be able to access here.
And also utilises some skills from the Secure Systems Architecture and Design role within the Government Security Profession.
This interview will be conducted in person at our DVLA Swansea office, Longview Road, Morriston, Swansea, SA67JL. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site (opens in a new window).
Further information on the selection process
Feedback on your application can only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
We will also hold a 12-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.
Security
Nationality requirements
Diversity and Inclusion
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Zymante Gintalaite (Zee)
- Email : zee@inspirepeople.net
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