Cyber Security Lead

We’re seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Cyber Security Lead to provide both strategic direction and hands‑on leadership for cyber security across the University. As a senior member of our Learning & Information Services (LIS) team, you will play a pivotal role in safeguarding our people, data, systems, and reputation - ensuring we can deliver secure teaching, research, and professional services.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape and influence the University’s ongoing digital transformation. You will help drive continued investment in our digital landscape and lead the development of a world‑class, safe, and secure environment for students, staff and the wider community.

We are looking for a creative leader who embraces innovation and leverages emerging technologies - including AI, to stay ahead in a fast‑moving and constantly evolving cyber security landscape.

The Cyber Security Lead will lead the University’s cyber security programme, shaping and delivering a proactive, risk-based security capability. Acting as the University’s cyber security subject-matter expert, you will bridge strategy and operational delivery, advising senior leaders on risk, threat, and assurance. Additionally the post-holder will lead a specialist cyber security team and work closely with digital, academic, and professional services colleagues to embed security by design across platforms, projects, and services.

About you:

We are seeking a proactive, visible, and highly credible individual with a proven track record in providing senior cyber or information security leadership and delivering a cyber security strategy with measurable outcomes. You will be confident engaging and influencing at senior and executive level and experienced in preventing the need but understanding how to lead or coordinate a cyber incident response.

You will have strong knowledge of cyber security and data protection legislation, a pragmatic, risk-based approach, and excellent communication skills, with a relevant professional accreditation (e.g. CISSP, CISM, ISO 27001 Lead Implementer), or an undergraduate degree or equivalent experience.

For further information, or to arrange a discussion about the role, please contact Chris Lakey - Head of IT Services and Operations.

We will be holding initial interviews via Teams during w/c 4 May and final interviews will be held on campus in Preston during w/c 11 May 2026.

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