Principal Security Specialist

Ofgem is Great Britain’s independent energy regulator - a critical role that puts us at the forefront of cyber security, ensuring public data is safe and secure and that we set the standard for the energy industry. We’re looking for a Principal Security Specialist (IT/OT) to join and lead the design, assessment, and implementation of innovative security solutions and associated guidance aimed at protecting critical systems. This work aligns with our core mission: to deliver a fair, sustainable, and secure energy future.

This a permanent role within our Cyber Guidance & Monitoring (G&M) team, which sits within Ofgem’s Cyber and Emerging Technologies Directorate. The G&M team focus on ensuring resilience is built into systems run by energy operators who control the UK’s energy infrastructure. We do this as part of our role as Joint Competent Authority (“CA”) for the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018 (“NIS Regulations”). We provide 1-2-1 and sector-wide advice and guidance to operators throughout their security journeys, seeking to build greater collective industry resilience. We are very fortunate to be able to help influence and shape the security and resilience of a whole sector (specifically, the Downstream Gas and Electricity sector).

As an expert in the field, you’ll lead high-profile security improvement projects, engaging with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to shape security posture, implementing best practice in line with National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) guidance. This is a chance to be at the forefront of innovation and meaningful change, championing secure by design principles and influencing digital strategies that benefit millions. This role provides a rare opportunity to combine technical expertise with strategic leadership – and it’s an exciting time to join us!

At Ofgem, we offer more than just a job – we provide a supportive and flexible working environment designed to help you thrive. With hybrid working arrangements, newly refurbished offices in central London, Glasgow, or Cardiff, and a generous rewards package that includes excellent professional learning and development opportunities (including access to potential higher education funding – subject to review), you’ll find everything you need to excel both professionally and personally.

For further details on the role and on our hybrid working arrangement, please read the candidate pack and other documents below.

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) (opens in a new window)
• 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 (opens in a new window)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

When you press the ‘Apply now’ button, you will be asked to complete personal details (not seen by the sift panel), your career history and qualifications.

You will then be asked to provide a 1250 word ‘personal statement’ evidencing how you meet the essential skills and capabilities listed in the role profile. Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your supporting statement, how you meet each of the criteria listed in the role profile. In the event of receiving a large number of applications, an initial sift may take place on just the lead criteria indicated in the essential criteria.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected, you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by [https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn].

At Ofgem, we expect our staff to carry out their roles with honesty, fairness and openness. They should follow the Civil Service code and be free from any influence or bias. We are committed to making sure interests are recognised, declared and managed appropriately so that we can fulfil our duties as an energy regulator. Our Conflicts of Interest policy outlines the types of interests Ofgem staff must declare before onboarding, and the rules they must follow throughout employment so that we can clearly demonstrate that our decisions are not influenced by private interests.

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