Head of Cyber Security

Protect the technical foundation that enables vital support, research, and hope for people affected by dementia. What if your cybersecurity expertise could safeguard the services, research, and sensitive information that supports 900,000 people living with dementia across the UK?

Why this role is important:

As Head of Cybersecurity, you'll be the guardian of Alzheimer's Society's technology ecosystem. In a role where trust is everything, you'll develop and lead our cybersecurity strategy, ensuring that the systems powering our support services, research programmes, and advocacy work remain secure, resilient, and compliant.

Every day, vulnerable people trust us with their most personal information. Families reach out for support during their darkest moments. Researchers depend on secure infrastructure to advance vital dementia science. Your work will protect these relationships and enable our mission to continue without compromise.

You'll be part of our Technology directorate, reporting to the Associate Director of IT and joining our Technology Leadership team. Working collaboratively across the organisation, you'll translate complex security challenges into clear strategies that enable colleagues to work safely and confidently, knowing that the systems and data they rely on are protected by best-in-class security practices.

This is also a leadership role where you'll build and develop a high-performing cybersecurity team, creating a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and shared accountability. Together, you'll role-model best practice, stay ahead of emerging threats, and embed security awareness throughout the Society.

About you:

You're an experienced cybersecurity leader who understands that excellent security combines technical rigour with strategic thinking and clear communication. You're comfortable working across organisational boundaries, translating technical complexity into business context, and building trust with stakeholders at every level.

You'll have:

• Significant experience in information security management, risk assessment, and incident response.
• Proven experience ensuring regulatory compliance, particularly with GDPR, NHS Toolkit, and PCI-DSS, as well as alignment with recognised cybersecurity frameworks such as NIST and information security standards like ISO27001.
• Proven track record in cloud security, network security, and security architecture design.
• Knowledge of penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and security technologies.
• Experience building and leading high-performing security teams, guiding them through change with compassion.
• Excellent communication abilities, translating technical detail into clear business insights for stakeholders at every level.

What you'll focus on:

• Developing and executing a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy aligned with our mission and risk appetite, serving as a trusted advisor to senior leadership across the Society.
• Leading and developing a talented team of cybersecurity professionals, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
• Conducting thorough risk assessments, implementing effective controls, and ensuring full compliance with GDPR, NHS requirements, and relevant security standards.
• Overseeing security technologies and collaborating with Technology teams to integrate security throughout our infrastructure, including regular security testing across all IT services.
• Developing and maintaining comprehensive incident response and disaster recovery plans, monitoring systems for breaches and investigating suspicious activities.
• Building cybersecurity awareness programmes across the Society, fostering a security-conscious culture where everyone understands their role in protection.

Are you ready to...

Lead cybersecurity for one of the UK's largest charities, ensuring the systems and data that support people affected by dementia remain secure and trusted?

Build a team that's valued not just for their technical expertise, but for their ability to enable the Society's mission through strategic security leadership?

• Deadline for applications: Sunday 15th February 2026
• Interviews: Candidates will take part in a four-stage interview process across the end of February and early March 2026 where they'll get to meet a variety of colleagues and stakeholders.

There will be a scenario-based exercise as part of the interview process.

About Alzheimer's Society

Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime.

At Alzheimer’s Society, we’re the UK’s leading dementia charity and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by giving help and hope to people living with dementia today and in the future. We give vital support to people facing the most frightening times of their lives, while also funding groundbreaking research and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be.

Together with our supporters, we’re working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.

Our values make sure that our focus is clear for the challenges and opportunities ahead and remind us of what we all stand for.

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who are from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.

We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Alzheimer's Society.

Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee forum and Employee Lived Experience network groups help us promote inclusion and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people.

Our hiring process

During your recruitment process we want to make sure that you bring your whole self and can be at your best. We are working hard to ensure our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible, so please do inform us of your experience and anything you think we could do better by completing our candidate survey when you apply.Please also contact Alzheimer’s Society Talent Acquisition Team for application support or any adjustments you might need.

To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value it truly adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to showcase them in your own voice.

We try to avoid closing roles early where possible, however if we receive a high volume of applications, we may close earlier than the advertised closing date. Should this occur, we will aim to provide you with at least 48 hours' notice.

We are committed to safer recruitment and ensuring the welfare of those we work with, due to the nature of some of our roles, we might need to carry out a DBS check at the relevant level.

Giving back to you

Our employees work hard every day to make a true difference in people's lives. We are proud to support them with a range of benefits, recognition and many options for working agilely, all contributing to a strong work life balance. We also have various learning programmes to support you in your development and help you grow to realise your potential and shape a career with Alzheimer's Society.

You can also visit our Working for Us pages, which give you more information about what it’s like to be an employee at the Society.

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