Principal Security Risk Assurance Manager

Principal Security Risk Assurance Manager Location Birmingham, Blackpool, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Sheffield. Base pay range This post also currently attracts a Recruitment and Retention Allowance of £7,000 per annum. Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provided pay range: This range is provided by Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more. About the job DWP is seeking a Principal Security Risk Assurance Manager to drive Supply Chain Security excellence across one of the UK’s largest public service departments. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions, and child maintenance policy. We deliver a range of critical services to approximately 20 million customers. In this influential role, you will deliver impartial, expert insight to senior leaders and stakeholders, ensuring that strategic Supply Chain Security risks are identified, understood, and effectively managed. This is your opportunity to make a real impact, embed data‑driven assurance, and strengthen resilience across vital public services. You will lead the Supply Chain Security function in DWP’s Security & Data Protection (S&DP) directorate, one of the largest security teams in government. We are responsible for delivering a wide range of specialist security services, solutions, and capability to DWP’s 80,000 staff, Arm’s Length and Public Bodies, and industry partners to ensure the secure and resilient delivery of welfare services. We are a huge organisation. That means a real variety of work, challenge, and opportunity. And we strongly believe that diversity and inclusion is not only the right thing to do but is also essential for a thriving and successful organisation. We know that diverse teams bring a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and ideas, which lead to better decision‑making, creativity, and innovation. We have a culture where differences are celebrated and our people feel supported, included, and empowered. Join us and be part of an organisation at the leading edge of government security that truly values diversity and inclusion and makes a real‑world positive impact. As the Principal Security Risk Assurance Manager, you will play a critical role in safeguarding DWP’s services by directing the security posture of suppliers. You will lead the identification and analysis of Supply Chain risks, translating complex data and threat intelligence into clear, actionable insights for decision‑makers. Working closely with commercial, delivery, and security teams, you will strengthen resilience, ensure compliance, and protect sensitive assets across a diverse supplier landscape. Your work will directly support strategic assurance efforts and help shape a proactive, risk‑aware culture across DWP and its partners. Responsibilities Your responsibilities will include: Strategic and team leadership Security assurance of the Supply Chain Data‑driven security risk analysis We welcome applications from skilled and knowledgeable security professionals and can support you in gaining relevant qualifications and certifications (such as ISO27005 Risk Manager, certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT) or CompTIA+) if you do not already hold them. Given the geographic spread of our team, DWP customers, cross‑government stakeholders, and industry suppliers, you will need to be willing to travel to other DWP locations, with regular overnight stays required. Leadership and delivery Direct the development of Supply Chain Security Assurance business strategies for DWP Demonstrate leadership through action, visibly and confidently engaging internal colleagues and stakeholders to support and deliver effective security risk and assurance capabilities Thriving in a challenging environment, working to tight deadlines while prioritising a large and varied workload Collaborate with external stakeholders to ensure assurance, risk and Supply Chain Security activities are joined up and meet stakeholder needs and deliver positive outcomes. Commercial practice and Supply Chain Security Assurance Comprehensive knowledge and experience of commercial practice, preferably in a public sector context Demonstrate knowledge and experience of third‑party supplier security assurance methodologies and associate standards and certifications Excellent understanding of security controls and how they link to security outcomes. Comprehensive understanding of the principles of Risk Management and a proven record of accomplishment of working on Risk Management Extensive technical understanding of Security Risk Management processes and controls Effective decision‑making, demonstrate the ability to translate evidence, available data, and experience into clear, accurate and professional decisions. Engagement and communication Provide strategic direction for DWP and its Arm’s Length Bodies, in relation to Supply Chain Security Assurance Actively engage and manage stakeholder relationships at Director and Executive Team level Communicate and influence stakeholders, including the Director General, Executive Team, and Board, to elevate key priorities and drive cross‑government outcomes Excellent communication skills and the ability to engage and negotiate easily and confidently with stakeholders at all levels. Benefits Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term‑time working, flexi‑time and compressed hours. Employer pension contributions of 28.97% Generous annual leave – at least 26 days on entry, increasing up to 31 days over time (pro‑rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave. Support for financial wellbeing, including interest‑free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme. Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first‑class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly). Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service. Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes. An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more. Apply Click Apply now for more information and to start an application. Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level Employment type: Full‑time Job function: Finance and Management Industries: Government Administration and Security and Investigations Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) by 2x. #J-18808-Ljbffr