Job Description
Associate Director, Platform Security Architecture
Department: Cyber Services and Capabilities
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: GBR Manchester Hardman Boulevard
Reporting To: Ronnie Miller
This leadership role is responsible for shaping and driving the Platform and Security Architecture strategy across all platforms that have commercial or revenue impact, including those that are client-facing or used in the delivery of billable services.
The Associate Director will lead the adoption of architectural standards across professional and managed services platforms, driving improvements in platform resilience, security, scalability, innovation, customer confidence, presales success, and operational efficiency.
Acting as a recognised subject matter expert in cyber platform engineering, cloud security, and advanced detection technologies, the role will provide strategic technology leadership, influence platform evolution, and guide key business decisions across engineering, operations, product, and commercial functions.
A key part of the role is collaborating with senior stakeholders to:
- Define and govern architectural standards across professional and managed services platforms.
- Drive platform innovation and the adoption of emerging technologies, including AI and machine learning.
- Improve platform resilience, scalability, and security.
- Shape long-term technology strategy aligned to business objectives.
- Increase operational efficiency and customer value through platform transformation.
- Support strategic client engagements and presales opportunities with senior-level technical assurance.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and govern architectural standards for professional and managed service platforms, ensuring a unified, scalable, and secure technology foundation.
- Maintain strong partnerships with internal technology and security teams to ensure architecture decisions align with enterprise standards and governance requirements.
- Lead high-complexity customer workshops spanning consulting, implementation, technical assurance, and managed services.
- Support strategic sales opportunities by providing authoritative architectural guidance and technical assurance.
- Shape platform strategy across managed services environments, cyber tooling ecosystems, and operational platforms.
- Partner with senior leadership to define and deliver long-term technology strategy and innovation roadmaps.
- Evaluate and integrate emerging technologies, including AI/ML-enhanced detection, workflow automation, and next-generation platform engineering capabilities.
- Design secure multi-tenant architectures, cloud-native solutions, integration frameworks, and advanced telemetry platforms.
- Develop reference architectures, engineering frameworks, and design patterns used across engineering and cyber defence teams.
- Provide technical leadership and guidance on platform design, infrastructure-as-code, security controls, and platform hardening best practices.
- Drive the maturity of AI-powered workflows, including detection generation, anomaly analysis, automated response, and operational optimisation initiatives.
- Provide senior-level architectural advisory support across engineering, operations, product, commercial, and executive functions.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
- Significant experience defining and leading global engineering and platform strategies within professional services and managed services environments.
- Strong experience with enterprise technologies and platforms such as Microsoft, Splunk, ServiceNow, Cyber security tooling, and large-scale operational or automation platforms.
- Experience designing and governing secure, scalable cloud and platform architectures.
- Strong planning, organisational, and prioritisation skills.
- Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building capabilities.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across multiple teams.
- High attention to detail and commitment to quality.
- Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- Experience with AI, machine learning, and automation technologies within cyber security and platform engineering environments.
- Experience supporting customer-facing architecture engagements and strategic presales activities.
- Expertise in cyber platform engineering, cloud security, and advanced detection technologies.
Job Benefits
We have a high-performance culture which is balanced evenly with world-class wellbeing initiatives and benefits:
-
Flexible Working – Balance your work and personal life with our flexible working options.
-
Enhanced Holiday Allowance – Enjoy 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays, with the option to buy up to 5 additional days.
- Medicash & Critical Illness Scheme
-
Financial & Investment Benefits – Pension, Life Assurance and Share Save Scheme.
-
Community & Volunteering Programmes – Opportunities to make a difference through volunteering.
-
Green Car Scheme – Drive greener while saving money.
-
Cycle Scheme – Support for cycling to work and staying active.
-
Special Time Off – Additional leave for key life moments, including marriage/civil partnership, becoming a grandparent, and welcoming a new pet.
-
Family Planning Support – Generous maternity and paternity leave, plus support for fertility treatment.
