Head of Cyber Security

Alzheimers Society

Hours
35 hours per week

About the Organisation

Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia charity, and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by providing 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 ensure that our focus remains clear for the challenges and opportunities ahead, reminding us of what we all stand for.

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

Strategy and Leadership:

• Develop and execute a robust cybersecurity strategy aligned with the Society’s business strategy, objectives, and risk appetite.
• Build and lead a high-performing team of cybersecurity professionals, providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for growth, continuous improvement, and innovation
• Collaborate effectively with stakeholders across directorates to align data and digital solutions with broader business goals.
• Regularly communicate progress, challenges, and achievements to senior leadership and relevant stakeholders.
• Report on cybersecurity matters directly to the Associate Director IT, CTO, and ELT.

Risk and Compliance:

• Perform regular risk assessments and implement appropriate controls and mitigations to identified threats.
• Ensure the Society systems, information and data is compliance with regulations including GDPR, NHS, ICS, and protections toolkit, and other relevant standards.
• Establish and maintain robust data governance frameworks, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and protecting sensitive information
• Develop, implement, and maintain incident response and disaster recovery plans.

Technical Oversight:

• Oversee the implementation and maintenance of security technologies, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption tools.
• Monitor systems for security breaches and investigate suspicious activities
• Work and collaborate with teams Technology teams to ensure security is integrated into all aspects of the Society’s technology infrastructure within all directorates.
• Work with architecture teams to design and implement scalable, secure, and user-centric digital and data architectures to support business needs.
• Security oversight of technology projects to ensure they adhere to timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
• Work with parent and supplier Cybersecurity teams to ensure that all data, digital systems, and processes adhere to industry best practices for security and compliance.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and stakeholders across the organisation, providing expert guidance on matters of data and technology security.
• Plan and manage regular security testing across our IT services.

Awareness and Training:

• Develop and deliver cybersecurity awareness programs across society
• Keep informed of emerging threats and technologies in the cybersecurity environment.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Skills & Knowledge:

• Information security management system experience
• Risk management and assessment
• 3+ years’ experience in IT security management roles
• Incident response and investigation
• Regulatory compliance (GDPR)
• Regulatory compliance (NHS toolkit)
• Cloud Security
• Network Security
• Penetration testing and vulnerability assessment
• A security architecture design
• Data protection and privacy
• Cybersecurity frameworks (NIST and ISO27001)
• NHS Digital Security
• Vendor Management
• Software development languages
• AI and ML cybersecurity
• IOT security 
• Project Management 
• Presentation skills

Competencies & Personal Attributes:

• Team player, supporting colleagues when there are deadlines, and knows when to ask for help themselves.
• Self-starter and incredibly motivated.
• Excellent organisational and timekeeping skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to lead teams through periods of change and ambiguity in a compassionate way.
• Non-judgmental communication
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility internally and externally
• Commitment to and understanding of equal opportunities and experience of championing diversity & inclusion across the business.
• Understanding of the inclusion agenda and its relevance within a diverse society 

Compensation & Benefits

• Paid dependants leave
• Paid compassionate and bereavement leave
• Paid time off work to support
• Annual leave of 27 days, increasing to 30, plus bank holidays
• Career breaks of up to 3 months
• Flexible working
• Wellbeing leave
• Values Hero and Society Legend Awards
• Group Personal Pension Plan
• Scottish Widows - with up to 8% employer contribution rate
• Life Assurance Scheme - two times your annual salary
• Health Cash Plan
• Home Allowance of £312 per year
• Discounted gym membership with Society Plus
• Mental health app and unlimited therapy
• Women in Leadership Development Programme
• Leadership development programme
• Financial support towards relevant professional qualifications, enhanced family leave - 16 weeks paid for all parents
• Paid time off work for fertility treatments for both partners, paid carers' leave

Working locations

• Home-Based

How to apply

• Apply to our website
• Please also contact Alzheimer’s Society Talent Acquisition Team via [email protected] for application support or any adjustments you might need.

Interviews

• Interviews: Candidates will take part in a four-stage interview process at the end of February and early March 2026, where they'll get to meet a variety of colleagues and stakeholders.

Policies

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 identify as Black, Asian, or 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, helps us promote inclusion and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people.

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