Lead AI Security Specialist

Job summary

We are recruiting for a Lead AI Security Specialist to join our Cyber Security team.

The Cyber Security Team sits within Technology in the Digital and Information Directorate. The team leads the delivery of Ofsted’s cyber security strategy, ensuring security practices across the organisation are appropriately governed and comply with internal and central government policy, regulatory requirements and recognised security standards. We also provide oversight and assurance to ensure security risks are clearly understood and effectively mitigated.

This role plays an essential part in ensuring that AI systems used across Ofsted are secure, resilient, and compliant. The postholder will provide expert cyber security guidance across projects and programmes, working closely with cross‑functional teams to identify risks, design appropriate controls and ensure compliance with policy and standards. You will act as a subject‑matter expert on AI security, supporting the safe adoption of emerging technologies while maintaining robust governance and assurance.

This role requires Security Check (SC) clearance. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be willing and able to obtain and maintain SC clearance.

This is a fantastic opportunity to further your experience in Ofsted’s well-established team. The post holder will work with high-achieving professionals at all levels, surrounded by a friendly and supportive team. They will have access to amazing benefits, such as flexible working hours, the Civil Service Pension Scheme, and 32.5 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays. We offer a hybrid working model, so you may also choose to spend a proportion of time working from home.

Job description

Please refer to the job specification for further information.

Person specification

Please refer to the job specification for further information.

Qualifications

Appropriate security qualification e.g. CISSP, CCSP, CISM or equivalent demonstrable experience.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Knowledge and practical experience of application and data security including LLMs, GenAI and Agentic AI; familiarity with OWASP LLM Top 10.
• Knowledge and practical experience of applying information security standards, GDPR and other related legislation and frameworks.
• Strong understanding of cloud security across common cloud platforms, patterns and services, particularly Microsoft Azure.
• Practical experience of threat modelling using industry standard methodologies (e.g. MITRE, STRIDE).
• Practical experience of the UK government’s Secure by Design approach and/or the NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework.
• Practical experience of working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders, managing conflicting priorities and successfully delivering work activities.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain difficult concepts clearly and concisely to a range of stakeholders.

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• Knowledge and practical experience of application and data security including LLMs, GenAI and Agentic AI; familiarity with OWASP LLM Top 10.
• Knowledge and practical experience of applying information security standards, GDPR and other related legislation and frameworks.
• Strong understanding of cloud security across common cloud platforms, patterns and services, particularly Microsoft Azure.
• Practical experience of threat modelling using industry standard methodologies (e.g. MITRE, STRIDE).
• Practical experience of the UK government’s Secure by Design approach and/or the NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £69,322, Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills contributes £20,082 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Full details of the benefits available can be found in our Ofsted Offer brochure.

Ofsted is devoted to equality, diversity and inclusion. Within our Ofsted Strategy 2023-2027 we have stated that we will improve the representation of under-represented groups across the organisation and publish our progress on this annually. We are always looking to expand on our diverse workforce by recruiting candidates from varied backgrounds and differing experiences. We are proud to be a Disability Confident – Leader, we continually engage with our 5 staff networks for protected characteristics, and highlight the work of our Equalities,Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Group. We ensure all candidates are treated with fair and open competition, with all appointments being made on merit and we use our Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) to provide assurance to all candidates of this.

Ofsted is committed to maintaining employee health and wellbeing, whether it is physically, emotionally, financially or socially, and offers a range of benefits to support employees in this. Such benefits include the option to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme, professional and personal development opportunities, 32.5 annual leave days per annum (plus eight days public holiday) and access to counselling and advisory services.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

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

Application and Shortlisting:

The selection panel will assess your application based on your evidence you have provided against the essential/desirable criteria as set out in the job specification.

Use the STAR model (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to present your evidence.

You will also be asked to provide information within the “Employer/Activity History” section of the application form. This information is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV setting out your career history (this may be used in the sifting process).

Assessment and Interview:

Candidates who pass the benchmark at the shortlist stage will