Group Head of Cyber Security

Across the Zellis Group, we build and operate technology that supports people at every stage of their working lives — from Payroll and HR to benefits, pensions and long‑term financial wellbeing. Our platforms and services are used by millions of employees across the UK, processing highly sensitive personal and financial data and underpinning business‑critical activity for our customers every day.

The role:

We’re looking for a Group Head of Cyber Security with an AI /Automation first mentality to lead the technical cyber security capability across the Zellis Group. Reporting into senior leadership, you’ll have end‑to‑end accountability for cyber security strategy and its technical execution — spanning architecture, tooling, engineering controls and operational security.

This role requires a leader who is technically credible, hands‑on by nature, and comfortable operating at depth across cloud infrastructure, SaaS platforms and modern development environments. You’ll influence how security is designed into our technology, while providing clear leadership across security engineering and operations.

What you’ll be doing:

• Owning and delivering the Group cyber security strategy with a strong technical and engineering focus.
• Championing an AI‑ and automation‑first approach, continuously challenging existing ways of working to drive efficiency, scale and smarter outcomes.
• Acting as the senior technical authority for cyber security, setting standards, patterns and controls across the Group.
• Defining and overseeing security architecture across cloud platforms, SaaS applications, identity and data.
• Embedding security‑by‑design across product development, platform engineering and operational services.
• Leading threat detection, response, vulnerability management and security monitoring capabilities.
• Ensuring security tooling, processes and controls scale in line with platform growth and complexity.
• Partnering closely with Product, Cloud and Engineering leaders to balance speed, resilience and risk.
• Building and leading a high‑performing technical cyber security function.

What we’re looking for:

You’ll be a senior cyber security leader with strong technical depth, able to operate confidently with architects, engineers and platform teams, while influencing senior stakeholders.

We’re particularly interested in candidates who bring:

• Proven experience leading technical cyber security teams in complex technology organisations.
• Strong hands‑on knowledge of cloud security, SaaS platforms, infrastructure, application and identity security.
• Experience designing and operating security controls within modern DevOps or product‑led environments.
• A track record of translating technical risk into clear, pragmatic decisions at executive level.
• A collaborative, delivery‑focused mindset suited to fast‑moving technology organisations.

Why Zellis?

• A role with genuine influence at Group level.
• Purpose‑driven work protecting millions of employees’ data.
• Flexible, hybrid working that supports work–life balance.
• Competitive salary, bonus and benefits package.
• A trusted, collaborative culture where your expertise is valued.

• Unstoppable together.
• Always learning.
• Make it count.
• Think scale.

Our people are critical to our ongoing success; we’re proud of our inclusive culture that gives you the platform to grow, challenge the status quo and play a crucial role in further enhancing our market position as the leading provider of HR & Payroll software and services. With Zellis you’ll have the chance to stretch and challenge yourself in an environment that’s varied, flexible and hugely supportive.

We also love to reward and recognise our brilliant colleagues. As part of your benefits package, you’ll receive:

• A competitive base salary, cash car allowance and bonus package.
• 25 days annual leave, plus your birthday off and the opportunity to buy additional holiday.
• Private medical insurance.
• Life assurance 4x salary.
• Enhanced pension scheme with company contributions up to 8.5%.
• A huge range of additional flexible benefits across financial & personal wellbeing, lifestyle & leisure.