Please note a full application including a covering letter detailing your experience alongside a CV is required for applications to be considered. Please be advised applications made without providing a cover letter will not be accepted.

Background of department/role

Join our architecture team to shape pragmatic, secure-by-design digital services that enable innovation and resilience across our university community.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a newly transformed Digital function and play a leading role in designing secure, resilient and future-ready digital services across the University.

As our Digital Solutions Architect (Cyber Security), you will take end-to-end ownership of enterprise security architecture across identity, cloud platforms, hybrid infrastructure, networks, integrations, applications, and data. Working as an architectural peer alongside Domain Architects in Networks, Platforms, Data, and End-User Computing (EUC), you will ensure security is embedded collaboratively from inception. In Higher Education, security cannot operate in a silo or rely on rigid textbook policies and multi-million-pound tooling budgets; this role requires an embedded, delivery-focused architect who makes proportionate, risk-managed design decisions across a diverse academic and enterprise environment.

This role would suit an experienced Security Architect, Solutions Architect, Technical Architect or senior security professional looking to influence strategic technology decisions within a large and complex organisation.

You will act as a key delivery enabler moving security "shift-left" by co-authoring reusable reference architectures, zero-trust patterns, and lightweight guardrails for agile project and product teams. You will also lead architectural resilience against ransomware threats, design business-layer disaster recovery, and drive compliance with Cyber Essentials Plus and other appropriate standards.

To be successful in this role you will be an experienced architecture professional with a strong understanding of cyber security principles, security governance and enterprise technology. You will be comfortable working with both technical and non-technical stakeholders and capable of translating security requirements into practical, proportionate solutions that support organisational objectives.

You will be qualified to degree level (or equivalent senior professional standard) in Computer Science, Cyber Security, or a related IT discipline, with extensive experience designing and assuring security architectures across cloud (Azure/M365), hybrid, and SaaS environments. Experience of identity and access management, security risk assessment, threat modelling and security governance is essential.

You must be able to demonstrate practical depth in Identity and Access Management (IAM/PAM), threat modelling, and security-by-design principles, The ability to translate technical risk into clear business context for senior academic and professional stakeholders is also an essential requirement.

Desirable requirements: Relevant professional security or architecture certifications (e.g., CISSP, TOGAF, SABSA, Microsoft Security certifications) and prior experience working within Higher Education, the public sector, or another complex regulated environment would also be advantageous

About Digital at Canterbury Christ Church University

Digital Services has recently undergone a significant transformation to create dedicated Digital Services, Digital Products, Digital Security and Digital Solutions functions. We are investing in modern digital platforms, identity services, enterprise architecture, data capabilities, automation and service management to support the University's Vision 2030 ambitions.

You will join a collaborative architecture team working across major initiatives including identity modernisation, enterprise service management, data platform development, AI adoption, security improvement programmes and large-scale institutional transformation projects.

How will you work?

We are committed to supporting flexible methods of working wherever possible. Campus attendance will vary on a day-to-day basis and across the year but must purposefully align to the needs of our students, staff, and stakeholders. It is expected that there will be a relatively even balance between time spent on and off campus; but in most cases the work location will be determined by the service required or the tasks/activities being undertaken.

How to apply

Start date for applications: 22/09/26
Closing date for applications: 26/10/26
Interviews are to be held: w/c 2/11/26

If you require further information regarding the post please feel free to contact marco.orlando@canterbury.ac.uk (strictly no agencies, thank you) quoting reference number JOB REF REQ06462

Please note, Canterbury Christ Church University reserve the right to bring the closing date of this position forward where a high volume of applications is received.

Benefits of Working at CCCU

Canterbury Christ Church University is located in the world-famous Cathedral city amongst stunning history and heritage. Canterbury is a thriving international destination, with many students and staff choosing to study and work here, making this historic, cosmopolitan city vibrant and culturally diverse.

Our staff enjoy competitive salaries and a great working environment with a number of benefits ranging from the occupational pension scheme to use of the University’s facilities including the library and fitness centre. We are strongly committed to equality and recognise the value of a diverse workforce.

We offer generous holiday entitlements plus eight bank and public holidays, as well as discretionary days over the Christmas period.

Additional Information

Canterbury Christ Church University truly welcomes fresh perspectives and new voices. We want you to bring the real you to work, so we are committed to building a genuinely inclusive working environment where everyone is welcomed and where everyone can have a true sense of belonging. Our spirit of community will help us to eliminate discrimination and will enable us all to thrive in a culture that is underpinned by fairness and justice. We therefore seek people to join us who will proactively support and shape this aim and contribute in their own unique way. If this is you, then we are waiting to hear from you. #yourCCCU

Our University is deeply committed to shaping sustainable futures as a key part of its mission and values. If you share this passion, we encourage you to join us in making CCCU a more socially and environmentally conscious, sustainable place to study and work

Employment Visa Clarification: According to the UK Government Points Based System, this position may not fulfil the requirements for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Route application.

Please note applications must be made online via the University website; details sent directly via email cannot be considered.

Prior consideration will be given to applicants in the University’s redeployment pool. No agencies, thank you.

For more information about this role, please view the job description via the attachments link above.