At Places for People, we hire People, not numbers! So, if you like the sound of one of our jobs, please apply - you could be just who we're looking for! Of course, experience and track record are important, but we're more interested in hiring someone that embodies our People Promises. That's someone that does the right thing, is enthusiastic and motivated to grow, believes in Community spirit, is respectful and enjoys their work. As the UK's leading Social Enterprise we're dedicated to creating inclusive and thriving Communities for both our Customers and Employees.
So, what are you waiting for? Join a community that cares about you!
More about your role
As part of the second line of defence, the Enterprise Information Security Architect provides expert oversight and strategic challenge to ensure the organisation's systems, services, and technology programmes are secure by design.
This role acts as a trusted risk advisor to enterprise and solution architects, IT leaders, and change teams, ensuring that security, resilience, and data protection are embedded into architecture decisions from the outset. It provides independent assurance that technology solutions align with organisational policies, risk appetite, and regulatory obligations, helping to reduce exposure and build long-term security maturity.
Playing a key role in shaping information security architecture, governance, supporting secure design patterns, and guiding the organisation towards consistent, risk-informed decision-making.
The Essential Criteria for this role is listed below.
Proven experience in providing independent security or architectural assurance across IT change, enterprise architecture, or transformation programmes.
Strong understanding of secure-by-design and privacy-by-design principles, with the ability to challenge and guide design decisions against risk appetite.
Demonstrable knowledge of cyber and information security risks, including data protection, cloud security, and control assurance in complex environments.
Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with confidence to engage and influence architects, IT leadership, and governance forums.
Relevant professional certification (e.g. TOGAF, SABSA, CISSP, CISM) or equivalent experience in enterprise or security architecture within a risk or GRC function.
More about you
You're a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of architecture, cyber, or information security, and you know that secure design is fundamental to building trust, resilience, and business value. You're comfortable operating in the second line of defence, or a similar GRC function, and bring the confidence to challenge constructively, guide decision-making, and influence architectural outcomes.
You thrive on translating complex security risks into practical design principles and are comfortable navigating technical detail, governance forums, and business conversations alike. You understand the importance of aligning technology decisions with risk appetite and regulatory expectations, and you do so without blocking progress.
Above all, you bring credibility, clarity, and a calm, professional presence to fast-paced environments. You see the bigger picture, and you're motivated by helping the organisation make safer, smarter decisions, by design.
The Benefits
We are a large diverse and ambitious business, which will give you all the challenge you could wish for.
We know that there's always more we can do to make you smile, that's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package with each role, yours will include:
Competitive salary, with a salary review yearly
Pension with matched contributions up to 7%
Excellent holiday package – up to 35 days annual leave (including bank holidays) with the option to buy or sell leave
Cashback plan for healthcare costs – up to £500 saving per year
A bonus scheme for all colleagues at 2%
Training and development
Extra perks including huge discounts and offers from shops, cinemas and much more
What's next?
If you meet the criteria and are ready to make the next step in your career then click apply. You will be redirected to our careers site where you can discover more about the role, read a full job description and apply directly to us.
If you are a Places for People customer and you're looking for support with your application, please contact our skills and employment team on skillsemployment@placesforpeople.co.uk.
If you are a recruitment agency please note we operate a PSL and do not take cold calls
At Places for People, safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. We are committed to creating safe communities for our customers and colleagues by protecting children, young people, and adults at risk from harm, abuse, and neglect.
We follow robust safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring all employees, volunteers, and contractors uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and accountability. Our recruitment process includes pre-employment checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks where applicable, to promote a safe and secure working environment.
By joining Places for People, you are expected to contribute to our safeguarding culture, following our policies and reporting concerns to protect those in our communities.