hackajob is collaborating with Holland & Barrett to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role.

Head of Security Engineering

At Holland & Barrett, we are a 200-year-old startup that has undergone a radical

digital transformation. Our technology landscape is a complex, hybrid ecosystem

spanning modern cloud platforms, corporate IT systems, and a vast network of

operational technology (OT) across our retail stores and factories. We are seeking a

visionary and strategic Head of Security to lead our entire technical security function,

protecting our business from code to customer.

The Ambition

Our goal is to build and mature a holistic, intelligence-driven security program that

provides unified protection across our diverse technology estate. This means

securing our primary cloud platform on AWS and a smaller footprint in Azure,

embedding security into our application development lifecycle, and hardening our

corporate IT infrastructure. It also involves extending robust security controls to our

unique operational technology, including in-house and modern tills, handheld

devices, and other systems that power our stores and factories. We aim to create a

resilient and agile security posture that enables innovation while defending against

sophisticated threats.

The Role

As the Head of Security, you will be the senior leader responsible for the vision,

strategy, and execution of our entire security engineering and operations program.

You will lead a multi-disciplinary organisation encompassing Security Engineering,

Application Security, Cloud Security, and IT/OT Security. This is a pivotal leadership

role that requires a deep understanding of both modern cloud-native security and the

unique challenges of securing physical retail and operational environments. You will

be the principal architect of our defence-in-depth strategy, responsible for protecting

all digital and technical assets of the company.

What You'll Do

You will define and execute a comprehensive security strategy and roadmap that

addresses the full spectrum of our technological risks. You will lead, mentor, and

scale our security teams, fostering a culture of engineering excellence, collaboration,

and continuous improvement. You will provide strategic oversight for our cloud

security program, ensuring the secure configuration and operation of our AWS and

Azure environments. You will champion our application security program, maturing

our secure software development lifecycle (SDLC) from threat modeling to secure

deployment. You will also develop and implement a robust security framework for our

IT and OT environments, creating a unified approach to securing everything from

corporate networks to in-store handheld devices and tills. You will partner with

executive leadership, technology peers, and business stakeholders to ensure

security is a key consideration in all strategic initiatives.

What You'll Bring

Extensive experience in a senior security leadership role (e.g., Head of

Security, Director of Security Engineering) with a proven track record of

building and leading high-performing, multi-disciplinary security teams.

Broad and deep expertise across multiple security domains, including Security

Engineering, Application Security, Cloud Security, and IT Security.

Specific experience developing and implementing security strategies for both

major cloud platforms (AWS strongly preferred, Azure is a plus) and

physical/operational environments (retail, IoT, or OT).

Demonstrable experience securing a complex, hybrid environment that

includes both modern, cloud-native applications and legacy or in-house

systems.

Strong strategic planning capabilities, with the ability to create and execute a

long-term security roadmap that aligns with business objectives.

Exceptional leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence

and build consensus at all levels of the organization, from engineers to the

executive board.

A pragmatic and business-oriented approach to security, with a focus on

enabling the business while managing risk effectively.

Why Holland & Barrett?

This is a unique opportunity to lead the entire technical security function for a

globally recognized brand with a uniquely complex and challenging technology

footprint. You will have the autonomy to shape the future of security at Holland &

Barrett, with the resources and executive support to build a best-in-class program.

We offer a competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits package, and a flexible

working environment. If you are a strategic and transformational security leader

excited by the challenge of protecting a diverse, hybrid enterprise, we would love to

hear from you.