Lead Security & Operations Architect at Realtime Recruitment Ltd, Milton Keynes, 12 Months, £Contract Rate

Lead Security & Operations Architect - 12-Month Day-Rate Contract

Location: Milton Keynes, UK, with 2-3 days onsite per week.

IR35 status: Outside IR35.

Contract: Initial 12 months, day-rate contract, with possibility of extension.

Realtime is exclusively working with a leading organisation on an exciting greenfield project that will impact millions of UK households.

We are looking for an experienced Security Architect with a strong background in operational resilience, cloud security and security operations architecture to lead security-by-design and operational readiness across a complex technology environment.

Requirements:

• Significant experience as a Security Architect, Security Operations Architect or similar senior technical leadership role
• Strong experience designing security controls across complex cloud and enterprise environments
• Expertise in security architecture, identity and access management, network security, API security and data protection
• Practical experience with SIEM/XDR/MDR integration, security monitoring, incident response and vulnerability management
• Strong understanding of operational resilience, service readiness, observability and disaster recovery
• Experience with Microsoft Azure security and operations, including Entra ID, Azure Policy, networking, logging and monitoring
• Proven experience leading architecture reviews and working across multiple suppliers and technical teams
• Experience in business-critical, regulated or complex enterprise environments

Desirable experience:

• Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Sentinel and Azure Monitor
• CrowdStrike or similar EDR/XDR platforms
• ServiceNow ITSM or Security Operations
• Kubernetes/AKS, API Management and Azure landing zones
• Knowledge of security frameworks such as NIST CSF, ISO 27001, CIS Controls or MITRE ATT&CK

Candidates must hold Valid EU or UK passport.