Security Design Consultant

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Security Design Consultant

Company: Lloyds Banking Group

Location: Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester, or Bristol (United Kingdom)

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Security Operations / GTM Security Consulting

Date Posted: 2026-08-18

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is crucial for integrating security principles into the design and development lifecycle of new and existing systems within Lloyds Banking Group.

• The Security Design Consultant will be responsible for developing comprehensive security architectures and documenting controls to mitigate identified risks.

• A key aspect involves collaborating with technical and non-technical stakeholders to ensure security requirements are understood and implemented effectively across the change portfolio.

• The position requires a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating threats and vulnerabilities, ensuring the bank's operational environment remains secure against evolving cyber threats.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Security Design Consultant," the responsibilities and required skills strongly align with a Security Operations or GTM (Go-to-Market) Security Consulting role, focusing on the proactive design and implementation of security within technology change initiatives. The emphasis on "building the bank of the future" and integrating security into the "change portfolio" suggests a strategic, forward-looking operational security function.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop, design, and document secure solutions, detailing all security controls implemented.

• Deconstruct complex solution and network architectures to identify potential security weaknesses.

• Proactively identify and mitigate threats and vulnerabilities associated with proposed technology solutions.

• Evaluate the soundness of solutions using industry-standard methodologies such as STRIDE and MITRE.

• Translate identified threats into quantifiable risks, assessing likelihood and impact to inform business decisions.

• Effectively communicate complex technical security concepts to diverse audiences, including technical teams and non-technical business stakeholders.

• Articulate and present Security Designs to all relevant project teams and business stakeholders.

• Balance the risks and benefits of competing security design options to arrive at optimal solutions.

• Manage and contribute to multiple challenging security design projects simultaneously in an agile environment.

• Ensure security is embedded throughout the entire change portfolio lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of technical security design, risk assessment, and communication, typical of a consultant role within a large financial institution's security operations or architecture function. The mention of "agile" working and "change portfolio" indicates a need for adaptability and integration with modern development practices.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A professional certificate in a relevant security domain is highly desirable.

• While a formal degree is not explicitly stated as a requirement, a strong foundation in computer science, information security, or a related field is expected. Experience:

• 5-10 years of progressive experience in cyber security, with a focus on security design, architecture, and risk assessment.

• Proven experience in deconstructing complex technical solutions and identifying security gaps.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a hybrid work environment and collaborate with distributed teams. Required Skills:

• Security Design & Architecture: Ability to develop, design, and document secure solutions and controls.

• Threat & Vulnerability Assessment: Proficiency in identifying and mitigating threats and vulnerabilities using frameworks like STRIDE and MITRE.

• Risk Management: Experience in translating threats into risks, assessing likelihood and impact.

• Technical Communication: Skill in effectively communicating complex technical security concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Architecture Analysis: Ability to deconstruct and analyze network and solution architectures.

• Project Management Support: Comfort working on multiple challenging projects simultaneously.

• Agile Methodology: Familiarity with working within agile development and delivery frameworks.

Preferred Skills:

• Industry Security Standards: Awareness of ISO 27000 series, PCI DSS, COBIT, NIST, OWASP.

• Security Certifications: CISSP, CISM, CCSP, CEH, OSCP, or equivalent professional certifications.

• Cloud Security: Experience with public and/or private cloud environments.

• Security Strategy: Understanding of how to shape and contribute to overall security strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Any experience of these would be really useful" section has been integrated into preferred skills. The emphasis on specific methodologies (STRIDE, MITRE) and industry standards points to a need for practical, hands-on knowledge rather than purely theoretical understanding.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Security Design Documentation: Examples of comprehensive security design documents that clearly outline controls, architecture, and threat mitigation strategies.

• Threat Modeling Case Studies: Demonstrations of applying methodologies like STRIDE or MITRE to identify and address security risks in real-world scenarios.

• Risk Assessment Reports: Samples of reports that effectively translate technical threats into business risks, including likelihood and impact assessments.

• Solution Evaluation: Evidence of evaluating technical solutions against security best practices and industry standards.

• Communication Examples: Materials or descriptions of how complex security concepts were communicated to diverse stakeholder groups.

Process Documentation:

• Security Architecture Review Process: Documented steps or examples of how security architectures are reviewed and approved.

• Vulnerability Management Integration: How vulnerability identification and remediation are integrated into the design process.

• Security Control Implementation Standards: Examples of standards or guidelines used for implementing specific security controls.

• Agile Security Integration: Demonstrations of how security practices are embedded within agile development workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Security Design Consultant role, a portfolio is critical. It should showcase practical application of security principles, not just theoretical knowledge. The emphasis should be on demonstrating the ability to design, analyze, and communicate security solutions effectively within a project context.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £72,702 - £85,000 per annum (GBP)

Benefits:

• Pension: Generous contribution of up to 15%.

• Bonus: Annual performance-related bonus.

• Share Schemes: Including free shares.

• Lifestyle Benefits: Discounted shopping and other adaptable benefits.

• Holiday: Generous holiday allowance, plus bank holidays.

• Wellbeing: A range of wellbeing initiatives.

• Parental Leave: Generous parental leave policies.

Working Hours: Full-time, approximately 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is £72,702 - £85,000, with the job description also mentioning £72,702 - £80,780 in one instance. The higher figure of £85,000 has been used as the maximum for the range. This range is competitive for a mid-to-senior level Security Design Consultant in the UK financial sector, especially considering the responsibilities and the employer's reputation. The benefits package is comprehensive, typical of a large, established financial institution.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services / Banking

Company Size: Large Enterprise ( Lloyds Banking Group is one of the UK's largest financial institutions, employing tens of thousands globally). This scale implies complex systems, extensive regulatory oversight, and a structured approach to security operations.

Founded: 2009 (formed from the merger of Lloyds TSB and HBOS), with heritage companies dating back much further, indicating a long-standing presence and deep understanding of the financial landscape.

Team Structure:

• The role sits within the Chief Security Office (CSO), specifically within the Security Consultancy and Design team.

• This team likely operates as a center of excellence, providing specialized security expertise across various change initiatives and business units.

• Collaboration is expected with project teams, architects, development teams, IT operations, and business stakeholders.

• Reporting structure will likely involve a Security Design Manager or Head of Security Architecture. Methodology:

• The team operates in an agile manner, supporting a "change portfolio" and building the "bank of the future." This suggests a focus on iterative development, continuous integration, and rapid deployment of secure solutions.

• Emphasis on data-driven decision-making is implicit in a financial institution, with security risks and controls being measured and managed.

• Process optimization is a key theme, as the role involves designing secure solutions and improving the security posture of the organization.

Company Website: https://www.lloydsbankinggroup.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's status as a major UK bank means that security is paramount. The culture likely emphasizes compliance, risk management, and robust processes, while also embracing modern agile methodologies for technology transformation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Mid-Senior Level Consultant. This role is for experienced security professionals who can operate with a degree of autonomy, design complex solutions, and influence technical and business decisions. It's a critical role in ensuring the security of the bank's digital transformation efforts.

Reporting Structure: The Security Design Consultant will report into a manager within the Security Consultancy and Design team, likely within the broader Chief Security Office. They will work collaboratively with various project teams, acting as a security subject matter expert.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct and significant impact on the bank's security posture, customer trust, and regulatory compliance. By ensuring secure designs are implemented, the consultant helps prevent data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage, thereby supporting the bank's mission to "help Britain prosper."

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific security domains (e.g., cloud security, application security, threat intelligence).

• Leadership: Progress to a Senior Security Design Consultant, Team Lead, or Security Architecture Manager role.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain experience across different business units and technology stacks within Lloyds Banking Group.

• Certification Development: Pursue advanced security certifications (e.g., CISSP concentrations, TOGAF for architecture).

• Strategic Influence: Contribute to the evolution of the bank's overall security strategy and design principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for growth within a large, stable organization. The emphasis on "building the bank of the future" suggests opportunities to work on cutting-edge technology and influence strategic security decisions.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid working model, requiring at least 2 days per week (40% of time) in a designated Lloyds Banking Group office. This fosters a blend of in-person collaboration and remote flexibility.

Office Location(s): The role is available in major UK hubs:

• Edinburgh, Scotland

• Leeds, England

• Manchester, England

• Bristol, England Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model encourages collaboration through in-office days, team meetings, and workshops.

• Tools & Technology: Access to a sophisticated IT infrastructure and a range of security tools and platforms necessary for design, analysis, and documentation.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities to engage with a diverse team of security professionals, architects, and project managers, fostering knowledge sharing and professional development.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week), with a hybrid arrangement offering flexibility in how and where a portion of this time is spent.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is a significant factor, requiring candidates to be comfortable with both in-office collaboration and independent remote work. The specified office locations are key operational hubs for the bank.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of application and CV to assess core qualifications and experience.

• Technical Interview: Discussion focused on security design principles, threat modeling, risk assessment, and experience with relevant frameworks (STRIDE, MITRE, ISO 27000, etc.). This may include scenario-based questions.

• Portfolio Review: Presentation and discussion of candidate's security design portfolio, focusing on their contributions, methodologies, and the impact of their work.

• Stakeholder/Behavioral Interview: Assessment of communication skills, ability to work with non-technical stakeholders, problem-solving approach, and cultural fit within Lloyds Banking Group.

• Final Interview/Offer: Discussion with senior management.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Breadth and Depth: Include examples of designing security for diverse systems (e.g., web applications, cloud infrastructure, network segments, data platforms).

• Detail Your Role and Contribution: Clearly articulate your specific responsibilities and achievements within each project.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of your security designs (e.g., reduction in identified vulnerabilities, improved compliance scores, successful risk mitigation).

• Explain Your Process: Be prepared to walk through your thought process for threat modeling, risk assessment, and control selection.

• Tailor to LBG: Research Lloyds Banking Group's known security challenges (e.g., regulatory compliance in finance, digital transformation) and highlight how your experience aligns.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Design: Be ready to tackle a hypothetical security design challenge. Focus on breaking down the problem, identifying threats, proposing controls, and justifying your decisions.

• Risk Prioritization: Practice articulating how you would prioritize risks and security investments.

• Communication Clarity: Prepare to explain a complex security concept or design to a non-technical audience concisely.

• Methodology Application: Be prepared to discuss how you've applied STRIDE, MITRE ATT&CK, or similar frameworks in practice.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is a critical step. Candidates should prepare specific, project-based examples that demonstrate their practical application of security design principles and their ability to translate technical requirements into business-relevant risk mitigation strategies.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Security Design & Architecture Tools: Tools for diagramming (e.g., Visio, Lucidchart), threat modeling (e.g., Microsoft Threat Modeling Tool, OWASP Threat Dragon), and potentially Architecture Decision Records (ADRs).

• Collaboration Platforms: Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Confluence for documentation and communication.

• Project Management Software: Tools like Jira or Azure DevOps for working within agile frameworks.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Risk Management Platforms: Tools for tracking and managing identified risks and vulnerabilities.

• Reporting Dashboards: For presenting security posture, risks, and control effectiveness to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how security integrates with customer-facing systems and automated processes is beneficial. Familiarity with security automation concepts (e.g., SOAR - Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) can be advantageous.

• Cloud Platforms: Experience with security controls and design within AWS, Azure, or GCP is highly valuable.

• Security Standards & Frameworks: Deep knowledge of ISO 27000 series, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, PCI DSS, OWASP Top 10.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tool names beyond frameworks are not listed, the role implies proficiency with standard enterprise IT and security tools. Emphasis on cloud platforms and key security standards is crucial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity: Upholding the highest ethical standards in all security-related decisions and actions.

• Customer Focus: Protecting customer data and trust is paramount, aligning with the bank's mission.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across teams to achieve shared security objectives.

• Innovation: Embracing new technologies and approaches to enhance security in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

• Accountability: Taking ownership of security designs and their effectiveness.

• Efficiency: Designing secure solutions that are also practical and do not unduly hinder business operations.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively engaging with development teams, architects, project managers, and business stakeholders to embed security early in the lifecycle.

• Partnership Approach: Working as a trusted advisor to project teams, providing guidance and solutions rather than just imposing rules.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to the team's collective knowledge base and mentoring junior colleagues.

• Feedback Culture: Open to constructive feedback on designs and processes to drive continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: Lloyds Banking Group's stated purpose is "to help Britain prosper," which translates into a culture of responsibility, integrity, and a focus on customer well-being. Security is a fundamental pillar of this.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapidly Evolving Threat Landscape: Staying ahead of new and sophisticated cyber threats requires continuous learning and adaptation.

• Balancing Security and Agility: Implementing robust security measures without hindering the pace of agile development and business innovation.

• Complex Enterprise Environment: Navigating the intricate systems, policies, and stakeholder landscape of a large financial institution.

• Legacy Systems Integration: Ensuring security for both modern cloud-native solutions and existing legacy infrastructure.

• Communicating Technical Complexity: Effectively conveying the importance and nuances of security risks to diverse audiences.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Formal Training: Access to internal and external training programs focused on advanced security domains, certifications, and emerging threats.

• Industry Conferences: Opportunities to attend leading cybersecurity conferences to stay abreast of industry trends and network with peers.

• Mentorship Programs: Potential for mentorship from senior security leaders within the organization.

• Exposure to Diverse Technologies: Working with a wide array of technologies across the bank's extensive IT estate.

• Career Progression: Clear pathways to more senior roles, specialized technical tracks, or management positions within the security function.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a security role in a major financial services firm, emphasizing the need for resilience, adaptability, and strong communication skills. The growth opportunities are substantial given the size and scope of Lloyds Banking Group.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex security design you developed. What were the key threats, how did you mitigate them, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process, rationale, and impact.)

• "How do you balance security requirements with business needs and project timelines, especially in an agile environment?" (Demonstrate understanding of trade-offs and pragmatic solutions.)

• "Walk me through how you would deconstruct a given network architecture to identify potential vulnerabilities. What frameworks would you use, and why?" (Showcase analytical and methodological skills.)

• "Imagine you need to explain a critical security vulnerability to a non-technical business leader. How would you approach this conversation to ensure they understand the risk and the need for action?" (Highlight communication and stakeholder management skills.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your research, what do you believe are the biggest security challenges facing a bank like Lloyds Banking Group today?" (Shows you've done your homework and understand the industry context.)

• "How do you see security design contributing to Lloyds Banking Group's mission to 'help Britain prosper'?" (Connects your role to the company's overarching purpose.)

• "Describe a time you had to influence a team or stakeholder to adopt a more secure approach. What was your strategy?" (Assesses your ability to drive change and collaboration.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by project or by skill area (e.g., Threat Modeling, Cloud Security Design, Network Security Architecture).

• Storytelling: For each example, tell a clear story: the problem/context, your role, the challenge, your solution/design, the outcomes, and lessons learned.

• Visual Aids: Use diagrams, flowcharts, and concise text to illustrate your designs and processes.

• Metrics: Quantify achievements whenever possible (e.g., "Reduced attack surface by X%", "Implemented controls that passed Y compliance audits").

• Q&A Readiness: Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your technical decisions, trade-offs, and the specific tools/methodologies you employed.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating practical application of security principles, strong communication skills, and an understanding of the financial services context. The portfolio is your primary tool to showcase these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Security Design Consultant position:

• Submit Your Application: Navigate to the provided URL and complete the online application form.

• Portfolio Customization: Review your existing portfolio and select 2-3 key projects that best showcase your security design, threat modeling, and risk assessment capabilities. Tailor your resume to highlight experience with frameworks like STRIDE, MITRE, ISO 27000, and cloud security.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your experience in designing secure solutions, deconstructing architectures, and communicating technical concepts. Quantify achievements where possible and use keywords from the job description (e.g., "Security Design," "Threat Modeling," "Risk Assessment," "Agile," "Cloud Security").

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions. Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail and articulate your approach to security design challenges. Research Lloyds Banking Group's current initiatives and security posture.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Lloyds Banking Group's mission, values, recent news, and their approach to technology and security. Understand the implications of working within a large, regulated financial institution.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.