Enterprise Security Architect

Enterprise Security Architect (ESA)
Initial 3-month contract (longer term opportunity)
Inside IR35 - Market Rate
Remote working 
SC Clearance preffered  but not essential

Overview
We are seeking an experienced Enterprise Security Architect to establish and mature the organisation’s security architecture capability. This is a foundational “builder” role responsible for creating the principles, patterns and reference architectures that will underpin security across the enterprise and align closely with Enterprise Architecture.
Operating at a strategic yet practical level, you will define the security architecture while ensuring outputs are implementable by delivery teams. You will create the core frameworks, roadmaps and engagement models required to scale a modern security architecture function.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and drive approval of a coherent set of enterprise security principles
• Align security architecture with Enterprise Architecture
• Develop core reference security architectures and foundational models
• Create and maintain a multi-year security architecture roadmap
• Establish a consistent control framework and repeatable architecture processes
• Provide authoritative challenge and guidance on architectural and security decisions
• Act as the primary security architecture counterpart to Enterprise Architecture
• Support and shape GRC and IAM initiatives
• Produce clear documentation, patterns, frameworks and ways of working

Key Outcomes

• Validated, organisation-wide security principles
• Practical reference security architectures for delivery teams
• A clear, enterprise-aligned security roadmap
• A scalable control framework and engagement model
• A repeatable, sustainable security architecture function

Required Experience

• Senior background in Enterprise or Security Architecture
• Proven experience building security architecture frameworks from the ground up
• Strong understanding of complex enterprise technology estates
• Experience aligning security and enterprise architecture
• Ability to operate strategically while remaining delivery-focused
• Confidence challenging senior architectural decisions
• Strong documentation and stakeholder communication skills

Ideal Profile

• Has built or established a security architecture function
• Comfortable working in ambiguity and shaping direction
• Able to translate theory into practical, usable artefacts
• Pragmatic and adoption-focused, balancing rigour with delivery