Security Architect

We have an exciting opportunity for a proactive and technical Security Architect to join our Information Security team to work in a modernised, AI-accelerated delivery context on a 6-month contract. As a leading UK life and pensions mutual insurer with a proud history dating back to 1843, we exist to help people live financially confident lives - protecting their income while they work and maximising it when they stop. Today, over one million members and customers trust us to look after their futures, families and finances.

Joining us means becoming part of a team that puts our members, customers and advisers at the heart of everything we do. We're committed to creating an inclusive culture where colleagues can thrive. We are proud to have built a workplace where our colleagues feel welcomed, respected, supported and valued - reflected in our recognition as one of the Financial Times UK's Best Employers in 2025 and 2026. We celebrate individuality and believe our differences make us stronger, so bring your true self and help shape the future of LV=. You will play a crucial role in ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our organisational information assets. Join our team if you have a thorough understanding of information security principles and a passion for designing and implementing robust security measures.

The role will be based at our Bournemouth with regular office presence required., Security Architecture:

• Own and drive the security assurance plan for a transformation project, ensuring security is built-in from early design and evidenced through delivery and deployment gates.
• Provide design assurance and security input into HLD/LLD and architecture governance so the programme has clear, auditable security decisions.
• Assess AI-enabled solutions against enterprise risk frameworks (not invent new ones), aligning to existing risk management, controls, and assurance models.
• Translate AI risks into regulator credible language (risk, controls, residual risk, accountability).
• Ensure the programme completes and implements defined security control requirements and that these are captured in LLDs with exceptions documented and stored alongside design artefacts for future audit
• Work with engineers/architects to translate security control requirements into practical implementation guidance and traceable evidence.
• Define and assure security testing expectations ensuring testing is completed and results are addressed ahead of go-live.
• Support service readiness activities such as runbook walkthroughs / handover readiness where they impact security outcomes.
• Assure secure integration with existing services and the target platform (including identity, access control, encryption, logging/monitoring expectations, and secure API patterns). (Programme integration/security need is explicitly called out as a key reason for this role.)
• Provide pragmatic security assurance in an environment using rapid modernisation approaches (including AI-enabled ways of working), ensuring governance and assurance keep pace with delivery speed.

Demonstrable expertise and practical experience in the following areas:

• You must understand AI as a risk bearing technology domain, not just as tooling.
• Proven experience performing security architecture assurance (reviewing designs, tracing security requirements to implementation, and producing audit-ready evidence packs).
• Strong understanding of NIST security controls and regulated-environment obligations
• Ability to operate credibly with senior stakeholders, architects, delivery leadership and third parties, turning security requirements into "how we ship securely" outcomes

Technical breadth (indicative)

• Cloud/application security experience relevant to modern architectures (microservices, APIs, identity, encryption, secure configuration).
• Secure SDLC familiarity, including OWASP-aligned practices and design assurance

Desirable

• Security certifications such as CISSP / CISM / ISSAP / SABSA

Employee discount, Employee assistance programme, Company pension, Private medical insurance, Cycle to work scheme, At LV= Life and Pensions, you'll go above and beyond to do the right thing for our customers. We'll reward your hard work with an attractive, competitive salary and benefits package, which includes:

• 30 days' holiday
• The opportunity to buy or sell up to two days of holiday
• An annual bonus scheme based on company and personal performance
• Flexible benefits, including a cycle to work scheme, personal accident insurance, critical illness cover, private medical insurance, and dental insurance
• Competitive pension scheme - LV= Life and Pensions will double-match the amount you pay, up to 14% (subject to National Minimum Wage requirements)
• Group Life Assurance of four times your basic pay to your dependents (you'll have the option to increase this to 8 x cover)
• Group Income Protection, if you enrol into the pension scheme and reach 5 years of service
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) service for support when you need it.
• Virtual GP service
• Shared parental leave
• Up to 20% discount on our life products for you and your immediate family

Please note all salary sacrifice benefits are subject to National Minimum Wage requirements i.e. you are unable to select any benefits that would reduce your base pay below the minimum wage threshold.