Security Architect
Possible
Sponsorship likelihood
This employer issued few or no visas recently
£72,000 – £82,000 / year
Salary
Above P75 for SOC 2135
£48,500
Going rate
Offer clears by 1.5×
This role likely qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 2135 (60% match) is an eligible occupation, with a going rate of £48,500, and Harvey Nash is a licensed sponsor. That is our reading of the rules. Whether they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship is still their call.
This could also be SOC 2133 (IT business analysts, architects and systems designers). We read the code off the advert, so it is our best guess, not the employer's.
New graduate or PhD holder? Pick one of the lower rates.
What each route needs for this job
| Occupation code | New entrant 70% of going rate | STEM PhD 80% of going rate | Relevant PhD 90% of going rate | Standard rate 100% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2135 Cyber security professionals Most likely code | £34,000 Clears | £38,800 Clears | £43,700 Clears | £48,500 Clears |
2133 IT business analysts, architects and systems designers Also possible | £38,400 Clears | £43,900 Clears | £49,400 Clears | £54,900 Clears |
We use the lowest threshold across the plausible codes. Likelihood is Possible at most when the pay clears only a lower rate, or only under a less likely code. A mark is for the top of the advertised pay. How the Home Office picks the code
About the role
Role: Lead Security Architect
Location: Leeds (Hybrid)
Salary: up to £82,000
Package Includes: Bonus, Generous Pension, Private Medical
Start Date: ASAP
An influential UK Financial Services organisation is seeking a Lead Security Architect to play a key role in shaping and delivering its cyber security strategy across a complex technology estate.
This is an opportunity to influence major technology decisions, define security standards, and ensure secure-by-design principles are embedded across critical transformation programmes spanning cloud, on-premise and SaaS environments. You'll work alongside architects, engineers, delivery teams and senior stakeholders to help drive a modern, risk-based approach to security.
The Opportunity
As Lead Security Architect, you'll act as a senior security authority across strategic technology initiatives, ensuring solutions are secure, resilient and aligned to business objectives.
You'll define architectural guardrails, lead security design governance, and provide expert guidance to delivery teams, balancing risk management with business outcomes and technological innovation.
This role offers significant visibility and influence, with the opportunity to shape security architecture across a large-scale, enterprise environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and evolve security architecture principles, standards, patterns and roadmaps.
- Champion a modern, threat-informed security posture focused on reducing organisational risk.
- Embed secure-by-design practices throughout the solution lifecycle, from discovery through to delivery.
- Provide security architecture leadership across strategic projects and transformation initiatives.
- Lead architectural governance, design reviews and assurance activities.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Strong background in Security Architecture, Enterprise Architecture or a senior cyber security role.
- Broad understanding of infrastructure technologies, architecture patterns and modern enterprise environments.
- Good knowledge of networking, security and encryption technologies.
- Experience reviewing solution designs and technical documentation to identify security risks and vulnerabilities.
- Ability to articulate technical vulnerabilities in terms of business risk and impact.
- Proven stakeholder management experience across technology and business teams.
- Strong communication and documentation skills.
- Demonstrable experience delivering secure architectural solutions within large or complex organisations.
Desirable Experience
- Knowledge of frameworks such as NIST, MITRE ATT&CK and ISO 27001.
- Team leadership, coaching or management experience.
- Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM or equivalent.
Why Apply?
This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly regarded financial services organisation where cyber security plays a strategic role in technology decision-making. You'll influence enterprise-wide initiatives, work on complex technical challenges, and help shape the future security landscape of a business that invests heavily in technology, resilience and innovation.
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with Harvey Nash, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Cyber security professionals (SOC 2135) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~30k in sample- Offer £72,000–82,000
- Middle half £43,680–69,316
- Median £51,376
- Going rate £48,500
- Threshold £41,700
- New entrant £34,000–43,700
Even the bottom of this range, £72,000, beats the market's 75th percentile. Harvey Nash pays in the top quarter for this occupation.
Similar sponsored roles
See all UK visa jobsNo close matches live right now.
Browse more sponsored jobs at Harvey NashAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. Harvey Nash holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 2135 going rate of £48,500. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.