Information Security Manager at Planning Inspectorate in Bristol

Job summary

At the Planning Inspectorate, information security is about enabling people to work with confidence while protecting the systems and data that support important planning decisions across England. As our Information Security Manager, you'll play a key role in creating a secure, resilient and trusted environment for colleagues, customers and stakeholders.

Working within Digital Services, you'll lead our approach to managing information security, helping teams understand and manage risks, respond effectively to incidents and build security into everything they do. You'll work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation, senior leaders and external partners to ensure our security practices are practical, proportionate and aligned with government standards.

This is a varied and rewarding role where you'll have the opportunity to influence how security is embedded across our services, balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery, and help foster a positive security culture. If you're passionate about making a real impact, enjoy working with people and want to help shape secure ways of working across a purpose-driven organisation, we'd love to hear from you.

The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people’s lives, the communities where they live and the economy.

We want our colleagues to be able to work more flexibly and more collaboratively, exploring new and innovative ways to improve the way we provide services.

For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please visit our careers page at Civil Service Careers

Be part of Digital & Information Risk Services (DIRS)

This role sits within Digital & Information Risk Services (DIRS), part of the Planning Inspectorate’s Digital Services function. DIRS is responsible for protecting the organisation’s systems and data, managing security risks, and ensuring services are delivered in a secure and resilient way.

Working in DIRS, you’ll be at the centre of how we manage information security across the organisation, supporting delivery teams to build secure services and responding to real-world threats and incidents. You’ll work closely with colleagues across Digital and the wider business, helping embed practical, risk-based security into everything we do.

Job description

We’re looking for an Information Security Manager who can turn security requirements into practical solutions that support delivery. This is more than a policy-focused role. You'll work directly with teams across the organisation to understand risks, respond to security incidents and embed security into the design and operation of services from the outset.

As a trusted advisor and security specialist, you'll provide clear, pragmatic guidance that helps teams deliver with confidence. You'll balance risk, security and business needs, ensuring controls are effective without creating unnecessary barriers. This is a hands-on opportunity to influence how security is applied across the organisation, drive meaningful improvements and help build a strong security culture.

What you'll do

• Partner with project, delivery and operational teams to identify, assess and manage security risks.
• Provide practical security advice and guidance on projects, service changes and live operational services.
• Lead and support the investigation and resolution of security incidents, ensuring lessons learned are embedded.
• Work with external partners, including penetration testers and security specialists, to identify threats and strengthen security controls.

Accountabilities

• Maintaining effective oversight of security risks across assigned services and platforms.
• Ensuring security controls are proportionate, practical and aligned to organisational objectives.
• Driving continuous improvement in security practices, resilience and risk management across Digital Services and the wider organisation.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with people as much as technology, can translate security requirements into practical outcomes, and wants to make a visible impact in an organisation delivering important public services.

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. Internal rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest

This role is being advertised at Senior Executive Officer Grade

Salary range for the Grade role is £47,564.

Working hours:

Standard working week is 37 hours, Flexible working hours policy available

Office Attendance

This role is contractually based at our office in Bristol, 10-minute walk from Temple Meads train station. We recognise and value the mutual benefits of hybrid working and have a flexible approach to in person attendance, which can vary dependent on the requirements of individual business units - the details of which can be discussed with candidates if invited to attend an interview. Excitingly, we're relocating to a brand new office in December, while maintaining excellent transport links with Bristol Temple Meads station still just a 10 minute walk away. 

Person specification

We will assess your application against the Essential Criteria listed:

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrable knowledge of cyber and information security tools, principles and best practice.
• Experience of identifying, analysing and assessing information security risks and recommending appropriate mitigation actions.
• Experience of managing or supporting information security incidents and driving actions through to resolution.
• Experience of building and maintaining effective working relationships with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience of providing practical information security advice and guidance to support service delivery and business outcomes.

Qualifications

Relevant professional qualification in information security, risk management or a related discipline, or willingness to work towards one.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Information Security Principles and Assurance

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £47,564, Planning Inspectorate contributes

£13,779 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Flexible working options, including flexi-time, part-time, compressed hours and home working if suitable for the role.
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
• 25 days annual leave increasing by 1 day per year up to 30 days after 5 years, plus 1 privilege day to mark the King’s birthday. In addition to the normal bank holidays.
• Generous family friendly policies.
• Fast and modern IT kit which utilises Windows 11 and Microsoft 365, enabling seamless working from home and collaboration across teams.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Application

For guidance on how to structure your application please see About the application process , Civil Service Careers

Complete the online application form on Civil Service Jobs which requires the following information:

• A CV: The CV section lets you share your job history. List your jobs, how long you worked at each, and briefly describe your roles and duties. Make sure to show how your experience matches the e ssential criteria of the job you're applying for. Type or paste this information into the 'Employment History' box in the online application. You can't attach your CV.
• A Personal Statement (500 words max): The personal statement lets you explain why you're a good fit for the job in more detail. Use it to show how you meet the e ssential criteria listed in our advert

All shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome shortly afterwards.

Interview

If you are shortlisted, you will:

• Be asked to attend an interview to have a more in-depth discussion about your experience and suitability for the role
• Interviews will be a blend of behaviour, strength,technical and experience questions

Candidates who pass the shortlist stage will receive full assessment details with their interview invitations.

• Other Information
• Shortlist Date: 2 November 2026
• Interview Date: 16 – 20 November 2026

Interviews will be held remotely using MS Teams. The interview will not be recorded or retained, other than usual interview protocol and in line with Civil Service Jobs privacy notice.

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for a period of 9 months from which further appointments can be made.

Future Matches

Candidates who demonstrate strong potential and future readiness but score just below the required level at interview may be considered for alternative positions. These roles may be at a lower grade but align with their skills and offer opportunities for growth.

We encourage all candidates to make themselves familiar with the role and what we will be assessing you against which is detailed in the Person Specification.

ID and Documents

If the job needs specific qualifications or memberships and you get the job, you'll need to send scanned or photographed images of them before you start.

We must check that any successful candidates are allowed to work for the Civil Service before we employ them. If successful, you will be asked to do a right to work check using identity document validation technology (IDVT) through the services of an Identity Service Provider (IDSP), Civil Service Jobs. If we are unable to confirm your right to work and through the IDVT we will need to do a manual right to work check using original documents with you in person.

Visa Sponsorship

The Planning Inspectorate cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates, we do not hold a Visa sponsorship licence.

Disability Confident Interview scheme/Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service values diversity and offers equal opportunities. We have a Disability Confident Interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the job's minimum criteria. We will also provide reasonable adjustments to all where possible. For more information please see Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers .

Security Check

In addition to the BPSS, the level of security clearance required for this role is Security Check (SC) and the process can take a number of weeks to complete. For more details of vetting levels and requirements please refer to the Cabinet Office HMG Personnel Security Controls .

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new wind