OT Cyber Innovation Lead

Sword is a leading provider of business technology solutions within the Energy, Public and Finance Sectors, driving transformational change within our clients. We use proven technology, specialist teams and domain expertise to build solid technical foundations across platforms, data, and business applications. We have a passion for using technology to solve business problems, working in partnership with our clients to help in achieving their goals.

About The Role

As an OT Cyber Innovation Lead , you will lead the development and delivery of innovative cyber security solutions and emerging technology initiatives across complex Operational Technology (OT) environments. You'll take opportunities from early-stage concept and exploration through to trials, proof-of-concept and implementation, helping turn new technologies and approaches into practical solutions that strengthen cyber resilience and deliver measurable operational value.

Working closely with OT and cyber security specialists, engineering teams, operational stakeholders and technology partners, you'll identify opportunities for innovation, assess potential solutions, define requirements and shape the approach needed to move promising ideas into delivery.

This is a broad technical leadership role combining OT and cyber knowledge with innovation, stakeholder engagement, commercial awareness and supplier management. You'll provide direction across a portfolio of initiatives, developing business cases and scopes of work, overseeing third-party delivery and ensuring successful solutions can transition into operational use.

The role offers the opportunity to explore evolving areas of OT cyber security and emerging technology, evaluating where new capabilities can solve real operational challenges and helping shape how they are tested, proven and adopted.

As An OT Cyber Innovation Lead, You Will

• Lead OT cyber security and technology innovation initiatives from early-stage concept through to implementation
• Identify opportunities where new technologies, capabilities and approaches could strengthen cyber resilience or improve operational outcomes
• Work with OT, cyber security, engineering and operational teams to understand challenges and develop potential solutions
• Assess emerging technologies and approaches, considering their feasibility, benefits and application within operational environments
• Define initiative scope, requirements, objectives, expected benefits and delivery approaches
• Turn technical concepts and emerging ideas into structured and deliverable initiatives
• Develop business cases, project briefs, statements of work and supporting documentation
• Lead technology trials, pilots and proof-of-concepts, ensuring they have clear objectives and demonstrate measurable value
• Coordinate delivery across technical teams, operational stakeholders and external partners
• Manage technology vendors, consultancies, systems integrators and other third-party suppliers
• Ensure supplier-led activities achieve agreed outcomes, quality standards, timescales and value for money
• Manage a portfolio of initiatives, identifying risks, dependencies and competing priorities
• Identify opportunities to align initiatives, share learning and reuse successful solutions across wider programmes
• Ensure proposed solutions are appropriate for operational environments and align with cyber security, regulatory and business requirements
• Track outcomes and benefits, providing clear updates and recommendations to stakeholders
• Support the transition of successful solutions from trials and proof-of-concepts into business-as-usual operations
• Maintain awareness of emerging cyber security and technology trends and assess their potential application within OT environments

Requirements

We're looking for someone who combines strong technical delivery and innovation experience with a solid understanding of OT and cyber security environments. You'll be comfortable working across technical, operational and business teams, exploring new ideas and turning them into practical solutions that can be tested, proven and successfully delivered.

You’ll Bring

• Proven experience delivering technology, cyber security or innovation initiatives within Operational Technology (OT), industrial or critical infrastructure environments
• A good understanding of OT and Industrial Control System (ICS) environments, including the operational considerations and constraints associated with introducing new technologies
• A strong understanding of cyber security principles and their application within operational or industrial environments
• Experience taking new technologies, technical concepts or ideas from early-stage exploration through requirements, evaluation and into delivery
• Experience evaluating new technologies or solutions through trials, pilots, proof-of-concepts or similar approaches
• Experience defining technical and business requirements and translating them into clear, practical delivery plans
• Experience developing business cases, project briefs, statements of work or similar documentation to support investment and delivery decisions
• Strong experience managing technology suppliers, consultancies, vendors or systems integrators, including overseeing supplier-led delivery
• Experience coordinating multiple initiatives across technical, operational and project teams
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility across both technical and non-technical audiences
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess options, challenge assumptions and make clear recommendations
• The ability to manage competing priorities, risks and dependencies across a portfolio of initiatives
• A practical, outcome-focused approach with an emphasis on demonstrating operational and business value

It Would Be Beneficial If You Also Have

• Experience working within energy, utilities or other Critical National Infrastructure environments
• Experience delivering OT cyber security programmes or wider cyber resilience initiatives
• Knowledge of SCADA, industrial networks, telecommunications or other operational technologies
• Understanding of relevant cyber security standards and regulatory frameworks such as NCSC CAF, NIS Regulations and IEC 62443
• Experience transitioning new technologies or capabilities from trial or proof-of-concept into business-as-usual operations
• Awareness of emerging technologies and their potential application within OT environments, including artificial intelligence, automation and advanced operational technologies
• Relevant cyber security, OT, innovation, project delivery or technical qualifications

Benefits

At Sword, our core values and culture are based on caring about our people, investing in training and career development, and building inclusive teams where we are all encouraged to contribute to achieve success. We offer comprehensive benefits designed to support your professional development and enhance your overall quality of life. In addition to a Competitive Salary, here's what you can expect as part of our benefits package:

• Personalised Career Development: We create a development plan customised to your goals and aspirations, with a range of learning and development opportunities within a culture that encourages growth.
• Flexible working: Flexible work arrangements to support your work-life balance. We can't promise to always be able to meet every request, however, are keen to discuss your individual preferences to make it work where we can.
• A Fantastic Benefits Package: This includes generous annual leave allowance, enhanced family friendly benefits, pension scheme, access to private health, well-being, and insurance schemes, an employee assistance programme, discounted cash plan and more....

At Sword we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, ensuring that all applicants receive fair and equal consideration for employment, regardless of whether they meet every requirement. If you don't tick all the boxes but feel you have some of the relevant skills and experience we're looking for, please do consider applying and highlight your transferable skills and experience. We embrace diversity in all its forms, valuing individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Your perspective and potential are important to us.

If we can do anything to help make the hiring process more accessible, please let our talent acquisition team know when you apply so we can support any adjustments.

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