OT Cyber Delivery 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 Delivery Lead, you will lead the development and delivery of new cyber security solutions and technology initiatives across complex Operational Technology (OT) environments. You'll take ideas from initial concept through to defined projects, trials and implementation, helping turn emerging technologies and new approaches into practical solutions that strengthen cyber resilience and deliver operational value.

Working closely with OT and cyber security specialists, engineering teams, operational stakeholders, project teams and technology partners, you'll help define requirements, shape delivery approaches and ensure initiatives progress effectively from concept through to implementation.

This is a broad technical delivery role combining OT and cyber knowledge with project leadership, stakeholder engagement 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 be transitioned into operational use.

The role offers the opportunity to work across evolving areas of OT cyber security and technology, helping shape how new capabilities are evaluated, tested and adopted within complex operational environments.

As an OT Cyber Delivery Lead, you will:

• Lead OT cyber security and technology initiatives from initial concept through to implementation
• Work with OT, cyber security, engineering and operational teams to identify challenges and opportunities for improvement
• Define project scope, requirements, objectives, benefits and delivery approaches
• Turn technical concepts and emerging ideas into structured and deliverable projects
• Develop business cases, project briefs, statements of work and supporting documentation
• Lead trials, pilots and proof-of-concepts to assess new technologies and approaches
• Coordinate delivery across technical teams, operational stakeholders and external partners
• Manage technology vendors, consultancies, systems integrators and other third-party suppliers
• Ensure supplier-led projects meet agreed requirements, quality standards, timescales and expected outcomes
• Manage multiple initiatives, identifying risks, dependencies and competing priorities
• Identify opportunities to align projects, share learning and reuse successful solutions across wider programmes
• Ensure proposed solutions are appropriate for operational environments and align with cyber security and regulatory requirements
• Track project outcomes and benefits, providing clear updates and recommendations to stakeholders
• Support the transition of successful solutions from trials and projects 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 with strong technical delivery experience and a good understanding of OT and cyber security environments. You'll be comfortable working between technical specialists and business stakeholders, translating complex ideas into clear requirements and leading initiatives through to successful delivery.

You'll bring:

• Proven experience delivering cyber security, technology or digital change within Operational Technology (OT), industrial or critical infrastructure environments
• Good understanding of OT environments, Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and the operational considerations associated with introducing new technology
• Experience leading technology or cyber security projects from initial concept through to delivery
• Experience defining technical and business requirements and translating them into practical delivery plans
• Experience developing project briefs, business cases, statements of work or similar project documentation
• Strong experience managing technology suppliers, consultancies, vendors or systems integrators
• Experience coordinating delivery across technical, operational and project teams
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage and influence at different levels of an organisation
• The ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, risks and dependencies
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate options and make clear recommendations
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain technical subjects to both technical and non-technical audiences
• A practical, outcome-focused approach to technology delivery

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 initiatives
• Knowledge of SCADA, industrial networks, telecommunications or other operational technologies
• Experience delivering technology trials, pilots, proof-of-concepts or innovation programmes
• Understanding of cyber security standards and regulatory frameworks including NCSC CAF, NIS Regulations and IEC 62443
• Experience taking new technologies or capabilities from trial through to operational adoption
• Knowledge of emerging technologies and their application within industrial environments, including artificial intelligence and automation
• Relevant cyber security, OT, 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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