Associate Director, GMS Operations Projects - 18 month FTC

at  NCC Group

Role: Associate Director, GMS Operations Projects
Location: Manchester, hybrid
This is an 18 month Fixed Term Contract
Thanks for checking out our job opening; we are excited that YOU are interested in learning more about NCC Group.
We are on a mission to make society a safer and more secure place. Our people are the ones who make that possible; a global community of talented individuals working together towards a safer future.
We aim to create an environment where everyone can reach their full potential. We work together, we are brilliantly creative, we embrace difference and we want you to join in our mission, to make the world safer and more secure.
Take a look at our website here to learn more about why we’re one of the leading global Cyber Security and Risk Mitigation business…
https://www.nccgroup.com/uk/
Role Purpose:
This role will work with regional operational leadership to deliver change and transformation for the SOC. This will involve leading significant programmes to develop and implement the end state global target operating model for SOC/SDM/TAM and establishing global standards of SOC processes.
The role will be responsible for creating global standards for client service delivery for SOC/SDM/TAM, and managing projects to achieve the desired model, such as defining the optimal resource location model, managing change to client agreements considering data sovereignty challenges and the structure of teams globally.
This role works is responsible for the ensuring that the programmes within the SOC are delivered successfully – from. the very start with clear objectives, and ensuring change is embedded into the organisation to ensure maximum adoption and delivery of value.
This role is outward facing to the regional operations leadership and must form strong and influential relationships with GMS operations leadership, GMS leadership team and COO, to deliver their transformation objectives.
This position requires strong leadership, exceptional strategic thinking and planning, and a deep understanding of NCC Group and the Cyber industry.
Key Accountabilities:

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and implement a strategic roadmap for the globalisation of the SOC, ensuring alignment with GMS’ strategy and business goals.
• Lead the adoption of next-generation SOC technologies and methodologies, including AI/ML, automation, and advanced analytics.
• Foster a culture of innovation, agility, and continuous improvement within the SOC team.

Operational Excellence:

• Review global SOC operations current practices and propose recommended enhancements, ensuring effective monitoring, detection, response, and mitigation of cybersecurity threats.
• Implement and refine SOC processes, procedures, and playbooks to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, regulations, and best practices.

Change Management:

• Drive change initiatives within the SOC, managing the transition to new technologies and processes with minimal disruption.
• Engage with key stakeholders to communicate the vision and progress of SOC transformation efforts.
• Develop and execute training programs to enhance the skills and capabilities of the SOC team.
• Propose transition phases and target model to achieve global service delivery, considering implications for roles and teams, working closely with leadership and people team on any people change implications

Project and Programme Management

• Lead organizational change by effectively communicating the vision, goals, and benefits of transformation initiatives, fostering a culture of innovation, and ensuring successful adoption of new processes and ways of working.
• Utilise a common method of approach to change, supported by Strategy director and the Associate Director, Transformation Management.
• Ensure all transformation has a change impact assessment to get from the from present to future with appropriate mitigation plans.
• Ensure that all programmes and projects are managed effectively and meet the business objectives. Engaging stakeholders to ensure the requirements and outcomes are defined, and working with them closely to ensure that are delivered with the project and programme teams.
• Delivering the change management associated with project and programmes, and contributing to the evolution of this methodology.
• Transformation is communicated and embedded into the organisation effectively.

Industry Awareness

• Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive landscape to identify opportunities for innovation, expansion, and differentiation in SOC services.

Functional & Technical Skills:

• Programme and project management experience for complex change projects across multiple regions.
• Experience of working with senior stakeholders and being able to communication, influence and challenge effectively at all levels.
• The ability to manage organisational change, focussing on outcomes and ensure the business objectives are met.
• Excellent communication skills to create a narrative about a strategic or tactical direction, with the ability to influence and motivate teams to then deliver to them.
• Significant demonstrable experience of leading transformation programmes that affect all aspects of a business (or business area) with respect of business processes, business systems, people, change and adoption of new working practices.
• Experience leading operational managed security services teams
• Experience in working in a global firm in a multi-cultural context
• Experience in working in a complex international environment, that’s subjected to a significant amount of change
• Ability to work with key stakeholders to drive business results
• Ability to embed new processes in existing teams
• Ability to translate client feedback and market insights into tangible requests and ideas for product management
• Know the everchanging cyber security threat landscape, attacker personas, and latest compromise techniques
• Knowledge of the local cyber security market
• Knowledge of cyber threat detection techniques and the latest developments in the MSS market
• Inspiring leader, with ability to communicate effectively at all levels, creating an approachable and supportive environment for colleagues

Behaviours:

• Focusing on Clients and Customers
• Working as One NCC
• Always Learning
• Being Inclusive and Respectful
• Delivery Brilliantly
• Looking Externally

About NCC Group
The NCC Group family has over 2,200 members located all around the world, providing a trusted advisory service to 15,000 customers. Born in the UK, we have now have offices in North America, Canada, Europe, Asia- Pacific and United Arab Emirates.
We are passionate about helping our customers to protect their brand, value and reputation against the ever-evolving threat landscape. We fuel that passion with investment in our people and our business.
Our values and code of ethics are at the heart of how we operate – we work together, we are brilliantly creative and we embrace difference. We treat everyone and everything with equal respect.
We want to create an environment where all colleagues feel psychologically, emotionally and physically safe to be authentic, sharing their personal experiences to represent the diversity of the world they live in, and have equal opportunity to achieve their best.
About your application
We review every application received and will get in touch if your skills and experience match what we’re looking for. If you don’t hear back from us within 10 days, please don’t be too disappointed – we may keep your CV on our database for any future vacancies and we would encourage you to keep an eye on our career opportunities as there may be other suitable roles.
If you do not want us to retain your details, please email global.ta@nccgroup.com. All personal data is held in accordance with the NCC Group Privacy Policy (
candidate-privacy-notice-261023.pdf (nccgroupplc.com)
). We are committed to diversity and flexibility in the workplace. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you during the application process, please tell us at any stage.
Please note that this role involves mandatory pre-employment background checks due to the nature of the work NCC Group does. To apply, you must be willing and able to undergo the vetting process. This role being advertised will be subject to BS7858 screening as a mandatory requirement.

Please refer the Job description for details