Head of Security

Head of Security Engineering
At Holland & Barrett, we are a 200-year-old startup that has undergone a radical
digital transformation. Our technology landscape is a complex, hybrid ecosystem
spanning modern cloud platforms, corporate IT systems, and a vast network of
operational technology (OT) across our retail stores and factories. We are seeking a
visionary and strategic Head of Security to lead our entire technical security function,
protecting our business from code to customer.
The Ambition
Our goal is to build and mature a holistic, intelligence-driven security program that
provides unified protection across our diverse technology estate. This means
securing our primary cloud platform on AWS and a smaller footprint in Azure,
embedding security into our application development lifecycle, and hardening our
corporate IT infrastructure. It also involves extending robust security controls to our
unique operational technology, including in-house and modern tills, handheld
devices, and other systems that power our stores and factories. We aim to create a
resilient and agile security posture that enables innovation while defending against
sophisticated threats.
The Role
As the Head of Security, you will be the senior leader responsible for the vision,
strategy, and execution of our entire security engineering and operations program.
You will lead a multi-disciplinary organisation encompassing Security Engineering,
Application Security, Cloud Security, and IT/OT Security. This is a pivotal leadership
role that requires a deep understanding of both modern cloud-native security and the
unique challenges of securing physical retail and operational environments. You will
be the principal architect of our defence-in-depth strategy, responsible for protecting
all digital and technical assets of the company.
What You'll Do
You will define and execute a comprehensive security strategy and roadmap that
addresses the full spectrum of our technological risks. You will lead, mentor, and
scale our security teams, fostering a culture of engineering excellence, collaboration,
and continuous improvement. You will provide strategic oversight for our cloud
security program, ensuring the secure configuration and operation of our AWS and
Azure environments. You will champion our application security program, maturing
our secure software development lifecycle (SDLC) from threat modeling to secure
deployment. You will also develop and implement a robust security framework for our
IT and OT environments, creating a unified approach to securing everything from
corporate networks to in-store handheld devices and tills. You will partner with
executive leadership, technology peers, and business stakeholders to ensure
security is a key consideration in all strategic initiatives.

What You'll Bring
 Extensive experience in a senior security leadership role (e.g., Head of
Security, Director of Security Engineering) with a proven track record of
building and leading high-performing, multi-disciplinary security teams.
 Broad and deep expertise across multiple security domains, including Security
Engineering, Application Security, Cloud Security, and IT Security.
 Specific experience developing and implementing security strategies for both
major cloud platforms (AWS strongly preferred, Azure is a plus) and
physical/operational environments (retail, IoT, or OT).
 Demonstrable experience securing a complex, hybrid environment that
includes both modern, cloud-native applications and legacy or in-house
systems.
 Strong strategic planning capabilities, with the ability to create and execute a
long-term security roadmap that aligns with business objectives.
 Exceptional leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence
and build consensus at all levels of the organization, from engineers to the
executive board.
 A pragmatic and business-oriented approach to security, with a focus on
enabling the business while managing risk effectively.
Why Holland & Barrett?
This is a unique opportunity to lead the entire technical security function for a
globally recognized brand with a uniquely complex and challenging technology
footprint. You will have the autonomy to shape the future of security at Holland &
Barrett, with the resources and executive support to build a best-in-class program.
We offer a competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits package, and a flexible
working environment. If you are a strategic and transformational security leader
excited by the challenge of protecting a diverse, hybrid enterprise, we would love to
hear from you.