Consultant Chief Information Security Officer - M&A - Part Time

We are AMS. We are a global total workforce solutions firm; we enable organisations to thrive in an age of constant change by building, re-shaping, and optimising workforces. Our Contingent Workforce Solutions (CWS) is one of our service offerings; we act as an extension of our clients' recruitment team and provide professional interim and temporary resources.

Our client is a well-known building society with headquarters in Swindon; As one of the largest savings and mortgage providers in the UK, 15 million members are at the heart of everything they do.

On behalf of this organisation, AMS are looking for a Consultant CISO for an initial 6-month contract on a part time basis (2-3 days/week per your preference.) This role is offered on a hybrid basis with offices in London.

Purpose of the Role:

A rare opportunity to advise at the highest levels on one of the UK's most significant retail banking integrations.

As part of the acquisition of a leading UK challenger bank by one of the country's largest mutuals, the organisation is navigating a complex regulatory and operational landscape-particularly across the security domain. The Chief Risk Officer is seeking an experienced Information Security practitioner to act as an independent advisor throughout this transformation, helping to ensure robust oversight of security risk exposures, integration controls, and executive strategies.

This role is not delivery-based-it is a board-facing advisory engagement offering meaningful influence at the centre of a high-profile M&A programme. You'll be instrumental in shaping how the organisation understands and mitigates its security risks as integration proceeds, ensuring both 1st and 2nd Lines are aligned with best practice and regulatory expectations.

Responsibilities of the role:

• Provide expert-level Security advice directly to the CRO during the integration of the acquired bank into the wider group.

• Assess the reasonableness of 1st Line security risk identification and management across both standalone (Virgin Money) and integrated (Nationwide) contexts.

• Review and challenge Executive- and Board-level security strategies and assessments, especially where they pertain to integration risk.

• Advise on the effectiveness and sufficiency of existing and proposed action plans to manage security risk exposure.

• Identify gaps or weaknesses in current oversight and support the 2nd Line Operational Risk function in prioritising targeted assurance activities.

• Support regulatory confidence by helping to ensure the group's evolving security posture is resilient, proportionate, and well-articulated at senior levels.

What we require from the candidate:

Senior Security leadership experience, ideally as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or equivalent within a regulated financial services institution.

• Alternatively, practitioner-level consultancy experience advising banks or FS clients on security risk, oversight, and strategy-ideally during M&A or integration scenarios.

• Proven understanding of 1st and 2nd Line responsibilities relating to security and operational risk in a banking environment.

• Demonstrated ability to challenge and shape board-level security strategy, and to influence senior decision-making with authority and insight.

• Strong regulatory awareness, particularly regarding expectations around security in large-scale change or acquisition programmes.

• Comfortable working in a flexible advisory capacity (2-3 days/week), including periodic on-site time in London (expected once/week).

Next steps:

This client will only accept workers operating via an Umbrella or PAYE engagement model.

If you are interested in applying for this position and meet the criteria outlined above, please click the link to apply and we will contact you with an update in due course.

AMS, a Recruitment Process Outsourcing Company, may in the delivery of some of its services be deemed to operate as an Employment Agency or an Employment Business.