Information Security Governance Risk & Compliance Assurance Specialist

About The Role

Guide Dogs - Be Part of Something Life ‑ Changing

Come and join us as an engaging and expert Information Security Governance, Risk & Compliance Assurance Specialist (IS GRC Assurance Specialist), and be part of something life‑changing - helping people with sight loss live the life they choose

As an IS GRC Assurance Specialist at Guide Dogs, you’ll ensure Guide Dogs’ information assets are protected through robust security governance, effective risk management, and strong compliance assurance. The IS GRC Assurance Specialist will be an expert in strengthening information security governance, managing cyber risks, and driving compliance assurance across frameworks such as ISO 27001, NIST and Cyber Essentials. Our IS GRC Assurance Specialist plays a huge part in supporting the Organisation’s mission by helping to maintain secure and trusted services for our service users, volunteers, employees, and partners.

This role will be predominantly homebased with occasional attendance at your nearest Guide Dogs office . You’ll be working 35 hours per week, worked 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and enhance information security governance by updating policies, standards, and procedures in line with recognised frameworks.
• Manage and monitor cyber security risks, supporting the full lifecycle from identification to mitigation and reporting.
• Lead internal audits and compliance assessments, ensuring effective planning, coordination, and follow‑through on findings.
• Support external audit and certification activities, preparing evidence, responding to auditor queries, and coordinating with internal teams.
• Produce clear, insightful reporting on cyber security posture, risk assessments, and compliance status for both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Strengthen the organisation’s security culture by engaging stakeholders with policies, training, and awareness initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement in security controls, governance practices, and the wider Information Security Strategy.

You

You’ll have a highly collaborative and analytical approach to information security governance, risk management and compliance. You’ll enjoy working in a fast‑paced, multi‑stakeholder environment with a dedicated focus on embedding security frameworks and continuous improvement, whilst being committed to protecting information assets and supporting Guide Dogs’ mission. You’ll act with integrity and honesty in everything you do.

Skills and Competencies

• Degree in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) OR a strong track record working in a similar role. Demonstrable commitment to continual professional development in relevant functional and/or technical IT security areas.
• Knowledge of information security management principles and modern governance, risk, and compliance practices.
• Knowledge of recognised information security standards and good‑practice frameworks.
• Knowledge of audit processes and risk management procedures, including control assurance and remediation practices.
• Knowledge of GDPR and core data protection principles applicable to the handling of personal and sensitive information.
• Experience collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders across different business functions, both internal and external.
• Experience analysing and presenting complex information in a concise, meaningful way to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Experience using Microsoft applications and dashboards or other technical tools to support reporting, analysis, or assurance activities.

Benefits

We wouldn’t be able to change the lives of people with sight loss without our people. That’s why it’s important for us to provide a variety of benefits that reward our colleagues in a way that suits them and recognises the hard work and contribution that they make.

• 26 days annual leave. After three years of continuous employment, this increases to 28 days plus bank holidays.
• Real Living Wage Employer
• Flex pot - equal to a proportion of your annual salary to use on our wide variety of flexible benefits
• The option to buy and sell annual leave
• Discounts and cash-back scheme
• Excellent pension scheme (We will match your pension contributions plus 2% up to a maximum of 9% employer contribution)
• And lots more!

For high volumes of applications, we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than advertised.

About Us

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Behind Every Guide Dog Is Someone Like You - We’re passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that celebrates and values diversity. Bring your whole self to work regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. We don’t want you to ‘fit’ our culture, we want you to enrich it.

How to apply

Further details on the full role are attached below. When you are ready to apply, submit an online application form via this page. Please note - If you are successful you will need to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK via our digital ID checking supplier. We cannot offer visa sponsorship at this time.

As part of your application ensure you provide evidence and examples of how your skills & experience meet the criteria as set out in the attached job description. You will also be asked to complete a few job-specific questions, so please be prepared to write your answers to these questions.

If you choose to use AI tools to assist in completing your application, please use them appropriately. We value authenticity. If you want to stand out, using a generic AI-generated response isn’t going to separate you from the crowd. This is your time to shine and showcase your unique skills, personality, and thought processes! You can find our full statement on the use of AI to complete applications on our careers website.

If you would like to have an informal conversation about the role before applying, or require any accessibility support to apply, our friendly recruitment team is ready and waiting to help. Call them on 0118 3540345 or drop an email to [email protected] .

Safer recruitment

Guide Dogs follow Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding the vulnerable people we work with. As part of this, we require a full work history with any gaps accounted for & a minimum of 2 professional referee details fully covering the past 5 years. If you are applying for a disclosure role, please note that you will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and sign up to the DBS update service.

At Guide Dogs, we believe in fair and equitable hiring practices. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration for a position. Each case will be evaluated individually. We encourage all candidates to disclose relevant information, and we assure you that it will be handled confidentially and fairly.