Cyber Proactive Protection Lead

Join HMRC's Fraud Prevention Centre and lead the fight against online fraud. We're looking for a Proactive Protection Lead (Grade 7) to spearhead fraud detection and response across HMRC's digital services. This is a high-impact leadership role where you'll manage teams of analysts and drive proactive strategies to identify, disrupt, and prevent fraudulent activity at scale. You'll oversee digital profiling of user interactions, manage complex risk rules to automate interventions, and lead investigations into anomalies and suspicious behaviours.

Working at the heart of HMRC's transformation, you'll be ensuring the effective exploitation of our growing range of technical capabilities, including advanced analytics, fraud detection and behavioural analytics, and threat intelligence with big data and SIEM platforms like Splunk, enabling real-time interventions and data-driven decisions. You'll also collaborate with FPC Customer Operations, compliance teams in Risk, Intelligence and Fraud Investigation, and cyber security specialists to deliver joined-up fraud prevention and incident response. Your work will directly protect millions of taxpayers, safeguard public funds, and strengthen HMRC's digital resilience against evolving threats to identity and access services.

This post will require DV clearance, or be willing and able to achieve that level of clearance. This is considered a 'Reserved Post' under the Civil Service Nationality Rules and is open to UK nationals only.

Person specification

• Lead and develop teams of security and fraud analysts by example, driving excellence in proactive fraud prevention, detection and response all customer communications channels.
• Design and manage risk rules to identify suspicious patterns and behaviours across HMRC's digital services, partnering with HMRC Compliance & Customer teams.
• Conduct digital profiling of suspect interactions, leveraging intelligence, behavioural analytics to drive response activity and develop automated interventions.
• Investigate anomalies and suspicious activity, applying intelligence-led approaches to disrupt fraudulent behaviour or influence customer compliance.
• Work closely with FPC Threat Intelligence to understand threats and their scope and scale, FPC Engineering to inform controls, and FPC Performance on reporting.
• Partner with wider HMRC compliance teams, including Risk, Intelligence, and Fraud Investigation, to share insights and coordinate fraud disruption strategies.
• Analyse large-scale datasets using tools like Splunk, applying advanced techniques and developing tools and dashboards to support efficient action by junior analysts.
• Integrate threat intelligence and data enrichment services (e.g., email, phone reputation) into detection workflows.
• Work closely with FPC Customer Operations teams to investigate suspicious activity linked to customer reporting and ensure timely resolution.
• Support incident management investigations, providing technical expertise and analysis to inform response actions and track them to conclusion.
• Drive continuous improvement through automation, intelligence sharing, and feedback loops across FPC and partner teams.
• Build strong partnerships across FPC and HMRC (including our Customer Compliance teams, tax and customs service leads) and with external bodies to ensure a coordinated approach to fraud prevention.
• Support innovation and continuous improvement in fraud prevention techniques, leveraging automation, anomaly detection, and advanced analytics to stay ahead of evolving threats, and ensure a prompt and effective response.
• Adjust fraud prevention controls to protect customers effectively while maintaining trust and minimising friction in HMRC services.

Essential Criteria:

• Proven experience in fraud detection, cyber security, or threat intelligence within a large organisation.
• Experience using data analysis and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platforms, such as Splunk or ELK, preferably in a security operations setting.
• Good technical understanding of web and API services and interaction with client applications, including identity proofing authentication processes.
• Knowledge of applying kill chain methodology and MITRE ATT&CK, including the use of threat intelligence feeds to classify and detect threat actor activity.
• Knowledge of fraud detection techniques, including behavioural analysis and anomaly detection and investigation and OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) methods.
• Strong understanding of cyber security principles, including threat intelligence and incident response.
• Skilled in reporting, presenting, and visualising complex data in creative, digestible formats for different audiences, from senior leaders to development teams.
• Software development and scripting skills in a security or counter-fraud context.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience of applying machine learning and advanced analytics techniques in fraud detection.
• Certifications such as CISM or relevant GIAC qualifications in network defence, threat intelligence and incident handling.
• Academic qualifications in science, technology, engineering or maths subjects.

Reserved Post

This is considered a 'Reserved Post' under the Civil Service Nationality Rules and is open to UK nationals only.

Transitional Sites

For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations .

If your location preference is for one of the following sites, it's important to note that these are not long-term sites for HMRC and we will require you to move to a new building in the future, subject to our location strategy and the applicable employee policies at that time.

These sites are:

• Telford Plaza, Telford - moving to Parkside Court, Telford

You will be given more information about what this means at the job offer stage

Leeds Locations

Moves Adjustment Payment will be available for this role, provided the successful applicant is a current HMRC colleague in Bradford and meets the eligibility requirements outlined in the HMRC's Moves Adjustment Payment guidance.

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• You will be assessed on Technical skills.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £58,541, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £16,959 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.

We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.

• Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues' Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.
• Family friendly policies.
• Personal support.
• Coaching and development.

To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it's really like to work for HMRC hear from our insiders or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

How to Apply

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:

• A name-blind CV including your job history.
• A 1000-word Personal Statement. Your Personal Statement should be used to describe how your skills and experience would be suitable for the advertised role, making reference to the essential criteria and person specification outlined in the advert.

Please complete a separate statement (Max 250 words) for the Desirable Criteria where applicable. This is not essential for the role but may be considered by the vacancy-holder where candidates have the same scores at interview.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift

At sift your CV, and your Personal Statement, will be assessed, with the successful candidates being invited to interview.

We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.

Interview

During the panel interview, your experience will be assessed, you will be asked strength-based questions to explore what you enjoy and your motivations relevant to the job role. You will also be assessed on Technical skills.

This is an example of a strengths-based question:

"It is often said that the customer's needs should come first. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?"

There is no expectation or requirement for you to prepare for the strengths-based questions in advance of the interview, though you may find it helpful to spend some time reflecting on what you enjoy doing and what you do well.

Interviews will take place via video link. Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Eligibility

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, or have withdrawn yourself in error and need your application reinstated whilst the campaign is still live, please contact us via: unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk - Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example - 'Please re-open my application - [insert vacancy ref] & vacancy closing date [insert date]'.

To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application .

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for up to 6 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles - if this applies to you, we'll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.

Merit List

After interview, a single merit list will be created, and you will only be considered for posts in locations you have expressed a preference for. Appointments will be made in strict merit order in line with the set number of roles in each location.

Criminal Record Check

Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.

Hybrid working at HMRC

HMRC is an office-based organisation, and colleagues are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office. Our offices provide opportunity for interaction, collaboration which aids learning and development and a sense of community. Where the role allows it, and where the home environment is suitable, colleagues can work from home for up to 2 days a week, averaged over a calendar month (or a proportionate amount of time for colleagues who work less than full time).

Reasonable Adjustments

We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact the UBS Recruitment team via unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the "Assistance required" section in the "Additional requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Additional Security Information

Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Developed Vetting (DV) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for DV is 10 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.

Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkers:

Please note that this role is unsuitable for contractual homeworkers due to the nature and/or requirements of the role.

Terms and Conditions

Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.

HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations .

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.

Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process.

Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.

Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band.

Please note that, if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.

If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

For more Information for people applying for, or thinking of applying for, roles at HM Revenue and Customs, please see link: Working for HMRC: information for applicants - GOV.UK .

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window) .

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window) .

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window) .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Kay Martin
• Email : kay.mcneil@hmrc.gov.uk
• Telephone : 07771 542616

Recruitment team

• Email : unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk

Further information
Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via ubsrecruitmentcomplaints@hmrc.gov.uk. Please note that we do not accept complaints or appeals regarding scoring of outcomes of campaigns, unless candidates can provide clear evidence that the campaign did not follow the Recruitment Principles. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their website