Head Of Security

Encord is hiring a Head Of Security in London, United Kingdom. Level rates it ; you can apply on Encord.

Level's read on this job

Works on AI ●●●○ is how Level rates this role: the daily work is on AI products, without building the model.
Tools and skills the posting cites include Google Cloud, security strategy and appsec.
Level classifies it as a lead role.
Level lists 37 other open roles at Encord.
The role was posted in the last few days.

AI in this role

Lead company-wide security, compliance, and AI guardrails for an AI data platform startup.

Google Cloud

security-strategyappseccloud-securitycomplianceiso-27001soc-2incident-response

About us

Encord is the universal data layer for AI that helps 300+ AI teams train and run models on the right data. Our platform indexes, curates, annotates, and evaluates data across the full AI lifecycle, from development through production.

Trusted by Woven by Toyota, AXA, UiPath, Zipline, and more. We're an ambitious team of 100+ working at the frontier of AI and have raised $60M in Series C funding from Wellington Management, CRV, Next47 and Y Combinator.

The role
Encord is the data layer for Physical AI and enterprise AI, trusted by 300+ teams including Toyota, Hitachi, and AbbVie with their most sensitive real-world data. As our first Head of Security, you'll own security across the company: product, infrastructure, corporate, and compliance. You'll set the strategy, build the team, and grow into the CISO role as we scale.

What you'll do

Own the security strategy and roadmap across application, cloud, corporate, and AI security.
Build and lead the security team, hiring across AppSec, cloud, and GRC as we grow.
Embed secure-by-design practices into engineering, covering threat modelling, the secure SDLC, and pentest and bug bounty programs.
Own ISO 27001, SOC 2, and emerging AI standards such as ISO 42001, plus GDPR and HIPAA readiness for healthcare customers.
Act as the security voice to enterprise customers: due diligence, executive briefings, and contractual security terms.
Lead incident response and report security risk to the exec team and board.
Set guardrails for how Encord builds with and adopts AI, including LLM risks, data handling, and vendor reviews.

What we're looking for

10+ years in security, including 3+ years owning or leading the security function at a high-growth tech or SaaS company.
Strong technical depth in at least one of AppSec or cloud security (GCP ideal), with enough breadth to lead across all domains.
A track record of delivering ISO 27001 and/or SOC 2 as the accountable owner.
Experience building and managing security teams from early stage.
Credibility with engineers, enterprise customers, and the board, with a pragmatic approach that enables speed rather than blocking it.

Nice to have

Experience securing ML/AI platforms or data-intensive products.
Experience in regulated sectors such as healthcare, life sciences, or automotive.
A background as a hands-on engineer before moving into leadership.

Why Encord

Competitive salary, and meaningful equity in a high-growth startup
Strong in-person culture — most of the team works from our London office 4+ days/week
25 days annual leave + UK public holidays
Annual learning & development budget
Travel for customer visits, events, and conferences across the UK and Europe
Daily company lunches
Monthly socials & bi-annual team offsites

Operating principles

High agency

You see something broken, you fix it or find the person who can. We celebrate the people who solve 90% of a problem before anyone asks.

Build with care & urgency

We bear-hug the customer. Former founders and people from fast-moving, high-stakes environments thrive here.

Self-aware & hungry

We stay warm, self-aware, and genuinely hungry. We elevate our peers, and ego doesn't last long.

Invent in real time

We move toward the ambiguity. We’re pragmatic, resourceful, energized by the fact that there's no playbook.

If you're looking to do the most meaningful work of your career alongside people who push you to be better, we'd love to meet you.

How we rate this

Head Of Security at Encord rates 65 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Works on AI (AI Level 3 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Works on AI. The daily work is on AI products, without building the model.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.

Key facts

Head Of Security is an open job at Encord.
Level rates this role AI Level 3 of 4: Works on AI.
The role is based in London.
The job was posted on November 12, 2026.
Seniority: lead.
Applications are handled by Encord. Apply on Encord

Prepare for this job

Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.

Skills and AI tools this role asks for

Security StrategyAppsecCloud SecurityComplianceIso 27001Soc 2Incident ResponseGoogle Cloud

Questions you could be asked

Tell me about a project where security strategy was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where appsec was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where cloud security was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where compliance was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where iso 27001 was part of your work. What did you do?

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: Security Strategy, Appsec, Cloud Security, Compliance, and Iso 27001. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.
Show where AI is part of your daily process, not a one-off project. This role expects it to be a running habit.

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