Security Operations Lead

We are looking for an experienced Security Operations Lead to join and help build a high-performing, internationally focused security function during a period of significant growth.

Reporting directly to the Head of Security, you will lead the day-to-day delivery of security operations across our people, facilities, technology, assets and operational environments.

Key Responsibilities

1. Security Operations Leadership

• Lead the day-to-day delivery of security operations across the organisation.
• Establish clear operational standards, policy, procedure, accountabilities and performance measures.
• Develop and maintain security operating procedures, post orders, escalation arrangements and incident response playbooks.
• Act as a senior operational deputy to the Head of Security when required.
• Lead the security response to significant incidents, emergencies and operational deployments.
• Develop a consistent operating model across UK and international locations.
• Ensure security operations remain scalable as the organisation grows.
• Continually identify opportunities to improve operational effectiveness, capability and service delivery.

1. Security Workforce & Guarding Operations

• Lead and develop the security operations workforce, including directly employed personnel and contracted security providers.
• Establish the appropriate balance between in-house capability and specialist external provision.
• Set clear standards for recruitment, training, competence, conduct and professional development.
• Manage guarding contracts and ensure suppliers deliver against agreed KPIs, SLAs and contractual requirements.
• Ensure consistent standards across security teams, including appearance, conduct, customer service, reporting and escalation.
• Build a strong team culture based on professionalism, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Ensure security personnel are appropriately trained and competent to operate within secure and controlled environments.

1. Physical & Site Security

• Lead the operational security of offices, manufacturing facilities, operational locations and sensitive sites.
• Establish appropriate access control, perimeter protection, patrol, search, visitor management and control-room arrangements.
• Ensure security requirements are incorporated into new facilities and major construction projects from the outset.
• Work with Facilities, Estates and Workplace teams to embed security by design.
• Ensure appropriate protective measures are implemented for sensitive, high-value or strategically important locations.
• Establish consistent physical security standards across the organisation while allowing for local operational requirements.

1. Security Technology & Systems

• Define operational requirements for physical security technology, including:
• CCTV and video management systems
• Electronic access control
• Intrusion detection
• Visitor management
• Alarm and monitoring systems
• Security communications and control-room technology
• Ensure security technology is reliable, appropriately maintained and fit for purpose.
• Work closely with IT and Cyber Security to ensure security systems are appropriately connected, protected and governed.
• Support the integration of physical security technology with wider security monitoring and incident-management capabilities.
• Ensure technology suppliers are appropriately selected, managed and held accountable.
• Maintain appropriate availability, maintenance and lifecycle arrangements for critical security systems.

1. Defence, Government & High-Assurance Security

• Lead the operational delivery of security arrangements across secure and controlled defence environments.
• Ensure sites, personnel, information, equipment and activities operate in accordance with applicable UK defence, government and customer security requirements.
• Establish and maintain effective security arrangements for restricted, controlled and sensitive areas, including access control, guarding, visitor management, incident response and physical protection.
• Support the organisation’s delivery of security requirements associated with government and defence contracts and programmes.
• Work closely with the Head of Security and relevant security authorities to ensure appropriate standards are maintained across secure locations.
• Support security inspections, audits, assurance activity and customer or government reviews.
• Ensure security personnel understand and consistently apply the specific operating requirements of secure and controlled environments.
• Maintain operational readiness to respond to changing government, defence and customer security requirements.

1. Supply Chain & Asset Protection

• Develop effective security arrangements for the movement, storage and protection of high-value equipment, products and assets.
• Work with Procurement, Operations, Logistics and suppliers to identify and address security vulnerabilities.
• Establish appropriate chain-of-custody, anti-tamper, transportation and loss-prevention measures.
• Support security requirements for manufacturing, logistics and international operations.
• Ensure security expectations are clearly established for critical third parties and suppliers.

1. Threat, Intelligence & Incident Management

• Work with the wider Security function to translate threat intelligence into practical operational measures.
• Ensure security teams understand the threat environment relevant to their locations and activities.
• Lead operational security responses to significant incidents.
• Establish effective escalation and reporting arrangements.
• Work with Cyber Security, Intelligence, HR, Legal and other functions on incidents involving multiple security disciplines.
• Ensure lessons identified from incidents are converted into practical improvements.
• Maintain effective incident reporting and management processes across all operational locations.

1. Major Events & Executive Security

• Lead security planning for major corporate events, exhibitions, demonstrations, customer visits and international engagements.
• Develop appropriate security plans for executives, VIPs and other high-profile visitors.
• Coordinate internal security teams, contracted security, venue security, emergency services and other partners.
• Ensure appropriate contingency and emergency arrangements are established for significant events.
• Support the Head of Security in protecting senior executives when required.

1. External Relationships

• Build and maintain effective professional relationships with:
• Police and law-enforcement agencies
• Counter-terrorism and security partners
• Emergency services
• Government and defence security authorities
• Landlords and facilities providers
• Security service providers
• Key customers and strategic partners
• Represent the organisation professionally during security incidents, investigations, audits and official engagements.

1. Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Become a trusted security partner to senior leaders and business functions.
• Provide clear, concise and practical advice.
• Challenge constructively where security requirements are not being met.
• Balance security requirements with operational and commercial realities.
• Build strong relationships across Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, IT, Cyber Security, HR, Legal, Finance, Procurement and Facilities.
• Promote a culture where security is viewed as an enabler of growth and operational excellence, rather than simply a control function.