Head of Protective Security

Overall Purpose of the Role

Provide strategic leadership and management of multiple teams responsible for regulatory and operational protective security activities across the organisation. Accountable for making complex, judgement-based decisions requiring advanced analytical thinking and consideration of business-wide impacts. The role requires comprehensive expertise across multiple security disciplines, including physical, personnel and electronic security, together with a deep understanding of how security supports wider business objectives while ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory and industry requirements.

The Head of Protective Security will influence strategic decision-making, engage effectively with senior internal and external stakeholders, and provide thought leadership on security matters. The role is responsible for challenging existing approaches, driving innovation, and developing pragmatic security solutions that balance organisational, operational and regulatory needs.

Scope of the Role

• Act as the organisation’s recognised subject matter expert in protective security, providing senior leadership and professional guidance across the business.
• Develop innovative and effective security solutions that meet regulatory, operational and business requirements.
• Define and deliver the protective security strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and influencing wider functional strategies.
• Maintain an in-depth understanding of security disciplines and their contribution to organisational resilience, regulatory compliance and business performance.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders, including Executive Directors, Board members, regulatory bodies, government agencies and strategic partners.
• Lead multidisciplinary security teams operating across multiple locations and functions.
• Develop and manage departmental budgets, ensuring effective allocation of resources and delivery within agreed financial targets.
• Serve as the primary organisational contact for regulators and external assurance bodies regarding protective security compliance and performance.
• Maintain effective partnerships with relevant law enforcement agencies, security authorities and government organisations.
• Drive enterprise-wide security programmes and initiatives, ensuring alignment with recognised best practice and industry standards.
• Sponsor and oversee strategic security frameworks, systems and service partnerships.
• Demonstrate strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills at executive and board level.
• Operate effectively in a dynamic, regulated and fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities and programmes simultaneously.
• Provide resilient leadership during periods of change, emerging threats and business transformation.

Major Accountabilities

Lead, manage, support and develop direct reports to ensure the effective delivery of protective security operations and programmes.

Own the identification, assessment and reporting of security risks, representing security at governance forums and providing strategic advice to senior leadership.

Ensure the provision of effective security governance, assurance and compliance activities across the organisation, meeting regulatory and internal security requirements.

Develop business cases, strategic plans and investment proposals, making decisions that deliver measurable business value and financial benefit.

Develop and implement organisational strategies that strengthen protective security capability, resilience and compliance.

Experience and Capability Requirements

Knowledge and Experience

• Extensive knowledge of security legislation, regulatory requirements, industry standards and security best practice, together with their practical application.
• Significant experience operating in a senior security leadership role within a regulated or critical national infrastructure environment.
• Proven record of delivering and maintaining regulatory compliance within complex organisations.
• Experience contributing to major capital programmes, large-scale construction projects and organisational transformation activities.
• Degree-qualified in a security-related discipline or equivalent professional experience.
• Professional membership of a recognised security body, such as ASIS International or The Security Institute, with evidence of continuing professional development.
• Holder of a full UK driving licence.
• Demonstrable experience leading change programmes and driving continuous improvement in security performance, compliance and culture.
• Extensive understanding of security risk management frameworks, security governance and protective security principles.
• Experience implementing security policies, standards and regulatory requirements within business-as-usual operations.
• Specialist technical knowledge in areas such as electronic security systems, alarm monitoring, critical infrastructure protection, operational technology security, or construction security would be advantageous.
• Working knowledge of Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and their application to protective security.
• Experience embedding security requirements into the design and delivery of major infrastructure and construction projects.
• Proven ability to engage and influence Executive Directors, Boards and senior leadership teams.

Desirable

• Chartered Security Professional (CSyP) status.
• Relevant postgraduate or advanced professional qualifications in security, resilience, risk management or related disciplines.

Capabilities

• Exceptional leadership capability, with the ability to deliver organisational and behavioural change while balancing security, operational and commercial priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the production of high-quality reports, presentations and briefings.
• Strong stakeholder management and networking skills, with a proven ability to build trusted relationships and influence at executive level.
• Outstanding negotiation, influencing and contract management skills.
• Ability to inspire high performance, commitment and professional credibility within teams and across the wider organisation.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to assess complex situations, prioritise risks and develop effective solutions.
• Highly organised and able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Resilient, adaptable and effective under pressure.
• Willingness and flexibility to travel as required across operational locations.

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