Security Manager in Reading

Closing Date: 24th August 2026

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking. Due to the classified nature of the work involved, there are limited opportunities to work from home in this role. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will spend the majority of their time working on site at AWE Aldermaston.

Package: From £48,950 per annum (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience). A relocation package may be available (terms and conditions apply). Plus allowance for on-call Rota Duty.

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.

Ready to play your part? At AWE, it's not just a job, it's far more than that. Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe. Could this role be the opportunity for you to play your part?

Join AWE Security - Protecting What Matters Most. AWE is seeking exceptional leaders to join our Security Team during one of the most exciting and strategically significant periods in both AWE's and the UK's history. This is more than a job - it is an opportunity to be part of an organisation delivering work of national importance while helping shape the future of security across a complex and evolving environment.

The Role: As a Security Manager, you will lead people, influence decision-making, and solve complex security challenges in support of critical business operations. You will work collaboratively with stakeholders across AWE to identify risks, develop proportionate security solutions, and ensure effective security governance and assurance. This role requires an individual who is comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment, taking ownership of outcomes, and leading others to achieve high standards of performance.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Leading and developing individuals and high-performing teams.
• Identifying, assessing and mitigating security risks across diverse programmes and operations.
• Developing and maintaining security management arrangements, policies, standards and requirements.
• Providing expert security advice to stakeholders across the business.
• Influencing decision-making through clear communication and evidence-based recommendations.
• Driving continuous improvement, innovation and the adoption of best practice.
• Supporting the delivery of security assurance and performance measurement activities.
• Building collaborative relationships across multidisciplinary teams.
• Line management responsibilities may form part of this role.

Who are we looking for? You may come from a security, project management, engineering, military, regulatory, risk, or other complex operational background. Most importantly, you'll be a motivated leader with a passion for problem-solving and continuous improvement.

You will enjoy:

• Leading and developing people.
• Solving complex challenges.
• Driving innovation and improvement.
• Collaborating to influence positive outcomes.
• Working in high-stakes environments where the mission matters.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience identifying, assessing and mitigating risk.
• Knowledge of governance frameworks, standards or management systems.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
• A proactive, resilient and adaptable approach.

Experience We Value: We're particularly interested in candidates with experience in:

• Security planning and operations.
• Defence, national security, nuclear or other highly regulated environments.
• Infrastructure, major programmes or technical projects.
• Engineering, technology or risk management.
• Protecting high-value or sensitive assets.
• Experience in Physical, Personnel, Information or Security Risk Management would be advantageous.

What Success Looks Like: You'll deliver effective security outcomes, support organisational objectives, develop high-performing teams, and maintain robust security governance and assurance.

If you're ready to lead, influence and make a meaningful contribution to national security, we'd like to hear from you.

Work hard, be rewarded: We ask a lot and set the bar high because our work truly matters. In return we offer balance, with award winning benefits including:

• 9-day working fortnight - meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
• Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.