Senior Security Manager in England

A leading UK digital technology and consulting organisation is looking for an experienced Security Controller to take a lead role in protecting people, projects, facilities and customer engagements across a highly regulated government and Defence environment.

This is an opportunity for an experienced Security Controller, Security Manager, Personnel Security Officer or Defence Security professional to join an organisation delivering complex digital programmes for public-sector and national-security customers.

The role will combine personnel security, physical security, government vetting, security assurance, risk management and security governance, working closely with delivery teams, corporate functions, customers and government stakeholders.

The Role

As Security Controller, the successful candidate will help ensure that projects, people and facilities operate in accordance with government security requirements, customer obligations and recognised industry best practice.

The position will act as a trusted security advisor across the organisation, helping teams understand and implement effective security policies, procedures and controls while building a strong and sustainable security culture.

Key responsibilities will include

• Developing, implementing and maintaining personnel and physical security policies, procedures and protocols.
• Managing security requirements across customer projects and internal business functions.
• Supporting BPSS, UKSV and national security clearance processes, ensuring personnel security requirements are managed effectively.
• Managing security aftercare activities, including Changes of Circumstances, overseas travel briefings and security incident reporting.
• Supporting compliance with government and Defence security requirements, including IPSA and Facility Security Clearance (FSC) where applicable.
• Conducting security audits, reviews and risk assessments and coordinating appropriate corrective actions.
• Identifying emerging security threats and communicating relevant risks, mitigations and required actions to employees, partners and delivery teams.
• Working with project teams, HR, line managers and corporate functions to embed security requirements into onboarding, delivery and operational processes.
• Managing customer security checks and onboarding requirements to enable personnel to join sensitive projects efficiently while maintaining compliance.
• Supporting government, customer and contracting-authority security inspections and ensuring appropriate records, documentation and evidence are available.
• Providing security advice and guidance to delivery teams working on government, Defence and national-security programmes.
• Developing security awareness and helping create a strong organisational culture around personnel, physical and information security.
• Coaching colleagues and stakeholders on security best practice and lessons learned.
• Contributing to security improvement initiatives and supporting the continual development of security governance.

About You

The organisation is looking for a security professional who combines strong knowledge of UK government security requirements with the confidence to work across technical, operational and business environments.

You will ideally have

• Current UK national security clearance, such as SC or DV.
• Strong practical knowledge of BPSS and UK Security Vetting (UKSV) processes.
• Experience working within government, Defence, national security or another highly regulated environment.
• Experience developing and implementing personnel security and physical security policies and procedures.
• Practical experience managing security risks, assessments, audits and remediation activities.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience delivering security briefings, awareness activities, coaching or mentoring.
• The ability to interpret security requirements and translate them into practical processes that delivery teams can follow.
• The confidence to work with senior stakeholders, customers and government representatives.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing security requirements in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable Experience

• Experience in one or more of the following would be highly advantageous:
• Previous experience as a Security Controller or Security Officer.
• IPSA and/or Facility Security Clearance (FSC) experience.
• Experience working on MOD, Defence, National Security, Home Office or wider UK Government programmes.
• Experience within a digital technology, software engineering or IT consulting organisation.
• Experience working directly with government customers or contracting authorities.
• Experience supporting security inspections and government assurance activities.
• Experience working within a Project Management Office (PMO) or complex programme environment.
• Active involvement in professional security communities, industry groups or security awareness initiatives.
• Experience working in client-facing or customer-site environments.