Security Controller in Portsmouth

We are looking for a Security Controller to join our growing and exciting company in the Portsmouth area. Reporting to the Group Chief Information Security Officer, this role is based at our site in Portsmouth, where we require the successful candidate to be a commutable distance from our premises. Whilst responsible for the day‑to‑day local security of the CMS2 site, specialising in the design and manufacture of atmospheric control systems for the defence industry, this role sits in the central security function of Science Group, an international science, engineering and technology (SET) business listed on the AIM stock market. Although based at the CMS2 site with responsibility for day‑to‑day local security, this role will support the security team across several different business entities. Whilst the role will predominantly be based in Portsmouth there will be occasional travel required to our other Science Group sites in the UK.

The Role

We are looking for an organised and process‑focused individual to support the Security function by maintaining robust security policies, procedures, records and assurance activities across the CMS2 site and wider Science Group businesses. The role will be responsible for helping to embed consistent security processes, ensuring documentation is accurate and controlled, supporting audit readiness, and promoting compliance with applicable security requirements. Any vetting‑related activity will be undertaken in a supporting capacity to the Personnel Security Officer, rather than as the primary owner of personnel security or clearance decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and administer local security policies, procedures, work instructions and supporting records, ensuring they remain accurate, controlled and aligned with the Business Management System.
• Support the development, implementation and continuous improvement of site security processes, including access control, secure storage, asset handling, incident reporting, visitor management and security awareness activities.
• Act as the local point of coordination for security process adherence at CMS2, ensuring agreed procedures are followed consistently and that non‑compliance, gaps or improvement opportunities are escalated appropriately.
• Manage and maintain security registers, logs and evidence records, including those relating to secure room assets, monthly musters, controlled items, entry passes, security aspects letters, foreign visits and security briefings.
• Coordinate secure room asset management processes, including receipt, movement, transportation, periodic checks, destruction and record keeping in accordance with defined procedures.
• Administer employee, contractor and visitor access processes, including security inductions, entry passes and local access records, ensuring appropriate approvals and audit trails are retained.
• Support the Personnel Security Officer with vetting administration, including BPSS checks, clearance tracking and liaison with the central vetting team regarding SC and DV clearances.
• Assist with the process for staff reporting changes in personal circumstances, ensuring relevant information is captured, recorded and escalated in line with established personnel security procedures.
• Coordinate IVCO requests and foreign visit processes, ensuring required information, approvals and records are managed in accordance with applicable security requirements.
• Deliver or coordinate security and travel briefings in line with current guidance, clearance levels and documented local processes.
• Support the maintenance and communication of security training materials, ensuring staff understand local procedures and know how to report concerns, incidents or process deviations.
• Work with IT to support defined access control processes for networks and systems, ensuring requests, approvals and changes are appropriately documented.
• Support security related ITAR and export control compliance activities on site by helping to maintain local records, follow agreed processes and escalating queries or potential issues to the Trade Compliance Officer.
• Report security incidents to the CISO and support investigations by gathering evidence, maintaining records, tracking actions and ensuring corrective actions are documented through to closure.
• Support government, customer and internal audits by maintaining audit‑ready records, coordinating evidence, responding to process queries and tracking audit actions through to completion.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

The right applicant for this role will be highly organised, process‑mindful and comfortable working in a controlled environment where accuracy, confidentiality and attention to detail are essential. They will have:

• A proactive approach and an eagerness to learn within a security, compliance or regulated environment.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage processes, records, trackers and actions through to completion.
• Excellent attention to detail and a methodical approach to maintaining accurate documentation and audit evidence.
• An understanding of the importance of policy compliance, process control and confidentiality.
• Strong communication skills, with the confidence to liaise with internal teams, external stakeholders and staff at all levels.
• A tenacious and practical approach to resolving process issues, closing actions and escalating concerns where appropriate.
• Comfortable working in an office‑based environment and handling sensitive information appropriately.
• It would be beneficial to have some experience in ISO27001, ISO9001, Secure By Design and government related security requirements.
• Good IT skills, particularly Microsoft Office applications; experience with SharePoint or document management systems would be a bonus.
• A strong academic background or equivalent experience in administration, compliance, security, quality or a related discipline.

Applicant Requirements

If you are interested in applying for this role, you must have:

• Existing right to live and work in the UK and have resided in the UK for the last 5 consecutive years.
• Will need to undergo an internal BPSS check prior to gaining site access.
• Will also need to either hold a current security clearance or be willing and eligible to undergo a Security clearance check upon starting your employment with the company. To gain security clearance you will need at least 5 years’ UK residency.

Benefits

We will support you in expanding your skills and capabilities including providing formal training opportunities. In addition, we offer a highly competitive salary and benefits package.