Crime and Security Manager

At Argos, we’re a digital-led UK retailer that keeps pushing boundaries to meet every generation with what they want, how and when they want it. As a market leader in general merchandise, serving millions of customers through our website, app, same-day delivery and Click & Collect services, we offer real opportunities to learn, grow and shape your career.

Why this role matters

The Crime and Security Manager is accountable for shaping and delivering the Argos crime, physical security and corporate security approach. The role helps create a safe and secure environment for Argos colleagues and customers, protects business assets and operations, and ensures emerging threats, serious incidents and security risks are identified and managed effectively. Reporting to the Head of Central Operations, the role provides Argos-wide leadership and specialist expertise across stores, corporate locations, logistics interfaces, digital and customer operations.

What I am accountable for

• Develop and deliver the Argos crime and security strategy and annual plan, translating emerging threats, business priorities and operational insight into clear, risk-based activity.
• Lead Argos physical and corporate security requirements across stores, corporate locations and relevant operations, setting proportionate standards for access control, guarding, security technology, site risk and the protection of colleagues, customers, visitors, assets and information.
• Own Argos preparedness for and response to serious crime and security incidents, ensuring effective governance, escalation, decision‑making, communication and recovery arrangements aligned with relevant emergency‑service protocols.
• Use horizon scanning, intelligence, incident data and risk assessment to identify emerging threats, crime patterns and vulnerabilities, converting insight into timely operational and investment recommendations.
• Provide senior specialist advice during events such as protest activity, civil disorder, terrorism‑related threats, targeted risks and major operational incidents, coordinating with relevant Argos and Group teams and external agencies.
• Work closely with Procurement to negotiate and implement contracts for security services, such as security equipment and monitoring, manned services, colleague worn cameras, and access control.
• Lead the performance and continuous improvement of third‑party security services supporting Argos, setting clear outcomes, challenging performance in line with contractual SLAs and KPIs and ensuring arrangements deliver capability, compliance, innovation and value.
• Partner with Argos Retail, Central Operations, Property, Facilities, Digital, Technology, Logistics, People, Legal, Safety, Finance and Loss Prevention teams to embed practical crime and security controls into operations, projects and change.
• Provide crime and security leadership for Argos investment, property, proposition and technology decisions, ensuring risks and operational impacts are understood early and controls are commercially sound and customer focused.
• Maintain robust Argos crime and security governance, reporting and audit trails, providing the Head of Central Operations and other senior stakeholders with a clear view of material risks, incidents, actions, decisions and expenditure.
• Build influential relationships with police, emergency services, the National Business Crime Centre, industry bodies, other retailers and specialist partners, representing Argos and using external insight to strengthen our approach.

What I need to know

These are key skills, experience and qualifications required to succeed in this role:

• Detailed knowledge of crime management, physical security and corporate security in a complex retail, customer‑facing or multi‑site environment.
• Strong understanding of criminal and civil law relevant to crime and security, together with police, prosecution, court and evidence processes.
• Detailed knowledge of incident and crisis management, threat assessment, emergency‑service protocols and proportionate response to serious or emerging risks.
• Experience of setting strategy and translating it into practical operating plans, standards, governance and measurable outcomes across a complex organisation.
• Strong supplier and commercial management capability, with experience of setting performance expectations, challenging delivery and securing value from third‑party security services.
• Ability to use intelligence, data, horizon scanning and risk assessment to prioritise resources and make clear, evidence‑based recommendations.
• Strong senior stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the credibility to communicate firmly and calmly in high‑pressure situations and lead beyond formal reporting lines.
• Sound judgement, integrity and discretion when handling sensitive information and making decisions that affect colleague and customer safety, business continuity and reputation.
• Strong understanding of operational change, investment and project activity, with the ability to ensure security is designed in rather than added later.
• Resilience and flexibility, including the ability to support serious incidents and provide out‑of‑hours leadership where required.

Essential Criteria

• Significant experience leading crime, physical security or corporate security within a complex, multi‑site, retail or customer‑facing organisation.
• Proven experience developing and implementing crime or security strategies, standards and operational plans across a complex organisation.
• Strong experience leading the response to serious security incidents, including threat assessment, crisis management, escalation and recovery.
• Demonstrable experience using crime intelligence, incident data and risk assessment to identify threats, prioritise activity and make evidence‑based recommendations.
• Proven experience managing third‑party security suppliers, including contracts, SLAs, KPIs, performance and value for money.
• Strong experience influencing senior stakeholders and working with external partners such as police, emergency services, industry bodies or specialist security organisations.

We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer so you’ll be welcomed whoever you are and wherever you work. Around here, there’s always the chance to try something new — whether that’s as part of an evolving team or somewhere else across the business - and we take development seriously and promise to support you. We also recognise and celebrate colleagues when they go the extra mile and, where possible, offer flexible working. When you join our team, we’ll also offer you an amazing range of benefits.