At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a cutting-edge security and policing strategy for a busy rail network.
- Company: Join Southeastern, one of Britain's busiest train operators with a commitment to safety.
- Benefits: Enjoy a final salary pension, 25 days annual leave, and free rail travel.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safety and security while shaping the future of rail travel.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in security leadership and operational integration.
- Other info: Hybrid working model and a supportive, inclusive workplace culture.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Are you ready to shape the future of security and policing across one of the UKs busiest rail networks? We are seeking a Head of Policing and Security Strategy to join our Safety, Planning and Performance leadership team, based at our Head Office in London Bridge (hybrid working 3 days on site). At Southeastern, the safety of our colleagues and customers comes first. This role plays a critical part in ensuring our railway is a place where people feel safe, supported and confident to travel - today and into the future.
In this role, your purpose is clear: to create and deliver an integrated, intelligence-led security and policing strategy that protects our people, our customers and our railway. You will shape how Southeastern prevents, deters and responds to crime, antisocial behaviour, safeguarding risks and security threats - ensuring we have the right operating model, capability and partnerships in place to keep our network safe.
Working closely with the British Transport Police and wider policing and security partners, you will lead the development of modern, collaborative approaches to security and policing that strengthen frontline response, support our colleagues, and build confidence across our communities. This is a strategic leadership role with real influence - setting direction, aligning teams behind a shared purpose, and ensuring security, safeguarding and policing are fully integrated into how we operate our railway.
The experience you’ll need:
- Security leadership - you design and lead operating models that protect people and assets
- Safe colleagues and customers - you put systems, assurance and partnerships in place to keep everyone safe
- Operational integration - you align security, safeguarding, frontline operations and policing into a single, joined-up approach
- Risk and threat management - you ensure robust arrangements to identify, assess and mitigate crime and security risks
- Partnership excellence - you build trusted, proactive relationships with BTP, the Home Office, local policing and industry partners
- Visible leadership - you unite teams around a shared commitment to safety, every time
As proud members of the Armed Forces Covenant and Disability Confident Scheme, we will offer you an interview if you apply under these schemes and meet the minimum criteria for the role.
Other things to know:
- This vacancy may close early if we receive a large number of applications. So, make sure you get yours in early.
- All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references, a right to work verification, a basic criminal record check, and a pre-employment medical assessment. Work visa sponsorship isn’t available for this role.
- If you applied but weren’t successful in getting a similar role at Southeastern, please wait six months before applying again.
What you’ll get in return:
- A final salary pension
- 25 days annual leave allowance (plus bank holidays)
- Free rail travel across our networks.
Meaning you can feel secure in your career as well as fulfilled by your work.
A bit about Southeastern: We’re one of Britain’s busiest train operators, serving London, Kent and parts of East Sussex. We run over 1,700 trains a day, carrying more than 500,000 passengers and serving 180 stations. However, working on our railway is more than getting passengers from A to B. It’s about all the little moments that make a difference to their journey. It’s also about making our railway a great place to work. With a team that represents the communities we serve. This is a journey we’re fully committed to and we’re proud to have been named a Great Place to Work at the 2023 National Rail Awards and endorsed as a WORK180 Employer for Women.
At the heart of everything we do, our Safeguarding Team works to keep our customers, colleagues, and the public safe by improving safeguarding measures and knowledge making sure everyone gets home safe, every day.
Head of Policing and Security Strategy employer: SE Trains Ltd
Contact Detail:
SE Trains Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Policing and Security Strategy
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Southeastern and understanding their values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission of safety and community support.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your vision for security and policing strategy clearly and confidently. This is your chance to showcase your leadership skills and innovative ideas.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Southeastern.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Policing and Security Strategy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Security Leadership Skills: Make sure to highlight your experience in designing and leading security strategies. We want to see how you've protected people and assets in previous roles, so share specific examples that demonstrate your leadership in this area.
Emphasise Operational Integration: We’re looking for someone who can align security, safeguarding, and frontline operations seamlessly. In your application, explain how you’ve successfully integrated these elements in past roles to create a cohesive approach to safety.
Build on Partnership Excellence: Partnerships are key in this role! Share your experiences of building trusted relationships with organisations like the British Transport Police or local policing bodies. We want to know how you’ve collaborated to enhance safety and security.
Get Your Application in Early: Don’t wait until the last minute! Our vacancy might close early if we get a lot of applications, so make sure you submit yours as soon as possible through our website. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at SE Trains Ltd
✨Know Your Security Strategies
Familiarise yourself with current security trends and strategies, especially those relevant to the rail industry. Be prepared to discuss how you would implement an intelligence-led approach to security and policing at Southeastern.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires visible leadership. Think of examples where you've successfully united teams around a shared purpose. Be ready to share how you can inspire and align your team to prioritise safety and security.
✨Build on Partnerships
Understand the importance of collaboration with partners like the British Transport Police. Prepare to discuss how you’ve built trusted relationships in the past and how you plan to enhance partnerships to improve safety across the network.
✨Demonstrate Risk Management Expertise
Be ready to talk about your experience in identifying and mitigating risks. Share specific examples of how you've developed robust arrangements to manage crime and security threats, ensuring the safety of both colleagues and customers.