Operational Security Advisor in Sheffield

Application Deadline: 16 August 2026

Department: Governance & Legal

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Sheffield Head Office

Reporting To: Stephen Breden

Compensation: £39,153 - £41,772 / year

Hours: 37 hours per week (full time)

Contract: Permanent

Salary: Grade 8 - £39,153 - £41,772

This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office.

We are looking for a proactive and knowledgeable Operational Security Advisor to join our Emergency Preparedness and Corporate Security team. This role is key to strengthening SYMCA’s organisational security, helping to protect our people, services, and the communities of South Yorkshire. You will support the delivery of a corporate security framework that ensures we are prepared for, and resilient to, a wide range of evolving risks. NPPV3 vetting will be required for this role.

About the role

• You will play an important role in embedding a strong security culture across the organisation, working collaboratively with teams and partners to ensure effective prevention, preparedness, and response to security risks.
• Support the implementation of SYMCA’s corporate security framework across services.
• Develop and deliver risk assessments and security plans to address identified threats.
• Contribute to organisational readiness through training, testing, and exercises.
• Provide expert advice on security matters to colleagues and senior stakeholders.
• Support and, where required, lead on incident reviews to identify learning and improvements.
• Work closely with partners across South Yorkshire and beyond to share best practice and strengthen response capability.
• Contribute to security-related projects and wider organisational initiatives.

This is a varied and collaborative role, offering the opportunity to influence how security is embedded across a complex organisation.

About you

• You will be an organised and confident professional with experience in security, resilience, or a related field.
• You will bring experience of supporting or delivering security, resilience, or risk management activity.
• Knowledge of security frameworks, legislation, and best practice.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence a range of stakeholders.
• The ability to assess risks and develop practical, proportionate solutions.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to build effective relationships internally and externally.
• Confidence working in a fast-paced and sometimes complex environment.

You’ll be motivated by protecting people and services, and committed to continuous improvement and building organisational resilience.

Benefits

• All colleagues have access to a Local Government Pension Scheme and the chance to be part of an organisation where you can really make a difference.
• Located in Sheffield City Centre, we are well-placed for transport links and encourage employees to take advantage of the active travel facilities.
• Work/life balance is extremely important to us here at SYMCA with our recognised family-friendly policies, genuine work flexibility, recognition, and shared success.
• Holiday Entitlement – From 28 to 36 days annual leave entitlement (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays. Pro-rata for part-time colleagues.
• Annual Leave Purchase Scheme – The ability to purchase up to a further 15 days per year in addition to your normal annual leave.
• Hybrid working – Our offices are a space where we come together and collaborate. Most of our roles are offered on a hybrid basis with the exception of some support roles being onsite full time. Please note, unless specified within the job advert, we cannot accommodate remote working contracts.
• Flexible Hours Scheme – Most roles within SYMCA work under the Flexi-Scheme which allows office-based employees flexibility and discretion over their working hours. Under the scheme employees can accrue a defined amount of credit or debit of working hours, and to take time-off in the form of Flexi-Leave or banked Annual Leave.
• Rewarding You – Reducing everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more with Reward Gateway and Cycle-to-Work schemes.
• Training on the job – Support with upskilling skills through on-the-job training and qualifications.
• Professional Membership Fees – Where membership to Professional bodies is applicable to your role, SYMCA will reimburse your membership fees where applicable and following approval by Line Management.

Diversity at South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority

Our workforce is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.

All employees are eligible to request Flexible Working arrangements from day one of employment as such all requests will be considered subject to operation requirements.

Where candidates share disabilities within the application process, if they demonstrate that they meet all essential criteria from the Role Profile within their application, they will automatically be invited to interview.