Head of Security, Logistics & Operational Resilience in London

Salary for this Role: Circa £85,000 with benefits, subject to skills and experience.

Reports to: Nick Carter

Closing Date: 16/Sept/ GMT

Details of the role:

• This is a full time permanent position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

About us

The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions. The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We’ve removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high-quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy.

About the role

Based within a purpose built facility in the heart of St Pancras and home to more than 2,000 people across over 100 research groups, the Crick occupies a unique position as both a centre of scientific excellence and a publicly accessible institution. Alongside its pioneering research, the Institute hosts public engagement, exhibition and events spaces, creating a diverse and complex operational environment that requires the highest standards of security, resilience and compliance.

We are seeking an exceptional security leader with extensive experience gained within a complex, high-profile and highly regulated environment, such as a research institute, national infrastructure, government, healthcare, defence or similarly sensitive organisation. You will bring a proven track record of leading 24/7 operations, developing security strategies, managing sophisticated security systems and processes, and delivering best-practice standards in line with national security requirements and relevant British Standards.

As Head of Security, Logistics and Operational Resilience (SLOR), you will provide strategic leadership across these critical functions, ensuring the Institute remains secure, compliant and operationally effective. Working closely with senior leaders and specialist teams, you will drive continuous improvement, manage risk, optimise service delivery and maintain a robust operational framework that supports the Crick’s mission as a world class centre of scientific discovery.

What you will be doing

• Review the security strategy, optimise and maintain security policies and procedures.
• Manage the outsourced security service contract partner, oversee the external cross dock facility and the Logistics team.
• Lead security staff at the Crick – Staff have 24 hour-a-day / 7 days a week presence on site.
• Organise and oversee Security, Reception, and Logistics day-to-day operations and liaise with other Crick service functions to provide a cohesive service.
• Manage security, logistics and operational resilience staff and budget (either in-house or contracted) to ensure effective deployment and performance of resources.
• Identify potential efficiencies in the security and logistics service provision, whilst ensuring that legislative and safety related industry best practices are adhered to.
• Undertake regular security risk assessments and operational analysis and develop appropriate procedures and arrangements to mitigate any identified risks.
• Assess security intelligence reports and provide appropriate information and advice to support the Crick Leadership team and provide strategic overview of issues within the building.
• Provide operational leadership for incident management and business continuity planning site-wide and specifically for Facilities and Infrastructure functions.
• Provide strategic oversight and management of the logistics management function and associated service partner.

About you

• Extensive knowledge and experience of managing a 24 x 7 security service, preferably both as an in-house service and with an outsourced provider in a high profile nationally recognized critical research facility, as well as operational knowledge of logistics processes and procedures.
• Experience of working at a senior operational management level developing a security strategy and delivering a security service within a high-profile complex research environment.
• Proven leadership experience of leading, motivating and delivering through high performing in house and outsourced security teams.
• Experience of developing security and logistics contract specifications, budget and contract management.
• Excellent interpersonal, organisational, and communication skills with an ability to manage multiple stakeholder relationships at all levels, both internal and external.
• Working knowledge of modern security systems, including CCTV, access control and building management systems, and procedures to promote effective security operations for the protection of assets, people and data, including out of hours monitoring and alarm response.
• Good working knowledge of fire safety management procedures including fire alarm systems, monitoring, fire extinguishers and fire safety equipment.
• Proven experience in the security aspects of event planning, including planning and delivering VIP visits.
• Excellent knowledge of British standard 9001 and 22301 as well as secured environment certification.
• Good level of education and ideally possess a relevant security qualification and membership of relevant professional institute or association e.g. ASIS, The Security Institute.

Minimum criteria

About Working at the Crick

Our values: Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick’s mission and shaping our culture. We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently. We are open. We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world. We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community.

At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences. We are a Disability Confident: Committed employer and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we’ll make reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply. If you need assistance with applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post) please email.

What will you receive?

At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well-being and development:

• Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays.
• Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%.
• Health & Well-being: 24/7 GP consultation services. Occupational health services and mental health support programs. Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans.
• Work-Life Balance: Back-up care for dependents. Childcare support allowance. Annual leave purchase options. Crick Networks offering diverse groups’ support, community and inclusive social events.
• Perks: Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, and shopping discounts. Subsidised on-site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.

Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed. We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.