Security Manager in Wilmslow

Waters Corporation is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Security Manager – Europe to lead the execution and continuous improvement of physical security programs across the region. This role serves as a key operational leader, translating global security strategy into effective site-level execution across multiple countries while building strong partnerships with business leaders and supporting the Global Security Program. The ideal candidate is a proactive security professional with a strong background in physical security operations, investigations, and program development within a multi-country environment. This individual will play a critical role in strengthening the organization’s security posture, enhancing site engagement, and driving a culture of safety and preparedness across Europe.

Responsibilities

• Regional Security Leadership & Strategic Oversight
  • Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for all physical security and contract guarding operations across the United Kingdom and supporting EMEA initiatives as required.
  • Lead and manage a regional security program supporting multiple sites, critical infrastructure, corporate offices, laboratories, manufacturing operations, and business functions within a complex multinational environment.
  • Oversee contract security operations, ensuring delivery against agreed service levels, key performance indicators (KPIs), compliance standards, and operational expectations.
  • Serve as the primary regional security leader and escalation point for critical incidents, operational disruptions, investigations, and crisis-related matters.
  • Partner with Global Security leadership to execute regional security strategies, drive operational consistency, and support enterprise risk management objectives.
  • Influence and advise senior business leaders on security risks, operational resilience, workplace safety, and protective security measures.
• Security Operations, Crisis Management & Resilience
  • Direct day-to-day regional security operations, including incident management, emergency response coordination, investigations, escalation management, and executive reporting.
  • Lead crisis management and business continuity initiatives, including emergency preparedness planning, response coordination, after-action reviews, and corrective action implementation.
  • Develop, implement, and continuously improve security policies, procedures, standards, and operational frameworks aligned with corporate governance and industry best practices.
  • Oversee physical security systems and infrastructure, including CCTV, access control systems, intrusion detection, alarm monitoring, visitor management, and perimeter protection programs.
  • Ensure regional operational readiness through security audits, tabletop exercises, drills, site assessments, and resilience testing activities.
• Risk Management & Site Security Engagement
  • Conduct and oversee enterprise security risk assessments, threat evaluations, and vulnerability reviews across UK operations.
  • Identify emerging risks and develop strategic mitigation plans that support operational continuity while balancing business needs and employee experience.
  • Partner with site leadership, Facilities, HR, IT, Legal, and Health & Safety teams to strengthen site security posture and regulatory compliance.
  • Support site expansions, relocations, new facility launches, and capital security improvement projects from planning through execution.
  • Provide subject matter expertise on workplace violence prevention, travel risk management, executive support, and protective security design.
• Investigations, Governance & Executive Support
  • Lead or support sensitive internal investigations involving workplace misconduct, theft, policy violations, security incidents, and other high-risk matters while maintaining confidentiality and appropriate escalation protocols.
  • Prepare executive-level reports, security briefings, incident summaries, and risk assessments for senior leadership and key stakeholders.
  • Support executive protection coordination, leadership travel security planning, and high-profile corporate events as required.
  • Ensure compliance with corporate security standards, UK regulatory requirements, GDPR considerations, and applicable industry best practices.
  • Maintain strong working relationships with local law enforcement, emergency services, regulatory bodies, and external security partners.
• Vendor, Financial & Program Management
  • Provide governance and oversight of regional contract security providers, ensuring consistent service delivery, staffing effectiveness, operational compliance, and performance accountability.
  • Lead vendor management activities including contract oversight, onboarding, audits, KPI reviews, staffing strategies, and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Support management of regional security budgets, forecasting, and cost optimisation initiatives while maintaining operational effectiveness.
  • Drive standardisation and scalability across regional security processes, technologies, reporting frameworks, and operational procedures.
  • Support procurement activities, security technology evaluations, and strategic security program enhancements.
• Leadership, Collaboration & Organizational Influence
  • Lead, mentor, and develop regional security personnel and vendor leadership teams through coaching, accountability, and performance management.
  • Foster a culture of professionalism, operational excellence, collaboration, and proactive risk management across the regional security function.
  • Deliver regional training initiatives, awareness campaigns, and emergency preparedness exercises to strengthen organizational resilience and security culture.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Facilities, HR, Legal, IT, HSE, Compliance, and business leadership teams to support enterprise objectives and operational priorities.
  • Build strong stakeholder relationships and serve as a trusted advisor on security, resilience, and operational risk matters.

Qualifications

• Solid, progressive experience in corporate security, physical security operations, law enforcement, military, intelligence, or enterprise risk management.
• Demonstrated experience leading regional or multi-site security operations within a multinational or matrixed corporate environment.
• Proven success managing contract guarding providers, vendor governance programs, and performance-based service delivery models.
• Experience overseeing crisis management, investigations, business continuity, emergency preparedness, and enterprise security programs.
• Strong working knowledge of physical security systems, integrated security technologies, and operational risk management principles.
• Experience presenting to senior leadership and managing high-visibility or sensitive organisational matters.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred in Security Management, Criminal Justice, Business Management, or related field; equivalent professional experience considered.
• Professional security certifications (ASIS CPP, PSP, or equivalent) preferred.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.