Security Officer – Casual shifts in a gallery

CIS Security offers a role as a Security Response Officer to ensure the safety and security of the artwork, visitors, and building at a well-known London gallery. The officer acts as an ambassador, delivering guarding and customer service that brings people and paintings together, challenging and escalating any suspicious behaviour promptly.

Position: Security Response Officer – Gallery Environment

Location: London (WC2N)

Pay Rate: £14.80 per hour

Hours: Average 16 hours per month – 192 hours per annum

Shifts: Various – must be fully flexible across Monday-Sunday, including early mornings, late evenings, and occasional night shifts.

Job Requirements:

• SIA Door Supervisor Licence required.
• Flexibility to work days, nights, weekends and adjust shifts as operationally needed.
• Experience in security and customer-facing/service roles (culture sector preferable).
• Physically fit to complete internal and external patrols and able to stand/walk during shifts.
• Good levels of customer service and communication, written and verbal at all times.
• Friendly, punctual, professional, reliable, and outgoing character.
• Take pride in appearance, ensuring immaculate presentation.
• Ability to use a computer and display excellent radio protocol.
• Work well both independently and in a team, proactive, think on feet and use initiative.
• No current criminal convictions – DBS will be applied for.
• Can undertake 100% of all specific duties.
• Provide all required documentation and vetting information.

Job Responsibilities & Duties:

• Deliver high-quality security and customer service to visitors and service users.
• Proactively engage with visitors as an ambassador, maintaining knowledge of the permanent collection, temporary exhibitions, and events.
• Respond to all visitor queries with an ‘above and beyond’ approach to ensure a successful visit.
• Promote an inclusive and accessible environment for all.
• Provide ticket-scanning and queue management, ensuring a warm and professional welcome.
• Adapt to managerial instructions to support overall operational delivery.
• Follow and maintain health and safety procedures.
• Record and report faults, hazards, and unsafe practices to supervisors or managers.
• Maintain confidentiality; never discuss operations with the public or non-security staff.
• Direct press queries to the Press Department.
• Provide first-line response to incidents within the gallery’s property line.
• Respond to alarms and incidents per Standard Operating Procedures and escalation processes, including protecting collections and managing threats, protests, lost property, and safeguarding issues.
• Report suspicious behaviour and activity to management.
• Support opening/closing security procedures and smooth evacuations, including Fire Safety measures.
• Report accidents and near-misses to the onsite Duty Manager team; respond to First Aid incidents as required.

Gallery Room Invigilation:

• Challenge and de-escalate unsafe activity; ensure incidents are escalated appropriately.
• Answer visitor queries using knowledge of building layout, permanent collection, and exhibitions.
• Patrol assigned gallery areas, remaining vigilant and performing visual checks of artwork.

Public Entrance/Exits (internal and external positions):

• Set up entrances/exits during opening hours; secure closures for closing.
• Conduct bag searches; manage security arches and wand procedures per site guidance.
• Manage queue and ticket scanning as needed.
• Perform external and internal patrols as required.
• Enforce Visitor Admissions Policy, directing visitors to cloakroom, refusing entry when appropriate, and confiscating prohibited items.
• Provide first-line response to incidents within the gallery’s property line.

Back-of-House Security (static positions):

• Verify access control; log ID checks for staff, contractors, visitors, and guests.
• Issue and log temporary passes.
• Maintain vehicle log and delivery log.
• Conduct and log security patrols or opening/closing checks.
• Use Microsoft Outlook and other IT equipment to keep accurate data logs and checks.
• Answer telephone and email queries promptly and professionally.
• Maintain invigilation of position, including monitoring cameras when required.

Benefits:

• Perk Box (HSF) – discounts & offers from cinema tickets to days out.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Tailored site uniform.
• First-class training to develop your skills.
• Long-service and employee recognition awards.
• And much more!

At CIS Security Ltd, we are an equal-opportunity employer and celebrate diversity. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, quality, and business needs.