Head of Physical & Personnel Security

Job Summary

A key part of DCS’ Security & Resilience team, the incumbent will lead the strategic delivery and governance of physical and personnel security across the organisation. This role is critical to ensure that regional and national statutory, regulatory and compliance requirements are captured in DCS policies, processes and standards and are implemented, monitored and managed throughout their lifecycle by the respective functions and teams.

Job Description

Key responsibilities include:

Identifying statutory, regulatory and compliance physical and personnel security requirements
Ensuring such requirements are captured in strategic policies and design documentation
Monitoring their implementation and the performance of supporting controls
Provide SME input to physical and personnel security programmes, projects and decision points, ensuring an appropriate risk balance.
Overseeing the identification, management and mitigation of physical and personnel security risks
Driving continual improvement

In addition the Head of Physical and Personnel Security will be required to exercise:

Stakeholder engagement
Internal Stakeholders:
Work closely with Senior Leadership to align security strategy with business objectives.
Collaborate with appropriate functions and teams to ensure security is integrated from concept to delivery.
Partner with Technology teams to ensure convergence of physical, personnel and digital security.
Support HR to ensure appropriate inclusion of physical and personnel security in policies & processes.
Liaise with Legal & Compliance to ensure adherence to regulatory and contractual obligations.
External Stakeholders:
Act as the primary physical security liaison for customers, investors, and critical infrastructure sectors.
Engage as required with security consultants, integrators, and contractors involved in project delivery.
Coordinate with law enforcement and intelligence agencies as required for threat intelligence and incident coordination.
Interface with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with UK and international security standards (e.g. CSRB, NPSA, NCSC, NIST).
Work with third-party auditors and certification bodies during inspections and assessments.

Compliance & Governance:

Ensure adherence to UK and international security regulations and standards.
Specialist oversight of construction and lifecycle projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
Identification of Key Performance Indicators and reporting to demonstrate effective implementation of security requirements.
Team Leadership
Manage and build as necessary a high-performing security team.
Foster a culture of accountability, agility, innovation, and resilience.

The skills and experience you would bring

At least 10 years’ experience in leading the identification and implementation of physical and personnel security requirements in organisations focused on the extensive use of service providers. Experience of working in construction focused environments would be beneficial.
Detailed understanding of security design principles, protective technologies and risk management strategies.
Experience working in defence, government or critical infrastructure environments.
Knowledge and understanding UK and European security standards and regulatory & compliance frameworks.
Excellent leadership, communications and stakeholder management skills
Willingness and ability to travel internationally as required
Competence with Microsoft office tools (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint) to prepare and deliver high quality presentation material for internal and external client facing use.