Security Operations Specialist

What you will do

The Data Centre Security Operations Specialist is a specialist role within the Operations Compliance Team, acting as the physical security subject matter expert (SME) in support of operational compliance activities across the data centre estate.

The role provides security expertise, assurance, and practical guidance to support the work of a team of operations Compliance and Quality Assurance Managers. It also provides specialist advice and guidance to Data Centre Managers and site teams on the application and day‑to‑day use of physical and electronic security controls, including manned guarding and security systems.

This role focuses on how security controls are applied, operated, and complied with in practice, rather than on the technical design, specification, or engineering of security systems. The post holder supports sites in understanding what they need to do to meet security requirements and how to do so consistently and compliantly.

What we're looking for

Key Accountabilities

• Serve as the physical and operational security subject matter expert for the Operations Compliance Team, offering expertise for compliance reviews and assurance activities.
• Advise on the practical application of physical and electronic security requirements in operational environments.
• Provide specialist guidance to Data Centre Managers and site teams on the use and management of security systems and manned guarding.
• Support consistent access management, monitoring, incident response, and escalation processes across sites.
• Assist with site-level compliance activities, including audit preparation, evidence gathering, and tracking remedial actions.
• Ensure consistent application of corporate security policies and standards at all data centre sites.
• Support and review security incidents and contribute to root cause analysis and documentation.
• Promote security awareness and procedural training for site teams and security officers.
• Collaborate with Data Centre Managers, operations teams, guarding providers, and Security Governance colleagues.
• Provide security-specific input and metrics for compliance and assurance reporting.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• 3–5 years’ experience in physical security operations within data centres, critical infrastructure, or similarly controlled environments.
• Strong understanding of manned guarding operations and their integration with electronic security systems.
• Practical working knowledge of electronic security systems from an operational perspective , including access control, CCTV, alarms, and monitoring processes (use and application rather than design).
• Experience supporting audits, assurance activities, or regulatory compliance work.
• Ability to provide clear, practical security advice to operational managers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable

• Experience working within or alongside a compliance, risk, or assurance function.
• Exposure to multi‑site or regional operations.
• Familiarity with ISO‑aligned security or compliance frameworks at an operational level.

Personal Attributes

• Detail focused and methodical, with a compliance-oriented mindset.
• Confident acting as a specialist advisor without direct authority.
• Collaborative and comfortable working as part of a broader compliance team.
• Pragmatic and solutions focused when addressing operational security issues.

Certification (Desirable)

• Relevant physical security, electronic security operations, or compliance focused qualifications.

Travel

• Willingness to travel occasionally to regional data centre sites as required.