Deputy Director of Strategy, Policy and Risk

Job summary

This Deputy Director, Strategy, Policy and Risk (SPR) is responsible for the delivery of a range of essential corporate functions to ensure the smooth delivery of the SIA’s statutory functions under both the Private Security industry Act and Martyn’s Law (Terrorism Protection of Premises Act). This role sits at the heart of the organisation and will have a unique insight into delivery across the SIA.

The Deputy Director SPR plays a key role in ensuring the SIA meets its obligations as an arms-length body and makes a positive difference to public protection, and the effectiveness of preparedness and protective security across the UK.

The Deputy Director SPR is accountable for ensuring we meet our risk, assurance, information security, data protection and provision of information obligations. The role will provide strategic oversight of the delivery of policy in support of our operational priorities; and is responsible for oversight of delivery against our strategic priorities and business plan.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer as a Deputy Director you will be a senior leader at the SIA.

Job description

Corporate

Work with the Chief Operation Officer and other Deputy Directors, to lead the SIA in delivery of its statutory responsibilities, Strategic Plan and transformation ambitions, resulting in improved public protection and public trust and confidence in the SIA, and its regulatory work.

As a senior leader, day to day management of the SPR function, including strategy, planning and effective deployment of resources.

Deputy Directors also take on wider organisational responsibilities and champion roles.

Policy:

Provide strategic oversight and direction to the delivery of high-quality policy advice in support of improved operational delivery. Ensure consideration given to relevant legislation and regulation, including the statutory obligations of regulators, and any specific case issues.

Be accountable for the SIA’s response to public correspondence including FoIs; complaints; MP cases; and Subject Access Requests – reflecting a customer centric approach.

Strategy and Business Planning:

Provide strategic guidance and leadership to the development and delivery of the 3-year Strategic Plan and the annual business plan. Working closely with Deputy Directors and functional leads, finance and data colleagues to ensure budget, deliverables and KPIs are consistent and understood by the business.

Ensure that both the strategic plan and business plan reflect the context in which the SIA operates.

Person specification

-Senior leader: Senior level experience at or near Deputy Director (G6) level in comparable organisations (government, private or public sectors) with considerable experience working with Senior Officials and/or Ministers (or individuals of equivalent experience/status).

-Strategic thinker: with the ability to develop and advise on organisational strategy and develop and implement strategic regulatory guidance plans that shape and influence compliance

-Inspirational and visible people leader: with strong people leadership skills and experience, with the ability to influence and form strong working relationships and gain the respect and confidence of seniors, peers and colleagues at all levels, in a multidisciplinary professional environment

-Role model of inclusive cultures, and instilling organisational values and behaviours that promote positive individual and team cultures working in collaboration

-Excellent communications skills and credible ambassador with excellent presentation and negotiation skills, and the ability to communicate complex issues clearly, verbally and in writing; able to build and influence relationships at senior levels with a range of stakeholders and partners and act with credibility at senior levels internally and externally

-Experience of building, managing and influencing complex operational relationships with government and the public.

-Proven record of building and developing high performing professional teams who deliver excellent results and outcomes, showing accountability when things do not go well or as planned and commitment to continuous improvement.

-Excellent interpersonal skills - a team player with integrity; politically astute with good self-awareness, able to work under own initiative with drive and at pace, resilient under pressure, and responds calmly and objectively to internal and external challenge and scrutiny.

Benefits

• A welcoming and innovative work environment.
• Continued support and development opportunities.
• Access to training for attainment of recognised qualifications.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Annual leave entitlement will be 32.5 days.
• A variety of discounts including Gymflex,
• Civil Service Pension Scheme – Employee contribution between 4.60% and 7.35% and Employer contribution between 26.60% and 30.30%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Applicationrocess
This appointment will be made based on the quality of your written application and interviews.

The process will also include an engagement exercise and psychometric tests which will help inform the questioning in the final interview.
The final interview will include a presentation to the panel.

To apply for this post please visit: https://www.gatenbysanderson.com/job/GSe129124

For a confidential discussion about the role, please do contact the recruitment advisers at russell.brandon@gatenbysanderson.com who will be delighted to speak with you.

Register your details and submit the following no later than Wednesday 18 March 2026

When applying, please ensure that you provide the following information:

–Your CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements.

–A supporting personal statement (not more than 2 pages) detailing how you meet the criteria in the person specification and why you are applying for this role.

–A completed diversity monitoring form, this will appear on screen as part of the application process.

–Should you have any queries about the application process, please contact Toria Lorman-Connolly on Toria.Lorman-Connolly@gatenbysanderson.com

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : SIA Recruitment Team
• Email : Recruitment@sia.gov.uk
• Telephone : sia.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@sia.gov.uk

Further information

Complaints should be submitted to the Contact Us page on SIA website. If, after investigation by the SIA, the complainant remains dissatisfied, they may bring their complaint to the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

Deputy Director Strategy Policy and Risk Job Description Opens in new window (pdf, 189kB)SIA Candidate Pack Deputy Director Strategy Policy and Risk (003) Opens in new window (pdf, 957kB)