Head of Intelligence – Research, Analysis & Engagement

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to undertake a pivotal senior leadership position within the Security Industry Authority’s evolving shared Intelligence & Reporting service.

We have an important role, contributing to public protection by the effective regulation of certain private security activities across the UK, licensing over 450,000 security personnel and raising standards of private security. You will join us at a time of exciting change and increased public interest in us and our work as we take on a high profile, additional regulatory remit by becoming the new Martyn’s Law regulator. As part of this expansion, we need to ensure our intelligence and reporting areas going forward cover both our existing private security work and get ready to expand and set up for Martyn’s Law.

As Head of Intelligence (Research, Analysis and Engagement) you will be responsible for the strategic leadership and development of SIA intelligence analysis and research teams, alongside a small team of specialist roles responsible for leading partnership engagement work concerning organised crime and counter terrorism. Part of your role will involve the design and mobilisation of a new team responsible for intelligence analysis associated with Martyn’s law regulation. This is therefore an exciting career opportunity to be at the forefront of developing a service to support the enactment of new legislation.

The role provides authoritative oversight of the SIA’s understanding of current and emerging regulatory threats, ensuring intelligence insight informs operational delivery, business planning, strategy and decision‑making at executive and Authority level.

You will hold a key senior leadership position within the Intelligence and reporting unit, supporting the continuous improvement of departmental processes and outputs. Our culture and values are important to us – you will be instrumental in helping drive inclusion, excellent and organisational continuous improvement.

If you have the necessary skills, expertise, and experience, share our passion for making a real difference to public safety and standards in protective security across the UK and will embrace our values and culture, we look forward to receiving your application and welcoming you to our team.

Job description

The Head of Intelligence (Research, Analysis & Engagement) is responsible for the strategic leadership and management of a multi‑functional intelligence capability that underpins the SIA’s regulatory effectiveness. The role provides authoritative oversight of the SIA’s understanding of current and emerging regulatory threats, ensuring intelligence insight informs operational delivery, business planning, and decision‑making at executive and Authority level.

The postholder leads the delivery of tactical and strategic intelligence products, including nationally recognised threat assessments and the development of organisational risk assessment frameworks. This includes accountability for effective tasking, and prioritisation processes, enabling the intelligence‑led and proportionate deployment of SIA resources to address real and emerging risks and support public protection.

The Head of Intelligence (Research, Analysis & Engagement) also jointly leads the SIA’s intelligence‑focused engagement with law enforcement, regulators, compliance bodies, and strategic partners. Through strong senior‑level relationships and effective engagement, the role ensures the SIA is a valued and credible contributor within the regulatory intelligence community, strengthening collaboration and supporting the continuous improvement of standards across the private security industry.

Person specification

Relevant qualifications, knowledge and experience

Essential

• Extensive experience of developing, leading, or managing intelligence analysts, researchers or intelligence officers within a regulatory, law enforcement, or public sector environment.
• Significant experience of operating at a senior organisational level, with a demonstrated ability to build, maintain, and sustain effective, diverse, and positive working relationships across internal teams and external partners.
• Substantial experience of working in intelligence‑led environments, including the practical application of the National Intelligence Model (NIM) and other current or emerging intelligence frameworks.
• Highly developed stakeholder management and influencing skills, with experience of negotiating, influencing, and advising senior strategic and operational stakeholders across partner organisations.
• Strong leadership and people management capability, including experience of performance management, leading and motivating multidisciplinary teams, and delivering results through intelligence and/or risk functions while gaining the confidence and respect of colleagues at all levels.
• Demonstrable strategic thinking and decision‑making ability, with experience of applying risk management principles to prioritise work, allocate resources, and inform operational and regulatory outcomes.
• Strong analytical and intelligence capability, including experience of developing and producing high‑quality intelligence products that support tasking, operational compliance activity, and targeted interventions.
• Experience of managing or working within intelligence teams that utilise sensitive information systems, including the Police National Database (PND) at Restricted and Confidential levels, and practical working knowledge of i2 intelligence software such as iBase, Analyst’s Notebook, Data Mapping, or Data Miner.
• Well‑developed planning and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage competing demands effectively and ensure delivery against performance targets and deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex and sensitive information clearly through a range of media and build rapport with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Sound knowledge and practical experience of applying information governance and relevant legislation, including the Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act, Human Rights Act, and Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA), ensuring information is handled, shared, and stored lawfully and proportionately.
• Strong IT skills, including effective use of Microsoft Office applications.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £67,001, Security Industry Authority contributes £19,410 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 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 27.5 days, rising by one additional day for every two years of service up to a maximum of 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%.

Office attendance

Hybrid working may be available for this role.

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

Please note: SIA does not utilise success profiles at interview stage.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and 500-word personal statement. Further details around guidance for this is listed on the application form. If you fail to submit all aspects of the application before the deadline of 23:55 on Monday 9th of March 2026, your application will be withdrawn.

Please use your personal statement (in no more than 500 words) to outline why you believe you would be an ideal candidate for this role. Please highlight your relevant skills, experience and achievements that align with the essential job requirements.

To help us assess your suitability for the role, please complete the CV incorporated into the application form by providing as much information as possible about your previous work experience and achievements.

Should we receive a large number of applications, they will be sifted on personal statement only.

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Interview details will be provided to successful candidates prior to their interview taking place.

Sift and Interview Process:

Sift will take place from the 10th of March 2026

Interviews will be held from week commencing the 23rd of March

First stage interviews will be held in person at our London office. Your interview will begin with a presentation followed by a competency-based interview.

Further Information

A reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for a maximum of 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Visa sponsorship

We do not sponsor individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas.

If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring documentation for the purposes of establishing your identity.

You will need to meet the nationality requirements for this role and obtain the necessary security clearance to take it up.

For meaningful security checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time.

Reasonable Adjustments

If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact Government Recruitment Service via sia.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
• Complete the “Assistance Required” section in the “Additional Requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a language service professional

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.

Criminal Record Check

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct.

If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Feedback

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 : SIA.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Complaints should be submitted to recruitment@sia.gov.uk . If, after investigation by the SIA, the complainant remains dissatisfied, they may bring their complaint to the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

Intelligence - Head of Intelligence -Research Analysis Engagement Opens in new window (pdf, 207kB)2025-11-17 Pre-employment Checking - Document Requirements (V17) Opens in new window (pdf, 231kB)