Head of Physical Security Advisory

Job summary

As Head of Physical Security Advisory, you’ll lead Parliament’s physical security advisory team, ensuring the delivery of expert, risk-based security advice that helps keep Parliament safe and operational. You’ll oversee security risk assessments, develop security standards and guidance, and act as the senior adviser on major estate programmes and projects, including high-profile transformation initiatives.

Job description

You’ll work closely with senior stakeholders across Parliament, government departments, security partners and project teams to identify risks, design effective security solutions and support informed decision-making. Leading a team of security professionals, you’ll build capability, drive continuous improvement and ensure Parliament’s approach to physical security remains responsive to emerging threats, technologies and best practice.

As a member of the Parliamentary Security Department’s Senior Leadership Team, you’ll also contribute to the wider strategic direction of security services across Parliament.

This role is offered on a hybrid working basis, with an expectation of you spending 60% of your time in the office.

Find out more about working at the House of Commons.

Person specification

Professional Qualifications

• Principal or Ordinary member of the Register of Security Engineers and Specialists (RSES), Chartered Security Professional (CSyP), or equivalent demonstrable expertise.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development, supported by an up-to-date CPD record.

Security Expertise - Significant experience providing protective security advice within complex estate environments, ideally within the public sector.

Leadership & People Management - Proven ability to lead high-performing teams, drive change, and create an inclusive environment that supports development and success.

Analysis & Decision-Making - Strong critical thinking skills with the ability to assess complex information, challenge assumptions, and make sound strategic and operational decisions.

Stakeholder Engagement - Ability to build credibility quickly, develop effective relationships, and influence, persuade and challenge stakeholders at all levels.

Communication - Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical issues clearly to a range of audiences.

Organisation & Prioritisation - Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, delegate effectively, and make timely decisions.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £73,804, House of Commons contributes £21,381 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including but not limited to:

• Generous annual leave starting at 30 days and increasing to 35 after one full working year.
• Enrolment in the excellent Civil Service pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• Flexible working options that help you find a balance including enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption leave, caring leave and alternative working patterns.

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 make sure you’re clear on the requirements of the role; these can be found in the Job Description

To apply, you must submit the following:

• An anonymised CV that demonstrates your qualifications and relevant experience. Your CV should include an up-to-date and relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD) record, including details of relevant courses and training attended.
• An anonymised supporting statement (maximum of 2 A4 pages) outlining how your experience meets Criteria 2 to 7.

Please combine your CV, CPD record and supporting statement into a single document and upload it as part of your application..

Our application process is anonymous, please do not include any personal information on your CV that could identify you. This includes the filename.

More information on the application process can be found here: Application process - UK Parliament

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

Security

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

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.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

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).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 : Recruitment Team
• Email : Recruitment@parliament.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : Recruitment@parliament.uk