SDA Senior Security Risk and Performance Lead

Job summary

The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is a part of the Ministry of Defence responsible for the procurement, in-service support, and disposal of the UK’s nuclear submarines. Our work is of unparalleled strategic importance nationally and internationally, ensuring the security of the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent (CASD), and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence. At least one of four nuclear-armed submarines, supported by smaller attack submarines, is on patrol at all times: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

At the SDA, we strive to Support, Deliver and Aspire and put our values at the heart of our recruitment process. We believe that everyone should feel comfortable to be themselves and be supported to do their best work. As part of a diverse and inclusive workforce, our team will find a community to belong to. We believe that, by celebrating different backgrounds and different perspectives, together we’ll achieve the extraordinary.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

The primary delivery location for this position is Bristol Abbey Wood.

Please note, due to the level of security, this role is reserved for UK nationals only.

Hybrid and flexible working can be considered for this post but will need regular workplace attendance due to security constraints. Candidates are encouraged to discuss options with the recruiting line manager before submitting an application.

Job description

Overview of the Role

The Senior Security Risk and Performance Lead is a key leadership role within the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA), reporting directly to the SDA Security Lead. This role is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the organisation’s security risk management framework, overseeing performance reporting, and leading the security delivery team. The successful candidate will ensure the effective governance and oversight of security risks, enabling the SDA to remain resilient and aligned with its strategic objectives.

In addition to driving security risk management and performance reporting, the role provides leadership to the security delivery team, which manages the transactional elements of security for the Agency. This includes ensuring the seamless delivery of day-to-day security services and maintaining a first-class security cultural programme. The role also involves close collaboration with other elements of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) to ensure alignment and consistency in security practices.

With established processes, policies, and frameworks already in place, the focus of this role is on ensuring their effective implementation, continuous improvement, and alignment with organisational priorities. The Senior Security Risk and Performance Lead will work closely with senior stakeholders, providing expert advice, evidence-based recommendations, and clear reporting to support informed decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Security Risk Management

Maintain the organisation’s security risk management framework, ensuring alignment with Ministry of Defence (MOD), Government, and industry standards.
Oversee the ongoing identification, assessment, and prioritisation of security risks, ensuring mitigation strategies are effectively implemented.
Ensure the centralised risk register is updated regularly, providing a clear and accurate view of risks, mitigation actions, and residual risks.

Governance and Oversight

Lead the operation of the SDA Security Committee, ensuring it functions effectively as a governance body for security risk oversight.
Prepare and present high-quality reports and briefings for the Security Committee and senior stakeholders, providing clear insights into security risks and performance.
Ensure escalated risks are addressed within agreed timelines, with outcomes documented and communicated to relevant stakeholders.

Performance Reporting and KPIs

Maintain and monitor a suite of key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the organisation’s security performance and risk management effectiveness.
Produce regular performance reports and dashboards for senior stakeholders, highlighting trends, areas of concern, and opportunities for improvement.
Use data-driven insights to recommend enhancements to existing security policies, processes, and practices.

Leadership of the Security Delivery Team

Provide leadership and direction to the security delivery team, ensuring the effective delivery of transactional security services across the Agency.
Oversee the maintenance of a first-class security cultural programme, promoting awareness, engagement, and best practices across the organisation.
Ensure the team operates efficiently and effectively, delivering high-quality security services that align with organisational priorities.

Stakeholder Engagement and Advice

Act as the primary point of contact for senior stakeholders on security risk and performance matters, providing expert advice and guidance.
Facilitate workshops and briefings with senior risk owners to address emerging risks and agree on mitigation strategies.
Represent SDA security interests at key meetings and forums with customers, suppliers, and international partners, ensuring alignment with organisational goals.

Collaboration Across the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE)

Work closely with other elements of the DNE to ensure alignment and consistency in security practices and cultural initiatives.
Share best practices and lessons learned to enhance the overall security posture of the DNE.

Policy and Process Maintenance

Maintain and oversee the periodic review of security and business continuity policies, ensuring they remain fit for purpose and aligned with evolving standards.
Ensure that policies and processes are effectively communicated and embedded across the organisation.

Continuous Improvement

Identify opportunities to enhance the organisation’s security risk management, performance reporting, and cultural programme.
Drive a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring the organisation remains resilient and aligned with its strategic objectives.

If you need to contact Defence Business Services (DBS) regarding this vacancy, please indicate that your vacancy is being handled by the SDA Recruitment Team. If you experience any technical difficulties with the CS Jobs system, please contact the Support Team at candidate@support.oleeo.com

Person specification

To excel in the role of Senior Security Risk and Performance Lead, you will need to demonstrate a combination of technical expertise, leadership skills, and the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels. The following attributes, skills, and experience are key to succeed in this role:

Skills and Experience

Security Risk Management Expertise

-Proven experience in managing security risks within a complex organisation, including the ability to identify, assess, and prioritise risks and implement effective mitigation strategies.
-Strong understanding of security frameworks, policies, and standards, particularly within the Defence or public sector context (e.g., MOD, Government, or industry standards).

Leadership and Team Management

-Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a team, ensuring the effective delivery of security services and fostering a culture of collaboration and high performance.
-Experience in managing and developing a team to deliver both transactional and strategic objectives.

Governance and Oversight

-Experience in chairing or managing governance bodies, such as security committees, and ensuring effective oversight of risks and performance.
-Ability to produce high-quality reports and briefings for senior stakeholders, providing clear insights and actionable recommendations.

Performance Reporting and Analytical Skills

-Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex data, identify trends, and provide evidence-based insights to inform decision-making.
-Experience in developing and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure organisational performance and drive continuous improvement.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

-Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with senior stakeholders and influence decision-making.
-Experience in facilitating workshops, briefings, and discussions with diverse stakeholders to address risks and agree on mitigation strategies.

Policy and Process Management

-Experience in maintaining and reviewing security and business continuity policies, ensuring they remain fit for purpose and aligned with organisational priorities.
-Ability to ensure policies and processes are effectively communicated and embedded across an organisation.

Collaboration and Cultural Awareness

-Proven ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, including other elements of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE), to ensure alignment and consistency in security practices.
-A strong commitment to maintaining and promoting a positive security culture across an organisation.

Essential Criteria

To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate the following essential criteria:

• Demonstrable experience in identifying, assessing, and mitigating security risks within a complex organisation, aligned with MOD, Government, or industry standards.
• Experience in managing governance bodies, such as security committees, and providing clear, actionable insights through high-quality reporting.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build relationships, influence senior stakeholders, and facilitate workshops or briefings.
• Experience in maintaining and reviewing security and business continuity policies, ensuring they are fit for purpose and effectively embedded.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Threat Understanding - Expert level
• Risk Understanding and Mitigation - Expert level

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £61,100, Ministry of Defence contributes £17,700 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Discover My Benefits: Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD: https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/

This post does not offer any assistance with Relocation Allowances.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.

At Sift, you will be assessed on your:

• Personal Statement- which should be a maximum of 1000 words that sets out your motivation for applying and shows how your skills and experience meet the essential requirements for the role, including any qualifications.

Behaviours:

• Working together (CSBC4)
• Communicating and Influencing (CSBC4)
• Seeing the big picture (CSBC4)
• Leadership (CSBC4)

Technical:

• Threat Understanding - Expert level
• Risk Understanding and Mitigation - Expert level

At Interview, you will be assessed on;

Personal Statement/ Experience - The panel will ask questions about your personal statement. Exploring your Past Experiences, Key Achievements or Qualifications.

• Working together (CSBC4)
• Communicating and Influencing (CSBC4)
• Seeing the big picture (CSBC4)
• Leadership (CSBC4)

Technical:

• Threat Understanding - Expert level
• Risk Understanding and Mitigation - Expert level

Please refer to the Civil Service Behaviours document and the Technical Skills Framework and Success Profile documents attached.

Interviews will be conducted over Microsoft Teams or on site.

The sift will be completed within 10 working days of the vacancy closing date. Interviews will be held on a date to be confirmed.

Requests to work flexibly will be considered, taking into account business needs.

All employees joining Ministry of Defence who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a 6-month probation period (unless otherwise advised) effective from the employment start date.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Developed Vetting.

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system.

Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected, and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

The post does NOT offer relocation expenses (move of home, excess fares or temporary transfer). Non-Standard move applicants will be eligible for the full package, subject to eligibility.

This vacancy is part of the A Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. Making the Civil Service a Great Place to Work for Veterans - GOV.UK

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact DBSFPCP-SRMResourcingSDA@mod.gov.uk

SDA Reward Offer - Working for SDA - Submarine Delivery Agency - GOV.UK

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

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 developed vetting (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

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.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

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.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 : Richie Bennett
• Email : Richard.Bennett441@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSFPCP-SRMResourcingSDA@mod.gov.uk

Further information

Please see Further Information document.

Attachments

20240927-Senior_Security_Operations_Lead_PI_SDA_Success_Profiles-FINAL-O Opens in new window (pdf, 164kB)Defence Civil Service Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)Security Profession Competency Framework- official (002) Opens in new window (pdf, 187kB)20241009 - Further Information - External (1) Opens in new window (docx, 38kB)