Senior Inspector-Martyn’s Law

Job summary

The SIA is an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Home Office. We were set up in 2004 to regulate certain activities in the private security industry and employ nearly 400 members of staff. We are operationally independent of government.

We are now preparing to take on new responsibilities as the regulator of Martyn’s Law - named after Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people who tragically died on 22 May 2017 in the terrorist attack on Manchester Arena. Martyn’s Law, introduced by the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, is intended to improve protective security and preparedness at premises and events across the UK.

The new Act will require premises in scope to be prepared to keep people safe in the event of an attack. Certain larger premises and events will also need to take steps to reduce their vulnerability to acts of terrorism.

Martyn’s Law is primarily a civil, regulatory regime. We will regulate supportively and proportionately but robustly. The SIA will have new guidance, investigatory and inspection functions and a range of new powers and sanctions. Our new Martyn’s Law functions will sit alongside and complement our existing responsibility for regulating the private security industry.

Job description

Ready to take your regulatory or protective security experience to the next level?

This is more than an inspection role, it’s your chance to play a critical part in safeguarding people, places, and events across the UK under Martyn’s Law.

As a Senior Inspector, you’ll be at the forefront of national security and public protection. You’ll lead complex investigations, assess real-world preparedness at premises and events, and ensure organisations meet vital legal requirements designed to counter evolving threats. Your decisions will shape compliance, influence standards, and make a tangible difference.

This is a role for professionals who thrive on responsibility and impact. You’ll guide and mentor fellow Inspectors, drive high-quality enforcement activity, and collaborate with partners across the sector all while applying your judgment to complex, high-stakes situations.

Expect variety, autonomy, and purpose. From on-site inspections to strategic case development, from coaching colleagues to contributing to national policy you’ll be trusted to lead, challenge, and deliver.

If you’re meticulous, decisive, and motivated by meaningful work that protects the public, this is your opportunity to step up and make your mark.

This role is being recruited for nationally with multiple roles available across the UK. Successful candidates will be recruited based on merit and the requirement for effective distribution across the four regions outlined below.

The successful candidates will be expected to work across one of these four regions, including a requirement for regular travel and distance working:

• Scotland & Northern Ireland
• North (England)
• Wales & West and South-West England
• London and South-East

Person specification

Essential

• Experience evaluating and assessing compliance against regulatory, statutory, or other defined frameworks, applying consistent and evidence-based judgement.
• Experience working in complex regulated environments and operating in accordance with regulatory and policy frameworks and/or experience of protective security principles and recognised good practice, with the ability to apply these in a compliance-focused context.
• Experience delivering effective compliance, inspection and/or other regulatory operational casework.
• Experience in working as an experienced team member and/or team leader in the conduct of day-to-day operations/activities.
• Experience as a subject matter expert within your area of expertise and providing critical insight to multidisciplinary/cross-function teams.
• Experience managing relationships with external stakeholders and communicating in a considered, professional, and effective manner to support regulatory outcomes.
• Experience delivering briefings, workshops and/or training to audiences in a regulatory or protective security environment.
• Experience managing and prioritising multiple active cases, ensuring effective risk management and informed decision-making across all casework activities.
• Demonstratable understanding of evidence-gathering methods, evidential requirements and the burden of proof in regulatory or investigative contexts.
• Experience conducting interviews or structured information gathering activities to support compliance assessment, evidence gathering, and/ or regulatory inspections.
• Strong analytical capability and sound judgement, with the ability to interpret information, identify issues, and apply problem-solving skills in complex or unfamiliar situations.
• Experience coordinating work across teams and contributing to the delivery of shared objectives within a collaborative environment.
• Understanding of legal framework, evidential requirements and regulatory or sanctions-related processes relevant to enforcement or compliance activity.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly, persuasively, and appropriately to a range of audiences.
• Experience of coaching, mentoring and developing staff.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with experience delivering work effectively within time pressured or high demand environments.
• Ability to objectively evaluate evidence and exercise critical thinking to inform balanced, robust, and transparent regulatory decisions.
• Experience applying or conducting risk assessment processes within a regulatory, operational, or safety-critical environment.

Desirable

• Experience working independently in remote or field-based settings, including holding valid UK driving license and exclusive use of a car.
• A flexible attitude to working hours with the ability to adapt to changing demands.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £49,251, Security Industry Authority contributes £14,268 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%.

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

The SIA does not use Success Profiles - please disregard any information below in relation to this.

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 12/05/2026, 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 15/05/2026

Interviews will be held from week commencing 01/06/26 – 26/06/26

Interviews will be held in person, location will be confirmed after sift

You will be required to prepare and deliver a technical task at interview stage. Details of this will be provided with invitations to 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 /Disclosure Scotland/Access NI 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.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk

National Security vetting

Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

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

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

Senior Inspector – Martyn’s Law JD Opens in new window (pdf, 217kB)2025-11-17 Pre-employment Checking - Document Requirements (V17) Opens in new window (pdf, 231kB)MLR Candidate Briefing Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 2485kB)