Senior Manager - Criminal Enforcement

Job summary

Working within the SIA’s Criminal Enforcement function, you will be the department’s senior operational lead with responsibility for overseeing the daily delivery of a highly effective and efficient criminal enforcement and financial investigation service in order to support the SIA’s purpose of protecting the public through effective regulation.

The work of the Criminal Enforcement function is dynamic and highly operationally focused, and as such you will need to be able to make high-quality risk-based decisions on significant and wide-reaching operational issues. Through the effective management of a team of Criminal and Financial Investigation Mangers, you will ensure that the work undertaken by the department meets and exceeds national standards in order to maximise results, drive efficiencies and limit the organisations exposure to risk.

This role plays a key part in delivering the SIA’s mission to protect the public through effective regulation, by ensuring there is accountability for those who engage in serious non-compliance or wider criminal offending, and that through the deterrent effect of this activity, the SIA’s expectations of high compliance and standards within the industry are reinforced. You will work closely with the SIA’s Legal Services team, the police and other law enforcement partners to secure outcomes which ensure the UK’s private security industry is a hostile place for those who seek to cause harm.

Job description

– Oversee and be responsible for the daily operations of the SIA’s criminal and financial investigation teams, ensuring resources are utilised appropriately and casework is progressed in a timely manner.

– Oversee the department’s case tasking process to ensure that casework is effectively allocated and prioritised in line with the level of threat, risk and harm.

– Be accountable for the overall quality of SIA investigations and evidential files submitted for consideration of prosecution.

– Support the Deputy Director – Criminal Enforcement to ensure the effective management of budget and resources in order to deliver an efficient and effective operating model.

– Be responsible for the performance and development of the department’s investigation teams and through effective leadership manage and drive the performance of the teams.

– Promote continuous professional development opportunities to ensure staff continue to have or maintain the necessary skills to fulfil their role at all times.

– Contribute to the SIA’s Business Planning process and support the Deputy Director to ensure the plan is delivered efficiently and to budget.

– Represent the Criminal Enforcement function at a senior level internally and externally, deputising for the Deputy Director as required.

– Effectively develop and maintain relationships with external partners in order to promote the work of the Criminal Enforcement function, the wider SIA, our purpose and capabilities.

– Through a collegiate working style, develop and maintain a positive working relationship with other business areas across the organisation, proactively seeking opportunities for collaboration.

– Directly oversee and hold responsibility for delivering the most sensitive or critical civil and criminal investigations, developing investigative strategies as required.

– Through continuous professional development, build and maintain the professional knowledge required to build trust with others and lead with credibility.

– Champion the importance of an investigative mindset and professional curiosity in all areas of work.

– Ensure the work of the Criminal Enforcement function is consistent with both the SIA’s Compliance, Supervision and Enforcement approach, the Regulators Code and other key statutory and legislative requirements.

– Keep abreast of wider legislative and policy changes which may impact the work the department.

– Undertake any other reasonable duties as requested from time to time, within the job-holder’s capabilities.

Person specification

• Hold or work towards obtaining accreditation to College of Policing Professionalising Investigative Practice 1 (PIP1) within 12 months of joining the organisation and accredited Counter Fraud Manager (ACFM) qualifications. An equivalent qualification will be accepted.
• A good practical understanding of relevant UK legislation and criminal procedures, including CPIA, Fraud Act, POCA and PACE. Ability to demonstrate a practical understanding of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 and develop this knowledge to subject matter expert level. Understanding of differing requirements across legal jurisdictions.
• An understanding of the role of criminal enforcement measures as part of a wider approach to general regulatory compliance and the use of non-judicial outcomes and sanctions to achieve desired results.
• Experience of effectively analysing complex information and making sound, evidence-based decisions under the pressure of time.
• Extensive leadership experience with the ability to gain the respect and confidence of colleagues. Able to demonstrate effective leadership of teams in a range of circumstances, including through a period of change.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills and a capacity to communicate with a wide range of people with the ability to present information to a variety of audiences. Well-developed negotiating and influencing skills.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £58,501, Security Industry Authority contributes £16,947 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.Alongside your salary of £40,401, Security Industry Authority contributes £11,704 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.

Application Process

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Please use your personal statement (in no more than 500 words) should include your skills and experience for the role.

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted w/c 16th of March by using your personal statement.

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 dates

w/c 16th of March

Final panel interviews

w/c 23rd of March 2026

Shortlisting

Shortlisting meeting will take place from the 10th of March 2026.

Where an applicant has applied for one role but at sifting or interview stage, we consider the candidate may be suitable for a similar role with closely matching essential criteria, with their consent we may alternatively or additionally place the candidate into the recruitment process at the same stage as the other, similar role identified.

Due to business requirements, this role is only available full-time.

Vetting Level - SC

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

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 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

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 : SIA.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
• Telephone : 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 Manager-Criminal Enforcement JD Opens in new window (pdf, 177kB)SIA Recruitment Senior Manager - Criminal Enforcement - Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 1027kB)2025-11-17 Pre-employment Checking - Document Requirements (V17) Opens in new window (pdf, 231kB)