Head of Physical Security (FTA)

To act as the principal security adviser to the Chief Executive, Executive Team and wider business, as appropriate. The Head of Physical Security is responsible for managing the appointed security services provider contract for building and event security, guarding and site radio communications, ensuring a secure, safe, compliant and operationally effective environment.

To act as the principal security adviser to the Chief Executive, Executive Team and wider business, as appropriate. The Head of Physical Security is responsible for managing the appointed security services provider contract for building and event security, guarding and site radio communications, ensuring a secure, safe, compliant and operationally effective environment.

• Operational Planning
• Provide expert advice to the Executive Team on security related legislative, regulatory and industry requirements, ensuring that physical security arrangements remain aligned with property management obligations, public safety requirements and recognised best practice.

o Develop and deliver operational and tactical plans across security teams, identifying risks and improvement priorities and ensuring alignment with organisational objectives, relevant legislation and the requirements of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (Martyn’s Law).

o Lead the operational delivery, documentation, testing and continuous improvement of counterterrorism and public protection procedures and measures, working with the QEII Health & Safety Adviser to support organisational readiness for Martyn’s Law, including relevant training and simulations.

o Act as the principal contact for the Metropolitan Police Event Liaison Officer and local Police Security Coordinators, cascading information appropriately to internal and external stakeholders.

o Work with the appointed security services provider, event teams, the police and any additional event-specific security providers to assess event security risk profiles and complete proportionate background checks, supporting a proactive approach to intelligence gathering.

o Lead security planning for high profile, politically sensitive and internationally significant events, engaging with police, government stakeholders and specialist security partners where appropriate.

o Lead the development and review of QEII, the appointed security services provider and event-specific security plans.

• Leadership and Additional Responsibilities

o Develop and promote a positive security culture across the organisation, building the awareness, capability and confidence of employees, contractors and partners in relation to their responsibilities under the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (Martyn's Law), relevant criminal and civil legislation, regulatory requirements and recognised industry standards.

o Represent the organisation at relevant professional forums and industry events.

o Act as the site data controller for CCTV.

o Act as a member of the Gold team when required.

o Ensure best value across all contracts, manage relevant budgets, prepare fully costed staffing deployment orders, update profit and loss information and raise purchase orders as required.

o Shape the future development of the security function through effective contract leadership and collaborative working.

o Undertake other reasonable duties and projects at the request of the line manager or CEO.

o Ensure security operations support the delivery of a welcoming, professional and customer focused visitor experience.

o The responsibilities above are not exhaustive and may change to meet business needs.

• Contract Management

o Coordinate security and guarding to promote consistency, collaboration, high standards of delivery and an excellent customer experience.

o Lead the procurement and mobilisation of relevant contracts so that they meet organisational needs and deliver best value.

o Manage contract performance, including monitoring and reporting key performance indicators against agreed service levels.

o Work with the appointed security services provider and other relevant QEII partners and contractors where applicable, to develop, maintain and align robust security policies, standard operating procedures and processes with wider organisational requirements and recognised best practice.

o Hold regular contract governance meetings with the appointed security services provider and lead contract performance reviews, improvement plans and related commercial discussions.

o Ensure the appointed security services provider and any additional security contractors deliver effective training and comply with QEII rules and all relevant regulatory, statutory and legislative requirements.

o Attend key events to undertake audit, quality control and contractor training activities.

o Undertake timely security clearance vetting for all contractors and hold records.

o Ensure contracted operations are appropriately and proportionately resourced for the risks associated with activities and event.

The above is not exhaustive and other duties not outlined may form part of the employees’ job description.

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)

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

Candidates should apply by submitting:

• a tailored CV to hr@qeiicentre.london setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements, of no more than two pages. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
• a personal statement – in no more than 500 words showing how you meet the criteria of the person specification evidence.

The closing date for applications is 22nd October 2026 @ 23.59

We will be sifting applications using Experience from your job history, qualifications and personal statement week commencing 26th October 2026.

Interviews will take place in the week commencing 2nd November 2026.

2nd stage interviews will take place week commencing 9th November 2026.

For candidates invited for interview, this vacancy is using the Civil Service Success Profiles Framework, and we will be assessing Strengths, Experience, Behaviours and Technical Skills.

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

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