Project Security Service Lead
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
- Department
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
- Location
- Salisbury, Fareham
- Openings
- 1 post
- Grade
- Grade 7
- Salary
- £51,568 to £58,044
- Closing
- 17 days left
- Profession
- Operational Delivery
- Contract
- Permanent
- Security clearance
- DV
- Working pattern
- Annualised hours, Flexible working, Full-time, Compressed hours
Job summary
Are you an experienced security professional looking to influence high-profile science, technology and defence projects? Dstl is seeking a Project Security Service Lead to drive security assurance across our diverse project portfolio and help deliver critical capabilities safely and securely.
As a senior member of the Operational Security Team, you will provide expert security leadership, ensuring security risks are identified, managed and embedded throughout the project lifecycle. You will work closely with project teams, senior leaders and key defence stakeholders to enable secure delivery while supporting innovation and operational success.
Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.
What they’re looking for
- What we're looking for
- We're interested in candidates who can demonstrate:
- Experience providing security advice and assurance within defence, government or another highly regulated environment.
- Strong knowledge of security risk management and assurance frameworks.
- The ability to assess complex risks and provide practical, proportionate solutions.
- Experience working with multiple stakeholders and influencing decision-making at a senior level.
- Understanding of key security disciplines, including supply chain, cyber, physical and personnel security.
- Excellent communication, leadership and relationship-building skills.
- Why join Dstl?
- This is an opportunity to play a key role in protecting nationally important science and technology programmes while helping shape the future of security across Dstl. You'll work with a wide range of experts, influence strategic decisions and contribute to projects that have real impact on UK defence and security.
- If you're passionate about enabling secure delivery, leading through expertise and making a difference, we'd love to hear from you.
- Important Information
- Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.
- This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.
Behaviours you’ll be assessed on
This advert says the panel will score you against these behaviours at Grade 7 level. Each one links to worked examples.
Job description
What you'll be doing
- Leading the delivery of project security advice, assurance and governance across Dstl programmes and projects.
- Providing expert guidance on security risk management, supply chain security and third-party assurance.
- Working with internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance with defence and government security standards.
- Coordinating specialist security expertise across cyber, physical, personnel and operational security disciplines.
- Supporting projects from inception through to transition into business-as-usual operations.
- Driving continuous improvement of security policies, processes and assurance activities.
- Coaching and mentoring colleagues, helping to build security capability across the organisation.
Qualifications
Evidence of good standard of general education e.g. GCSEs or equivalent including English and Mathematics at Grade C or above.
Nationality requirements
Open to UK nationals only.
This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.
Selection process
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk and we will do all we can to support you.
Sifting will take place week commencing the 9th November with interviews to be arranged on 25th November 2026
Your interview will consist of behavioural & technical interview to include a presentation entitled ‘How would you deliver Supply Chain Security within a Defence or Government environment?’
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Practise before you apply
Civil Service panels score every answer against the Success Profiles behaviours at Grade 7 level. Practise STAR answers and get them marked against the same framework.
3 free questions · No card needed
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