Head of Protective Security

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 422683

**Salary**:

- £64,300 - £70,730

GBP

**Job grade**:

- Grade 7

**Contract type**:

- Permanent

**Business area**:

- HO - Homeland Security

**Type of role**:

- Policy

**Working pattern**:

- Full-time, Job share, Compressed hours

**Number of jobs available**:

- 1

**Contents**:

- Location
- About the job
- Benefits
- Things you need to know

**Location**:

- London

**About the job**:
**Job summary**:
The Home Office works to build a safe, fair, and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration, and passports.

Homeland Security Group’s (HSG) mission is to reduce homeland security risks to the UK’s people, prosperity, and freedoms. This includes risks from terrorism, state threats, economic crime, and cyber-crime. We provide systems leadership across government and deliver strategic initiatives, working closely with operational partners, the Intelligence Agencies, and other external organisations to protect the UK.

The Royalty, VIP and MP Security Unit puts protective security solutions in place for high-profile people and places. This Unit has grown to keep pace with the increasing scale and complexity of our work, attracting interest from ministers and senior officials. As we deliver ambitious reforms and manage complex casework, we rely on strong collaboration - and that’s where our friendly and supportive team shines.

**Job description**:
As Head of Protective Security, you will keep some of the UK’s most high-profile people and locations safe. Along with overseeing a significant budget and multiple high-stakes contracts, you will be part of moments that make history, for example, the Platinum Jubilee, state visits, and other events of significant national interest.

Whatever your background, what matters most is your experience of managing risk and your strong technical expertise in security. This could come from working with integrated security systems, or a degree in Engineering, Science, or another technical field. You will also have a solid foundation in technical security, including alarms, CCTV, and protective security systems.

You will enjoy working in a dynamic environment, keeping on top of deadlines, and supporting smooth decision-making when risks arise. Your leadership, commercial sense, and calm presence mean you know how to guide projects, manage high-value contracts, and work confidently with senior stakeholders. You will be skilled at translating complex technical concepts into clear, practical advice for non-technical colleagues, and will make confident operational decisions in crucial situations.

**Key responsibilities**
- Design and roll out enterprise-level technical security systems.
- Provide guidance to advisors, project managers, and administrative staff to deliver projects successfully.
- Guide response to high-level security incidents.
- Lead a 24/7 call-out process.
- Escalate issues when needed.
- Keep senior leaders fully informed of issues at all times.

It will be necessary to work flexibly and contribute to other areas to support the wider efforts and priorities of Homeland Security as required, performing additional duties expected within the scope of the grade. Due to the nature of our work, it may be necessary to redeploy you to other critical roles, or priority work at your grade.

**Line Management**

Lead a team ensuring that they are supported to deliver, are fully motivated and personally resilient.

**Travel**

Please note, this role involves travel, sometimes at short notice, to work in other locations (within the UK) based on business need. This may include overnight stays. All related costs will be reimbursed in line with Home Office policy.

**On Call Rota**

**Working Pattern**

**Person specification**:
**Essential criteria**
- Ability to deliver outcomes in dynamic and fast-paced environments, demonstrating effective time management, responsiveness to emerging risks, and a proactive approach to escalating issues appropriately.
- Experience in managing strategic, high-value contracts, with a focus on transparency, supplier diversity, and fostering collaborative relationships that reflect equal opportunity values.
- Evidence of forward-thinking and adaptability, including consideration of future capability needs and the potential impact of evolving technologies on inclusive service delivery and workforce development.

**Desirable criteria**

Experience of:

- Working in national security or operational delivery.
- Managing complex and politically sensitive casework.

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

- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
- Managing a Quality Service

**Benefits**:
In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:

- A Civil Service pension with