Head of Protective Security

Head of Protective Security – Homeland Security – Royalty, VIP and MP Security Unit

Location: London

Salary: £64,300 - £70,730

Working pattern: Hybrid and full-time. Job-share and compressed hours are available

Your leadership can protect the UK’s most high-profile people and places.

About us

At the Home Office, we work to make the UK safer, fairer and more prosperous. That means tackling threats like terrorism and organised crime, standing up to modern slavery and trafficking, shaping drugs policy, and managing immigration and passport services.

Homeland Security Group’s (HSG) mission is to reduce 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.

About the role

As Head of Protective Security, you’ll work with key delivery partners to 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’ll be part of moments that make history, including state visits, and other events of significant national interest.

Day to day, you’ll lead with practical thinking, making sure protective security arrangements are efficient, cost-effective, and ahead of emerging threats. You’ll also help design and roll out enterprise-level technical security systems, while guiding advisors, project managers, and admin staff to deliver projects successfully. As a leader, you’ll seamlessly weave strategy, delivery, and technical excellence together. The result? Seeing and feeling your impact all around you, every day.

When high-level security incidents happen, you’ll be the steady voice guiding the response. You’ll diligently lead a 24/7 call-out process, escalate issues when needed, and keep senior leaders at the highest levels of Government fully informed.

Please note, this role involves UK travel, sometimes at short notice, and participation in an on-call rota including weekends and public holidays. Full training and an allowance will be provided to support this.

About You

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’ll also have a solid foundation in technical security, including alarms, CCTV, and protective security systems.

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

To join us, you must hold Security Check (SC) clearance and be willing to undertake Developed Vetting (DV) on appointment if you do not already hold it.

Closing date: 13th October 2025