Head of Security - Central Services

The Bank of England (“the Bank”) is the UK's central bank. The Bank is a diverse organisation, and each of its 5000 people are committed to public service and dedicated to promoting the good of the people of the United Kingdom by maintaining monetary and financial stability. 

 

About the team

The Security Division within the Bank mitigates risks that Bank’s property, infrastructure, services or assets are unlawfully damaged, stolen or disrupted. It also mitigates the risk of harm to personnel inside and outside of Bank’s premises including vetting, travel advice and support, and threat management. 

 

Reporting to the Director within Central Operations, this position will lead a large team of about 150 staff covering operational security, vetting, personnel security disciplines, as well as policy, assurance and advisory services. The team is made up of Bank internal staff as well as staff provided by an external outsourcing partner. This is an interesting, busy, and demanding role, with the job holder expected to think on their feet and work continually at a fast and challenging pace managing a large team and diverse set of senior stakeholders in a function critical to the core mission of the Bank. 

The Head of Security is expected to have broad, high-level expertise of security leadership. They will work closely with other Bank areas including Cyber and the Investigations and Monitoring team. It is expected that the role holder will have a solid grasp of technical security, industry standards, and UK Government regulations as well as awareness of the operations of a central bank. They will have a level of knowledge enabling them to direct and lead a team of technical experts in security. 

Due to the nature of this position, applicants will be subject to an enhanced screening and vetting process.

 

About the role

The Head of Security will be responsible for managing the delivery of security services to the standards agreed upon by the Bank, with them acting as advisor to the setting of those standards. This involves safeguarding the protection of the Bank of England's people, assets, and reputation. They will deliver ongoing assessments of security risks, issues, and dependencies to proactively mitigate threats and inform an effective security strategy. Additionally, they will manage third-party security providers to ensure value, compliance, and performance from the security supply chain. 

Engagement with relevant partners, such as law enforcement, is crucial to effectively respond to security threats and incidents. This position will drive a culture of operational excellence across both in-house and contracted teams of security personnel. It will handle security incidents as they arise and provide confidence things are being well managed. Furthermore, it will deliver tailored briefings and advice to executives regarding security incidents and issues, supporting effective decision-making. It will contribute to the development and delivery of the Bank’s security strategy and programme of work. 

 

The security setup within the Bank is diverse and broad. The Head of Security will work closely together with other parts of the Bankto deliver a consistent approach to security across the whole estate. Key stakeholders in other parts of the Bank will include the Chief Information Security Officer and the Head of Investigations and Monitoring. They will also closely work together with key functions of the Bank with specific operational security needs. 

 

Key responsibilities 

Strategic 

• Lead the development, integration, monitoring and management of the Bank’s cross-functional strategy, policy and programme for security to meet current and emerging security matters.  
• Advocate for positive change as a mentor and champion.  
• Lead the delivery and integration of the Bank’s strategic threat assessment to evaluate the changing profile of threats and hazards across all domains of security and apply this to enable effective decision making. 
• Support security related governance within the Bank including providing information to the Bank’s Security Board and Executive Risk Committee. 

 

Operational 

• Deliver the Bank’s security objectives by promoting effective collaboration between functional leaders and driving the development of a high-performing security leadership team. 
• Defining and implementing appropriate security arrangements for the Bank’s locations and hubs. Drive a programme of continual assurance of security-related operations, programmes and projects to deliver continuous improvement and support investment decisions. 
• Working with other security professionals to develop and have oversight of the delivery of security services, building security protection and access control.  
• Security incident management and risk assessment, including the articulation of threat requirements.
• Work closely with the Risk and Secretary’s Directorates, providing counsel on a wide range of security issues relevant forums.  

 

Minimum Criteria

• Extensive experience in senior security leadership and management experience, ideally within a government or finance industry environment.  
• Substantial experience in an operational or protective security environment. 
• Shown ability to research and stay up to date with security trends, as well as changing government legislation in relation to all aspects of security. 

 

Essential Criteria 

• Exceptional managerial skills and the ability to lead a large team.  
• High levels of interpersonal skills.  

 

Desirable Criteria 

• Knowledge of security related information management systems.  
• Holds a degree or equivalent in security, risk, or a related field from a recognised institution, e.g. CSMP Level 6. 
• Demonstrable negotiating skills required for dealing with large contractor relationships and resolving issues with third party providers.  
• Experience of presenting to large audiences with differing levels of knowledge on security and operating within external security fora. 
• Shown proficiency in developing security protocols and procedures. 

 

Bank Behaviours 

In addition to the role requirements outlined above, the holder of this role is expected to act and behave in line with the Our Bank Behaviours. 

 

This is a people management role. You will be responsible for day to day management of the team and for defining roles and responsibilities. You will develop your team through sharing information effectively, coaching and communicating a clear vision to ensure that your staff are productive, engaged and motivated to deliver the area's aims. This will include setting clear goals and smart stretching objectives that are aligned to those of the team, division and directorate. You will also be responsible for managing all staff-related matters that may arise including performance, absence and sickness.

 

Number of direct reports: 5

 

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Our Approach to Inclusion

The Bank values diversity, equity and inclusion. We play a key role in maintaining monetary and financial stability, and to do that effectively, we believe we need a workforce that reflects the society we serve. 

At the Bank of England, we want all colleagues to feel valued and respected, so we're working hard to build an inclusive culture which supports people from all backgrounds and communities to be at their best at work. We celebrate all forms of diversity, including (but not limited to) age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. We believe that it’s by drawing on different perspectives and experiences that we’ll continue to make the best decisions for the public.

We welcome applications from individuals who work flexibly, including job shares and part time working patterns. We've also partnered with external organisations to support us in making adjustments for candidates and employees in the recruitment process where they're needed.

For most roles where work can be carried out at home, we aim for colleagues to spend half of their time in the office, with a minimum of 40% per month.  Subject to that minimum requirement, individuals and managers should work together to find what works best for them, their team and stakeholders.

Finally, we're proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme. If you wish to apply under this scheme, you should check the box in the ‘Candidate Personal Information’ under the ‘Disability Confident Scheme’ section of the application.

Salary and Benefits Information

We encourage flexible working, part time working and job share arrangements.  Part time salary and benefits will be on a pro-rated basis as appropriate.

This role offers a competitive salary and in addition, we also offer a comprehensive benefits package as detailed below:

 

• Currently a non-contributory, career average pension giving you a guaranteed retirement benefit of 1/95th of your annual salary for every year worked. There is the option to increase your pension (to 1/50th) or decrease (to 1/120th) in exchange for salary through our flexible benefits programme each year.  The Bank has the discretion to vary standard accrual rates and dial up and dial down rates at any time and to withdraw dial up and dial down options at any time.
• A discretionary performance award based on a current award pool.
• A 8% benefits allowance with the option to take as salary or purchase a wide range of flexible benefits.  
• 26 days’ annual leave with option to buy up to 12 additional days through flexible benefits. 
• Private medical insurance and income protection.

 

National Security Vetting Process

Employment in this role will be subject to the National Security Vetting clearance process (and typically can take between 6 to 12 weeks post offer) and the passing of additional Bank security checks in accordance with the Bank policy.  Further information regarding the vetting and security clearance requirements for the role will be provided to the successful applicant, and information about how the Bank processes personal data for these purposes, is set out in the Bank's Privacy Notice.

The Bank of England welcomes applications from all candidates, but as a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approved sponsor, we have a responsibility to comply with the Immigration Rules and guidance.  As such, our ability to employ individuals who require sponsorship for immigration purposes is limited.  The Bank cannot guarantee that you and / or the role you are applying for will be eligible for sponsorship and that any application made to UKVI will be successful.  Eligibility will therefore be considered on a case by case basis.

The Application Process

Important: Please ensure that you complete the ‘work history’ section and answer ALL the application questions fully. All candidate applications are anonymised to ensure that our hiring managers will not be able to see your personal information, including your CV, when reviewing your application details at the screening stage. It’s therefore really important that you fill out the work history and application form questions, as your answers will form a critical part of the initial selection process.

The assessment process will comprise of two interview stages. 

This role closes on 22nd April 2025

Please apply online, ensuring that you complete your work history and answer ALL the application questions fully and in detail as your application will not be considered if all mandatory questions are not fully completed.

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We are the UK's central bank - and we are a bank like no other; known by our peers for our world-leading thinking on policy and strategy.   Our mission is to promote the good of the people of the UK by maintaining monetary and financial stability. We seek to keep prices stable and people's money safe. We know our work matters to people, to families, up and down the UK. We are driven by curiosity and the desire to do important, challenging work.    It takes a great team to run the Bank of England. We rely on each other to play our part. We benefit from a collaborative culture and long-established flexible ways of working, supporting our colleagues balance their work and personal lives. We strive to be a place where people feel they belong and have equal access to opportunities, because different perspectives helps us make the best decisions for the public.   There's much to gain from working with us - from career defining work at the heart of the UK economy, being part of a fantastic team, and a rewarding compensation package.    Join us and find a bank like no other. Together, we can make a difference.
The Bank of England will use and protect the information you provide when you apply for a role with us, in line with our obligations under data protection law.  This is so we can assess your suitability for the role and administer your application. If you’re successful we’ll use it to offer you a position and onboard you to join the Bank.
If you would like more details about how your information will be used and your information rights, please visit our recruitment privacy notice