Head of Security

This role is primarily based in Tŷ Hywel, Cardiff Bay, (usually 4 days per week) due to the nature of the role, and to support business needs.
Around this requirement there will be opportunities for working remotely.
The post holder will also have responsibility for the security at the Senedd North Wales Office at Llandudno Junction, working with Welsh Government.
The post-holder will also have oversight for the security of Member Constituency Offices across Wales., The Head of Security will lead our security operations within the Senedd Commission, responsible for the leadership and direction of circa 70 security professionals across the Commission Estate, which includes the Tŷ Hywel office building, Senedd and Pierhead, as well as a Security service that supports the work of Members of the Senedd across Wales. This is a pivotal role, responsible for ensuring the safety and security of our Members of the Senedd, support staff, employees, visitors and our infrastructure.
You will be joining us at a very exciting time as we move toward increasing the number of elected Members and bring about an exponential growth in business.
This will require foresight and creativity to help shape the security service to meet this impending challenge together with a well-tested ability to manage change inclusively and effectively.
The post holder will also be expected to oversee and manage a delegated budget of £3.7 million in compliance with the corporate standards.
The Head of Security will report to the Director of Resources., + Lead the Security service and provide support to colleagues with their responsibilities, helping to build and foster a robust security culture within the Commission.
+ You will be part of the Commission’s Leadership Team and champion our wellbeing and diversity initiatives that includes creating a respectful, diverse, and inclusive workplace.
+ Champion our Commission values of Respect, Passion and Pride and embed them within the Security Service.
Risk Management:
+ Identify, assess, and mitigate security risks to ensure the safety and security of all Members of the Senedd, their support staff, employees and visitors, and Senedd infrastructure.
+ Lead on the management and mitigation of security risks and incidents.
+ Lead on security risk planning for major events and other significant visits.
Security Operations:
+ Oversee day-to-day security operations, including physical security, information security, ensuring compliance with national security standards.
+ Lead the vetting office and ensure all vetting procedures are up to date and protocols are in place reflecting the UK National Security Vetting standards.
+ Lead the security outreach team to secure Constituency offices and to provide security advice and support to Members of the Senedd in their communities.
+ Stay up to date with industry trends and advancements in security methodology and technology to improve the company's security posture.
Policy Development:
+ Create and enforce security policies, procedures, and protocols across the organisation, ensuring they are communicated and understood at all levels.
+ You will ensure that Standard Operating Procedures are in place and reviewed and that standards are met by the Service.
+ Develop and implement a comprehensive security strategy aligned with the Senedd’s objectives and UK government regulations.
Incident Management:
+ Lead the response to security incidents, coordinating with relevant authorities, and conducting thorough investigations to prevent recurrence.
+ You will act as the Commission lead on the security management of high-profile events, such as Royal Openings and other high-profile events, with responsibility for crisis management and act in the event of an emergency.
+ You will advise the Executive Board on the management of security risks and provision of day-to-day strategic and operational direction on security matters.
Stakeholder Engagement:
+ Develop and maintain key internal and external relationships, particularly at a senior level by advising the Chief Executive, Llywydd, police, security agencies, and other government related departments to ensure that intelligence regarding the Commission is quickly obtained and appropriately managed and disseminated to share best practice.
+ Ensure that industry good practice security principles and requirements are embedded across all aspects of security within the Commission.
Compliance:
+ Ensure adherence to all relevant laws, regulations, and guidelines, including those related to national security.
+ To test and exercise security competence to respond to emergencies or other critical business incidents.., You will be updated on your progress via the email address you first register with. Please check your Junk Mail and Spam folders to make sure you don’t miss any future correspondence.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
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)

1. Extensive experience in a senior security management role, preferably within a high profile or high security environment.
2. A Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification, or extensive experience in Security Management, Criminal Justice, Information Security, or a related field.
3. Comprehensive and application of such knowledge of physical security, information security, and crisis management.
4. Proven record of leading an operational team 24/7 managing both the operational and strategic development.
5. Ability to lead in a crisis, to make critical decisions quickly and remain calm under pressure.
6. A politically astute, influential, and credible communicator who is able to form positive and collaborative working relationships with elected members, senior leaders, colleagues, service providers and external partners.

Desirable criteria:
The following qualities are not essential for this particular post but have been deemed as desirable. These will only be taken into account in the event of two (or more) candidates acquiring the same score at either application or interview stage.
1. Post-graduate qualification or professional certifications (e.g., CISSP, CPP, CISM) are highly desirable.
2. Experience in managing security for large-scale, high-profile events or projects.
3. Familiarity with the latest security technologies and innovations.

Alongside your salary of £73,350, Welsh Parliament contributes £21,249 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ Learning and development tailored to your role
+ An environment with flexible working options
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
+ A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%