Defence Security Controller

MOTT MACDONALD; Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Private pension and life cover

Flexible benefits and bonus options

Employee ownership and collaboration

Job summary

Mott MacDonald is seeking a Defence Security Controller to provide expert security leadership for major Defence projects in the UK, overseeing project security, IT security, and governance. The role supports growth, compliance, and regulatory requirements while enabling collaboration across teams.

Working within a hybrid model, you will develop Security Management Plans, conduct security risk assessments, and lead audits.

Qualifications

• Current membership of the Security Institute (ASyI, MSyI or FSyI).
• Proven experience in Defence, uniformed services, or custodial environments.
• Strong ability to engage with senior stakeholders.
• Experience conducting security audits.
• High level of IT literacy for reports, audits, and presentations.
• Ability to analyse data and develop Security Management Plans.

Responsibilities

• Defence & Project Security: Act as Project Security Controller and provide security assurance across the project lifecycle.
• IT & Information Security: Manage Cyber Security Model, SbD, and DPIA submissions; advise on classification and secure IT systems.
• Corporate Security & Governance: Maintain Security Instructions and support audits and governance across Defence activities.
• Incident Management & Resilience: Investigate security incidents and support business continuity and crisis response.
• Training, Awareness & Security Culture: Design and deliver tailored security training for Defence and Aviation projects.

Skills

Security audits

Stakeholder engagement

IT literacy

Data analysis

Security planning

Job description

Location/s: Manchester, UK

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices.

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual.

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you're surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About thebusinessunit

The Buildings Unit (BLD) has a major presence in Mott MacDonald's regional offices throughout the UK and mainland Europe, providing a wide range of diverse and transferable cross-sector skills across five key Sectors; Advisory, Built Environment, Energy, Transportation and Water. We also provide local services to customers and technical leadership to the rest of the Group in these sectors.

Overview of the role

The Defence Security Controller is a key member of the Defence and Civil Nuclear Team, providing expert security leadership and assurance to major MM Defence projects in the Preston area. The role delivers project, programme, and corporate-level security oversight to ensure the protection of HMG classified, sensitive aviation, and regulated assets, while maintaining compliance with UK Government and MOD requirements.

The post holder will act as Project Security Controller for assigned programmes, supporting business growth, contract delivery, and regulatory compliance across Defence portfolios.

Key responsibilities and duties include:

• Defence & Project Security
  • Act as Project Security Controller for major MM Defence programmes, providing proportionate security assurance across the project lifecycle
  • Interpret, implement and monitor security controls to protect HMG-classified assets in line with contractual, legislative and policy requirements
  • Ensure compliance with GovS 007, legacy Security Policy Framework (SPF) requirements and relevant MOD Joint Service Publications
  • Provide security advice to Project Sponsors, Programme Managers and Project Managers, including attendance at project kick-off meetings
  • Oversee the development, approval and maintenance of Security Management Plans (SMPs) and Project Security Strategies
• IT & Information Security
  • Act as Defence IT Security Officer (ITSO) for assigned programmes
  • Manage and process Cyber Security Model (CSM), Secure by Design (SbD) and Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) submissions
  • Advise on information classification, aggregation, secure IT systems and information-sharing arrangements, including FSNs and ISNs
  • Contribute aviation security expertise to bids and proposals to strengthen MM's right to win
• Corporate Security & Governance
  • Maintain and update Corporate Security Instructions, ensuring accessibility and compliance with Defence and aviation security requirements
  • Support security planning for new contracts, office relocations/refurbishments and facilities handling classified or aviation-regulated assets
  • Maintain the Defence Security Risk Register, aligned to Group Risk Management policy
  • Support internal and external security audits across Defence activities
• Incident Management & Resilience
  • Investigate, report and manage security incidents and breaches in accordance with MM procedures and Contracting Authority requirementsli>
  • Support Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery planning from a Defence security perspective
  • Provide security advice during incident, crisis response and recovery activities
• Training, Awareness & Security Culture
  • Design and deliver tailored security awareness and training for Defence and Aviation projects, covering:
    • Physical and cyber security
    • Counter-terrorism awareness
    • MOD regulatory requirements
    • Security culture, behavioural change and suspicious package/mail handling awareness

Key deliverables:

• Security Management Plans (SMPs) and Project Security Strategies
• SAL interpretation, dissemination and review
• Security audits and assurance activities Security training and awareness delivery
• Incident investigations and reporting
• Defence Security Risk Register
• Day-to-day security guidance on classification, aggregation, overseas travel, ISNs, GovS 007, JSP 440, JSP 850 and Defence regulatory requirements

Candidate specification

Essential

• Current membership of the Security Institute (ASyI, MSyI or FSyI)
• Proven experience working within Defence, uniformed services, or custodial environments (e.g. police or similar)
• Strong ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders
• Previous experience conducting security audits
• High level of IT literacy, with the ability to produce written reports, deliver presentations, and complete audits
• Ability to analyse data and develop comprehensive Security Management Plans

Desirable

• Understanding of the Defence sector
• Experience delivering security toolbox talks
• Experience working with ISNs and GovS 007 standards

Please be advised that offers for this role are conditional upon obtaining the appropriate level of Security Clearance.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

AI Usage

At Mott MacDonald, we see the value AI can bring, but we take a people-first approach to hiring. While AI tools can help candidates prepare and build confidence, every application and hiring decision is reviewed by our recruitment and hiring teams. We encourage the responsible use of AI while ensuring we get to know the real person behind the application.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at [e-mail] and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

We offer some fantastic benefits including

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• 10 days additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years' service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
• We offer policies and dedicated support to help military families balance service life with career and wellbeing.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award holders in the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme, supported by our dedicated internal Armed Forces Network.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.