Head of Security

TopRecroot; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense technology company is looking for a Head of Corporate and Executive Security. This strategic role involves managing all aspects of security, ensuring the safety of personnel and facilities globally. Ideal candidates should have a strong military or law enforcement background, extensive experience in physical security, and the ability to develop effective security policies. The position allows for hybrid working arrangements, providing flexibility while leading security initiatives in a rapidly growing environment.

Qualifications

• Proven military, law enforcement, or executive protection background preferred.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence global teams.
• Hands-on experience with facilities security design and technology.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all aspects of physical, personnel, and executive security.
• Ensure the safety of people, facilities, assets, and operations globally.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, drills, and emergency response procedures.

Skills

Physical security expertise

Risk management

Leadership and communication

Security policy creation

Personnel security programs

Job description

Job Title: Head of Corporate and Executive Security

Job Location: London, UK (hybrid possible)

Company: European Defense-Tech Manufacturer [Scale-up]

Company size: ~600+ employees

About the Company

Our client is a rapidly growing, innovative defense-tech company with full-cycle R&D presence in the UK, Poland, Czechia, Portugal, Estonia, the US, and Ukraine. With a team of over 600 highly skilled professionals, they are at the forefront of defense technology, delivering cutting-edge solutions while maintaining the highest standards of security and operational excellence.

Role Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced and highly capable Head of Corporate and Executive Security to lead and manage all aspects of physical, personnel, and executive security. This strategic role is ideal for a candidate with a military or equivalent high-security background, who thrives in a fast-paced, innovative environment and has a proven track record in security policy creation, risk management, and operational leadership.

The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the safety of people, facilities, assets, and operations globally.

Corporate and Executive Security

• Ensure duty of care for executives,, and visitors.
• Manage office security, executive travel risk, event security, and emergency response.
• Select and manage vendors for executive protection (EP) and guarding services, defining SLAs and conducting drills.

Facilities and Zoning

• Design physical security layouts, access control systems, and camera coverage per zone.
• Own visitor and contractor procedures, keys / badges, secure rooms, and locker management.

Personnel Security and Clearances

• Lead pre-employment screening, background checks, and clearance submissions in partnership with HR.
• Track renewal schedules, adverse actions, and compliance training (OPSEC, export control, information handling).

Logistics Security

• Define standards and approve plans for secure shipping, storage, and chain-of-custody of kits and sensitive materials.
• Partner with Program and Logistics teams on D-gates and on-site controls.

Endpoint and Device Physical Security

• Collaborate with the CISO on physical security aspects of device issuance, travel, storage, and loss-prevention.
• Enforce asset tagging and device return procedures.

Policy, Training, and Incident Management

• Develop, publish, and maintain SOPs, drills, and emergency response procedures.
• Run quarterly tabletop exercises and maintain incident response protocols for physical and personnel security.

Requirements

• Proven military, law enforcement, or executive protection background preferred.
• Extensive experience in physical security, policy creation, and risk management.
• Hands-on experience with facilities security design, access control, and security technology.
• Experience managing personnel security programs, pre-employment screening, and clearance processes.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to influence and partner across global teams.
• Excellent communication skills, able to convey complex security issues to non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, innovative environment with global operational reach.

Why Join Our Client

• Lead security for a cutting-edge, rapidly expanding defense-tech company.
• Work with a highly skilled, international team of engineers and innovators.
• Opportunity to shape and implement best-in-class corporate and executive security programs.