Head of Security & Business Continuity

Bluetownonline; Essex; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university is seeking a Head of Security & Business Continuity to oversee safety operations across multiple campuses. The role requires strong leadership and security management expertise. Key responsibilities include leading a team, managing security contracts, and emergency planning. The ideal candidate will have a higher degree and relevant professional experience in a security role. A competitive salary and benefits are offered.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Occupational pension schemes

Training and development opportunities

Travel to work scheme

Competitive relocation package

Qualifications

• Professional experience in a leadership role in security.
• Experience in managing a large team.
• Familiarity with emergency planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead a Safety & Security Department with over 35 staff.
• Accountable for security across multiple campuses.
• Manage external security contracts.

Skills

Security knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Customer-focused

Innovative thinking

Negotiation skills

Education

Higher degree in a relevant field

Job description

Job Title:

Head of Security & Business Continuity

Location:

This role can be based at either our Chelmsford or Cambridge campus but there is an expectation that the post holder will be visible across all campuses.

Salary:

£58,225 - £67,468 per year

Job type:

Full Time, Permanent

Closing Date:

30/11/2025

About the University:

The University is a global university transforming lives through innovative, inclusive and entrepreneurial education and research. The University holds a Gold award for the quality of its education, awarded through the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).

The University's research institutes and four faculties bridge scientific, technical and creative fields. We deliver impactful research which tackles pressing issues and makes a real difference to our communities. Our academic excellence has been recognised by the UK's Higher Education funding bodies, with 16 of our research areas assessed as world leading. We are the largest provider of Nursing, Midwifery, Health and Social Care students in the East of England, and we are also among the UK's leading universities for degree apprenticeship provision, working with hundreds of employers across the UK.

About the role:

The Safety & Security Department are part of the Office of the Secretary and Clerk which is one of the key Professional Services that support the operation of the university. The role of Head of Security and Business Continuity is responsible for both the Strategic direction as well as the ongoing operational management of the Safety & Security Department.

Responsibilities:

• Lead a Safety & Security Department consisting of over 35 staff, including Duty Managers, Safety & Security Officers, Control Room Operators and Receptionists.
• Accountable for the security provision across four campuses: Cambridge Chelmsford, Writtle, and Peterborough.
• Manage external security contracts, such as the contract that provides additional resource for university events, including graduations, along with the CCTV and Access Control contracts.
• Lead on Emergency Planning, including planning and delivering an Annual Emergency Exercise.
• Communicate effectively with a variety of people, building strong working relationships internally and externally.
• Deliver complex information sensitively and professionally to a wide and varied number of stakeholders.
• Commit to continuous improvement and seek new ways to improve the efficiency of the service.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Higher degree plus demonstrable professional experience for the role or relevant professional/degree level qualification (Chartered where appropriate) and significant demonstrable professional experience for the role.
• Security knowledge and experience managing a large team in a customer-facing role.
• Experience ideally gained in an education environment.
• Competent IT skills and a customer-centric ethos.
• Ability to think innovatively, possess good interpersonal and negotiating skills, and uphold the university values.

Interviews:

Interviews will be held week commencing 8th December 2025.

Benefits:

We have an agile working culture and offer an extensive range of benefits including generous holiday entitlement, occupational pension schemes, training and development opportunities, travel to work scheme and a competitive relocation package. Visit our benefits page for full details.

Commitments:

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare of our staff and students and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants should be aware that the university will carry out online searches as part of the due diligence on shortlisted candidates. This appointment is subject to an enhanced level children's and adults barred list disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

We value diversity at the university and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

We have a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Committed to being inclusive and open to discuss flexible working.

Apply:

Please click on the APPLY button where you will be redirected to our website where you can find out more about this opportunity.

Additional Experience:

Candidates with the experience or relevant job titles of: Director of Security and Resilience, Head of Corporate Security and Risk, Chief Security Officer, Director of Business Continuity and Operations, will also be considered for this role.