Head of Security – UK & Ireland | Hybrid Working

SSP UK & Ireland; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discounts across brands

Health and wellbeing support

Hybrid working flexibility

Job summary

SSP UK & Ireland is seeking a Head of Security for Jamestown, London to lead and shape the security strategy across the UK & Ireland, ensuring the safety of customers, colleagues and assets. You will oversee governance, incident response, risk management and security technology, manage budgets and build a high‑performing team while collaborating with Legal, People, Ops and external partners.

This senior role requires strategic vision, strong leadership, and the ability to translate complex risks

Qualifications

• Ability to develop a risk-based security and loss-prevention strategy across a multi-site organisation.
• Proven capability to lead security operations and governance across UK & Ireland.
• Experience handling critical incidents, investigations, business continuity and crisis management.
• Strong knowledge of UK & Ireland legislation, data protection and safety standards.
• Proven ability to balance security risk with customer experience and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead the security strategy across UK & Ireland, aligning with commercial objectives.
• Provide executive leadership for security operations and governance across the estate.
• Act as senior accountability for security; manage incidents, investigations and business continuity.
• Establish a governance framework with clear policies, escalation, and assurance processes.
• Ensure compliance with legislation, regulatory requirements, and internal policies.
• Oversee risk assessments, site audits and control reviews with timely remedial actions.
• Lead complex investigations relating to theft, fraud, and security breaches.
• Collaborate with Legal, People, Store Ops, Risk, Technology and other functions.
• Build relationships with store managers, landlords, police, insurers and security partners.
• Provide regular security reporting to senior leadership on performance and threats.

Skills

Security strategy & leadership

Risk assessment & mitigation

Incident & crisis management

Loss prevention & investigations

Security systems & technology

Regulatory compliance & data privacy

Stakeholder management

Budgeting & cost control

People leadership & development

Communication & reporting

Data analysis & performance measures

Integrity & judgement

Tools

CCTV systems & access control

Job description

SSP UK & Ireland is seeking a Head of Security for Jamestown, London to lead and shape the security strategy across the UK & Ireland, ensuring the safety of customers, colleagues and assets. You will oversee governance, incident response, risk management and security technology, manage budgets and build a high‑performing team while collaborating with Legal, People, Ops and external partners.

This senior role requires strategic vision, strong leadership, and the ability to translate complex risks