Physical Security Specialist

South West Water Limited; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Pension scheme

Annual leave allowance

Bonus scheme

Employee discounts

Career development opportunities

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

South West Water Limited is seeking a skilled Physical Security Specialist to join our Group Security team and safeguard critical water and wastewater infrastructure across the Pennon Group. The role leads security assessments, develops operational requirements, and provides expert guidance on physical security controls.

The successful candidate will work across multiple sites, travel regularly, and help deliver security improvements while ensuring regulatory compliance and resilience of

Qualifications

• Experience in physical security, security risk management or security assurance.
• Experience conducting security risk assessments, threat assessments and assurance activities.
• Strong analytical, investigation and report-writing skills.
• Knowledge of security risk assessment methodologies, loss prevention principles and physical security controls.
• Experience developing security standards, procedures and risk mitigation strategies.
• Experience engaging with operational teams, contractors, regulators or external stakeholders.
• Understanding of drinking water and wastewater treatment, production and supply processes, or the ability to quickly develop this knowledge.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly across the Group.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the Group Security Risk Assessment (SRA) and Operational Requirement (OR) programme across water and wastewater assets.
• Conduct site categorisation, threat assessments, vulnerability assessments and security risk assessments.
• Develop risk-based recommendations and Operational Requirements to support security improvements and investment decisions.
• Support security audits, assurance reviews, regulatory inspections and annual SEMD submissions.
• Provide specialist advice on physical, personnel and procedural security controls to operational teams, asset owners and capital projects.
• Develop and maintain security standards, procedures, guidance and improvement plans across the Group.
• Identify and report security risks, vulnerabilities and compliance gaps, supporting risk-based mitigation and prioritisation activities.
• Build strong relationships with regulators, government agencies, law enforcement partners, contractors and internal stakeholders.
• Support the continuous improvement of security resilience across critical operational assets.

Skills

Physical security

Security risk management

Threat assessments

Analytical skills

Report writing

Security standards

Stakeholder engagement

Driving licence

Education

Degree-level qualification

SC Security Clearance

Job description

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose

South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes.

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose

South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes.

We’re proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.

Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.

Ready to make a splash?

Physical Security Specialist

Location: The successful candidate can be located in either Exeter, Bristol or Redhill with travel regularly

Salary: £38,000 - £45,000 + excellent benefits

Contract: Permanent, Full Time

Travel: Approximately 60% of the working week spent travelling across the South West Water, Bristol Water, Bournemouth Water, SES Water and Isles of Scilly regions.

Hybrid Working: Based in Exeter with a mix of office, site and home working.

We're looking for a Physical Security Specialist to join our Group Security team and play a key role in protecting critical water and wastewater infrastructure across the Pennon Group.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced security professional to help shape and deliver our security assurance programme, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements while strengthening the resilience of essential services relied upon by millions of customers.

Working across multiple water businesses, you'll lead Security Risk Assessments (SRAs), develop Operational Requirements (ORs), provide expert advice on physical security controls, and support the delivery of security improvements across a diverse asset base.

What you'll be doing

• Deliver the Group Security Risk Assessment (SRA) and Operational Requirement (OR) programme across water and wastewater assets.
• Conduct site categorisation, threat assessments, vulnerability assessments and security risk assessments.
• Develop risk-based recommendations and Operational Requirements to support security improvements and investment decisions.
• Support security audits, assurance reviews, regulatory inspections and annual SEMD submissions.
• Provide specialist advice on physical, personnel and procedural security controls to operational teams, asset owners and capital projects.
• Develop and maintain security standards, procedures, guidance and improvement plans across the Group.
• Identify and report security risks, vulnerabilities and compliance gaps, supporting risk-based mitigation and prioritisation activities.
• Build strong relationships with regulators, government agencies, law enforcement partners, contractors and internal stakeholders.
• Support the continuous improvement of security resilience across critical operational assets.

What we're looking for

Essential

• Experience in physical security, security risk management or security assurance.
• Experience conducting security risk assessments, threat assessments and assurance activities.
• Strong analytical, investigation and report-writing skills.
• Knowledge of security risk assessment methodologies, loss prevention principles and physical security controls.
• Experience developing security standards, procedures and risk mitigation strategies.
• Experience engaging with operational teams, contractors, regulators or external stakeholders.
• Understanding of drinking water and wastewater treatment, production and supply processes, or the ability to quickly develop this knowledge.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly across the Group.

Desirable

• Experience within critical national infrastructure, utilities or other highly regulated industries.
• Knowledge of SEMD, WUKSS, PSG, NPSA guidance or similar security frameworks.
• Experience supporting regulatory inspections, assurance reviews or compliance programmes.
• Security-related qualification, or equivalent professional experience.
• Current SC Security Clearance or willingness to obtain clearance.
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience in the water industry, resilience, emergency planning or national infrastructure protection.

Why join us?

This role offers the opportunity to influence security strategy and resilience across a major utility group. You'll work with a wide range of stakeholders, contribute to the protection of critical infrastructure, and help ensure compliance with national security and regulatory requirements while making a tangible impact on the services our customers rely on every day.

Our Benefits

We believe in rewarding our people for their hard work and dedication. As our Physical Security Specialist you'll enjoy:

What We Offer

• Attractive Salary & Benefits Package
• Annual Bonus Scheme – Recognising company performance
• Pension Scheme – Helping you plan for your future
• Hybrid Working – A blend of office and home working, supporting flexibility while maintaining collaboration with your team
• Employee Assistance Programme – Supporting your wellbeing
• Employee Discounts – Access to discounts on a range of products and services
• Annual Leave Allowance – Giving you time to rest and recharge
• Annual Leave Buy & Sell Scheme – Flexibility to purchase additional holiday or sell unused leave to suit your lifestyle
• Career Development Opportunities – Supporting your ongoing growth and development

Closing Date: 4th November 2026

Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.

Be yourself, we like it that way.

Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:

Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.

Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.

Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.