Security Controller

Team Derby; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A modern university is seeking an Operations Controller to ensure the safety and security of students and staff across the campus. This role involves managing security operations, including incident response and coordinating CCTV monitoring. Candidates should bring relevant experience from a security operations environment, strong situational awareness, and decision-making skills. This position offers a full-time schedule with a 4 on 4 off shift pattern and a competitive salary including a shift allowance.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

Local Government Pension Scheme

Discounted onsite gym

Flexible working environment

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a control room or security operations environment.
• Comfortable managing CCTV, radio, and access control systems.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate security operations across the university.
• Provide high-profile security services to maintain safety.
• Respond to incidents and manage emergency procedures.

Skills

Situational awareness

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Decision-making

Education

GCSEs in Maths and English

Full clean UK driving licence

Tools

CCTV systems

Access control systems

Radio communication systems

Job description

About The University

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground‑breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better. The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region. We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes. Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

About The College/Department

Our Campus Life and Student Living department is responsible for essential services that significantly impact the student experience. Campus Life is all about the various services that enhance the overall student experience, including sports, recreational facilities and community engagement. Whereas our Student Living teams ensure the safety, comfort and compliance of the University’s residential estates. Whichever team you become a part of; student experience is our focus! Our security team are key to the University’s success. Generally being the first interaction our customers and visitors will have with us, the service they receive will shape their experience.

About The Role

As an Operations Controller, you’ll play a key role in ensuring the safety and security of our students, staff, and facilities across the University of Derby. Based within our 24/7 Control Room at the Kedleston Road campus, you’ll coordinate all aspects of security operations, from incident response and monitoring CCTV systems to directing on‑site teams and liaising with external agencies when required. You’ll act as the central point of contact for all planned and reactive security activity, ensuring a professional, efficient and customer‑focused service at all times. This is a fast‑paced and varied role where no two days are the same – requiring quick thinking, sound judgement, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. The full‑time working hours for this role are 42 hours per week, working a 4 on 4 off pattern. The shifts are 12 hours (07:00 to 19:00 and 19:00 to 07:00), with a 24/7 rota in place. The salary advertised includes a 20% shift allowance.

Please Note: On appointment, the job title will be "Operations Controller".

About You

You’ll bring proven experience from a control room or security operations environment, with strong situational awareness and the confidence to take the lead during incidents. You’ll have excellent communication and organisational skills, a proactive approach to problem‑solving, and the ability to make quick, effective decisions when it matters most. You’ll be comfortable using CCTV, radio, and access control systems, as well as maintaining accurate records and reports. A customer‑focused mindset and the ability to handle sensitive or challenging situations with professionalism are essential. You’ll hold GCSEs (or equivalent) in Maths and English, along with a full, clean UK driving licence. A current SIA CCTV or Door Supervisor Licence and First Aid at Work Certificate would be advantageous, as would IT competence and experience operating large‑scale security systems.

Principal accountabilities

• Provide and supervise a high‑profile security service aimed at, maintaining and promoting the safety and security of all University property, facilities and equipment, and that of all associated users, whilst on duty. Also ensuring a 24hr point of contact and response service across all areas of the University and Halls of Residence.
• Co‑ordinate and control of the activities of the Security staff, ensuring sufficient resource is available, providing guidance, instruction and support at all times, monitoring performance and providing feedback for development and review.
• Collate and source information and intelligence relating any activity that may affect University life, regardless of location, and disseminate to all security duty staff as appropriate, including delivering shift briefings.
• Ensure targeted high visibility patrols, both physical and electronic, of all University and Halls of Residence sites, intended to deter and reduce crime and antisocial behaviour.
• Ensure that all routine tasks are performed at the appropriate time by directing and deploying resources appropriately and by updating all task and event calendars with timed reminders.
• Ensure a prompt and effective response to any incident such as, alarm activations, reports of crime, antisocial behaviour, or any other incident, occurring on University and DSRL controlled premises.
• Gather evidence of offences and breaches of student discipline, create incident reports and submit to the duty security supervisor for review.
• Take ownership of the total control room function, maintaining databases; operating radio, CCTV, Access Control Systems, computer systems, ANPR and other similar equipment, in accordance with agreed procedures and legal requirements.
• Manage the intercoms from the entrances to University buildings.
• Manage car parks and buildings and any information requested.
• Manage the dedicated emergency telephone lines within the security control room.
• Manage initial emergency procedures until relieved by the Security Manager/Head of Security or IMT.
• Manage the radio networks communicating with Security, Estates and Residences.
• Take a pivotal role in managing all incidents to ensure appropriate resource and escalation process are implemented.
• Record all incidents by creating a concise, accurate and complete incident report.
• Identify, investigate and report all risks, and ensure appropriate steps are taken to remove or mitigate their effects.
• To oversee the deployment of security resources to emergency situations until or if relieved and ensure an appropriate response is delivered.
• Liaise and assist, where appropriate, with the Police and other external agencies in investigating all criminal activity affecting the University and its users.
• Ensure a 24hr point of contact and a sufficiently resourced response service across all areas of the University.
• Monitor tradesmen, and contractors ensure correct behaviour is observed at all times.
• To be prepared to reasonably adjust working hours and arrangements were necessary and cover for absences.
• Comply with all Legislation, University policies and procedures and any reasonable instructions given by Supervisors and Managers.
• Ensure a 24‑hour point of contact and response service across all areas of the University. Providing in‑person emergency response across any location if required.
• To undertake any other duties as seen appropriate by the Head of Security.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

• GCSEs in Maths and English at grades A‑C or equivalent qualifications
• Full and clean UK driving licence

Experience

• Proven experience of working in a busy control room environment or security function
• Proven experience of problem solving and decision making
• Proven experience of providing excellent customer service
• Proven experience of conducting minor investigations and compiling written reports

Skills, Knowledge And Abilities

• A clear and thorough communication style both verbally and in written form
• The ability to take the lead of a situation and delegate and direct staff and or external bodies as necessary
• Excellent organisational skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Problem solver
• Ability to handle incidents in a busy and often unpredictable environment.
• Highly motivated, committed and confident.
• Ability to deal with conflict and difficult situations
• Knowledge of customer service standards, practices and policies
• Ability to multi‑task and to handle challenging situations
• Strong literacy and numeracy skills, with meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to remain calm and controlled in a demanding and stressful situation

Business Requirements

• Willingness and flexibility to travel and work between university and external sites in a cost effective and timely manner

Desirable Criteria

Qualifications

• Current first aid at work certificate
• SIA CCTV Licence
• SIA Level 2 Door Supervisor Licence
• Customer service or similar at level 3 or demonstrable experience
• IT Qualification or equivalent experience

Experience

• Proven experience of operating large Security related systems

Skills, Knowledge And Abilities

• Competent in the use of both MS and third‑party applications
• Self‑motivated

Business Requirements

• Willingness and flexibility to travel and work between university and external sites in a cost effective and timely manner

Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family‑friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

Key contact

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Amer Shams, Head of Security via [e-mail]

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [e-mail].

Important information

Visa Sponsorship Eligibility

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

DBS check

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and is therefore subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post. To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, regardless of age, disability, trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex and sexual orientation. We are Disability Confident Employers, demonstrating our commitment to disability inclusion, and invite applicants to highlight adjustments they may require to ensure equitable participation in our recruitment processes. Further, we are committed to ensuring an environment which is trans and non‑binary‑inclusive for all our staff, students, partners, and visitors, and continuously review our policies, guidance and training. When applying to join the University, you can choose your preferred title, including the gender‑neutral title 'Mx'. We also ask our candidates if they would like to share their preferred pronouns. This is voluntary but demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity for trans and non‑binary candidates. Once employed, you can add pronouns and preferred names onto our system. The University of Derby undertakes anonymised shortlisting during the staff recruitment process. This means that, when shortlisting, panel members will not be able to see an applicant’s name and will see an applicant number instead. This demonstrates the practical steps we are taking to remove barriers to recruitment by minimising the possible impact of our unconscious bias. However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population. Read more about equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of Derby.

Environmental Sustainability

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University’s strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University’s objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.