Security Manager

AWE; Reading; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package (terms)

On-call duty allowance

9-day working fortnight

Pension scheme

Professional development support

Job summary

AWE is recruiting a Security Manager to lead the security function at Aldermaston, with most work on site and limited/home-working opportunities.

The role focuses on leading teams, identifying and mitigating risks, and delivering governance and assurance across critical operations. Applicants should bring strong leadership, risk, and governance experience in high-security environments.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience identifying, assessing and mitigating risk.
• Knowledge of governance frameworks, standards or management systems.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Proactive, resilient and adaptable approach.

Responsibilities

• Leading and developing individuals and high-performing teams.
• Identifying, assessing and mitigating security risks across programmes and operations.
• Developing and maintaining security management arrangements, policies, standards and requirements.
• Providing expert security advice to stakeholders across the business.
• Influencing decision-making through clear communication and evidence-based recommendations.
• Driving continuous improvement, innovation and adoption of best practice.
• Supporting security assurance and performance measurement activities.
• Building collaborative relationships across multidisciplinary teams.
• Line management responsibilities may form part of this role.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Risk assessment

Security governance

Security advice

Communication

Organisational skills

Problem solving

Education

Experience in security management or related field

Tools

Governance frameworks

Job description

Security Manager (R30171)

Closing Date: 24th August 2026

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.

Due to the classified nature of the work involved, there are limited opportunities to work from home in this role. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will spend the majority of their time working on site at AWE Aldermaston.

Package: From £48,950 per annum (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience)

• A relocation package may be available (terms and conditions apply).
• Plus allowance for on-call Rota Duty Security Manager role.

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.

Ready to play your part?

At AWE, it’s not just a job, it’s far more than that. Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe. Could this role be the opportunity for you to play your part?

Join AWE Security – Protecting What Matters Most

AWE is seeking exceptional leaders to join our Security Team during one of the most exciting and strategically significant periods in both AWE’s and the UK’s history. This is more than a job – it is an opportunity to be part of an organisation delivering work of national importance while helping shape the future of security across a complex and evolving environment.

The Role

As a Security Manager, you will lead people, influence decision-making, and solve complex security challenges in support of critical business operations. You will work collaboratively with stakeholders across AWE to identify risks, develop proportionate security solutions, and ensure effective security governance and assurance.

This role requires an individual who is comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment, taking ownership of outcomes, and leading others to achieve high standards of performance.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading and developing individuals and high-performing teams.
• Identifying, assessing and mitigating security risks across diverse programmes and operations.
• Developing and maintaining security management arrangements, policies, standards and requirements.
• Providing expert security advice to stakeholders across the business.
• Influencing decision-making through clear communication and evidence-based recommendations.
• Driving continuous improvement, innovation and the adoption of best practice.
• Supporting the delivery of security assurance and performance measurement activities.
• Building collaborative relationships across multidisciplinary teams.
• Line management responsibilities may form part of this role.

Who are we looking for?

You may come from a security, project management, engineering, military, regulatory, risk, or other complex operational background. Most importantly, you'll be a motivated leader with a passion for problem-solving and continuous improvement.

You Will Enjoy

• Leading and developing people.
• Solving complex challenges.
• Driving innovation and improvement.
• Collaborating to influence positive outcomes.
• Working in high-stakes environments where the mission matters.

Essential Skills And Experience

• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience identifying, assessing and mitigating risk.
• Knowledge of governance frameworks, standards or management systems.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
• A proactive, resilient and adaptable approach.

Experience We Value

We're particularly interested in candidates with experience in:

• Security planning and operations.
• Defence, national security, nuclear or other highly regulated environments.
• Infrastructure, major programmes or technical projects.
• Engineering, technology or risk management.
• Protecting high-value or sensitive assets.

Experience in Physical, Personnel, Information or Security Risk Management would be advantageous.

What Success Looks Like

You’ll deliver effective security outcomes, support organisational objectives, develop high-performing teams, and maintain robust security governance and assurance.

If you're ready to lead, influence and make a meaningful contribution to national security, we'd like to hear from you.

Work Hard, Be Rewarded

We ask a lot and set the bar high because our work truly matters. In return we offer balance, with award winning benefits including:

• 9-day working fortnight - meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
• Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

Working at AWE page on our website is where you can find full details in the AWE Benefits Guide.

Important Things You Need To Know

• We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
• You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.
• We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
• Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.

Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.