Security Services Manager | The National Gallery

Peridot Partners; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Gallery is seeking a credible Security Services Manager to oversee operational security, technical systems and security at its London site. Reporting to the Fire, Health and Safety Manager, you will manage security partners, maintain specialist infrastructure, and support major capital projects to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for visitors and staff.

The role combines day-to-day operational management with technical expertise, requiring strong stakeholder engagement,

Qualifications

• Proven experience in operational security delivery or supervision in high-footfall environments.
• Strong knowledge of physical and technical security systems.
• Experience in contractor management and monitoring performance against SLAs.
• Ability to conduct audits, risk assessments and manage incidents under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Contract Management: monitor performance of contracted security providers against KPIs.
• Technical Systems: maintain CCTV, access control, intruder alarms and safety systems.
• Compliance & Auditing: conduct physical and personnel security audits to standards.
• Project Support: support retendering of contracts and large capital projects.
• Incident Response: respond to incidents and ensure proper escalation and reporting.
• Strategic Support: assist with maintenance contracts and security manuals.

Skills

Operational security delivery

Contractor management

Audits & risk assessments

Communications

Tools

CCTV systems

Access control

Intruder alarms

Job description

Home / Roles / Security Services Manager | The National Gallery

Security Services Manager The National Gallery

The National Gallery is seeking a credible, proactive Security Services Manager to oversee operational security, technical systems, and security at their iconic site.

• Location: London
• Closing date: Rolling applications

The National Gallery is home to the national collection of paintings in the Western European tradition, spanning the 13th to the 19th centuries. The Gallery’s mission is to ensure people can engage with great art, offering its collection on show 361 days a year, free of charge.

They are seeking a Gallery Security Services Manager to support the delivery of effective and resilient security arrangements. This pivotal role combines day-to-day operational management with technical expertise, providing assurance on physical and personnel security controls. Reporting to the Fire, Health and Safety Manager, within the Operations Department, you will be a key point of contact for security matters, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for visitors, staff, and the collection.

The ideal candidate will be a confident communicator, well-versed in stakeholder management, attentive, service-focused, and demonstrate strong organisational and administrative skills.

Who we are

The National Gallery is a public museum that holds an important collection of pictures for the benefit of all. It tells a coherent story of European painting across seven centuries, existing so that people can engage with great art.

The Gallery was established in 1824 and is ultimately underwritten by Parliament. It currently holds over 2,600 works, including renowned masterpieces such as van Eyck’sArnolfini Portraitand Van Gogh’sSunflowers.

The Gallery’s statutory objectives, set out 25 years ago, involve caring for and adding to the collection, displaying it for the public, advancing scholarship and research, and promoting enjoyment and understanding. It is committed to being a place of learning and enjoyment.

The collection presents all major traditions of Western European painting, from late medieval Italy to the French Impressionists.

The Gallery operates with a commitment to free admission, which must be reaffirmed and developed, welcoming millions of visitors each year from the UK and abroad and from all walks of life.

The Gallery Security Services Manager is a new role that blends security advisory and technical management. You will oversee the performance of our security partners, manage complex technical systems, and support major capital projects.

Key responsibilities and deliverables include:

• Contract Management: Monitoring and managing the performance of contracted security providers against KPIs and contractual requirements.
• Technical Systems: Maintaining specialist security infrastructure, including CCTV, access control, intruder alarms, and personnel safety systems.
• Compliance & Auditing: Conducting physical and personnel security audits and inspections in line with Government and regulatory standards.
• Project Support: Supporting the retendering of contracts and providing security expertise for large-scale capital building projects.
• Incident Response: Responding to incidents, contributing to investigations, and ensuring appropriate escalation and reporting.
• Strategic Support: Assisting the Fire, Health and Safety Manager with maintenance contracts and the development of operational security manuals.

Working Pattern: This role involves a 7-day rotation, including occasional weekends, but does not require night shifts.

Who we are looking for

The National Gallery is seeking a respected and credible professional with strong internal expertise in security. You should be a proactive ‘advisor and auditor’ who can build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders and ensure security runs hand in hand with an excellent visitor experience.

Key Skills:

• Proven experience in operational security delivery or supervision, ideally in a heritage, cultural, or high-footfall public environment (e.g., hospitality, stadiums, or large retail).
• Strong knowledge of physical and technical security systems (CCTV, access control, and integrated technologies).
• Experience in contractor management and monitoring performance against SLAs.
• Ability to conduct audits, risk assessments, and manage incidents under pressure.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to influence partners and manage messaging around security-sensitive topics.

Key Attributes:

• Professional & Calm: Resilient under pressure in a live operational environment.
• Collaborative: A team-oriented mindset with no “ego,” focused on supporting the wider Gallery mission.
• Solutions-Focused: A proactive approach to identifying vulnerabilities and implementing mitigation strategies.
• Attentive: Strong attention to detail regarding standards and compliance.

Thank you so much for your interest in the Security Services Manager role here at the National Gallery. I’m delighted that you’re considering joining us in this important position.

The National Gallery is home to the national collection of paintings in the Western European tradition, spanning the 13th to the 19th centuries. Our collection is on display 361 days a year, free of charge — reflecting our commitment to making art accessible to everyone.

This is a particularly exciting moment in the Gallery’s history. We are expanding the reach and impact of our work, welcoming more visitors than ever before, engaging young people from all backgrounds with the wonders of our collection, using digital platforms to connect with new audiences in the UK and globally, and serving as a cultural resource for the nation and the world.

Our operations department plays a vital role in supporting all of this. As the backbone of the Gallery, the team brings together several critical and regulatory functions and provides efficient, reliable support across departments. We’re looking for someone who can help us grow stronger, work smarter, and make a meaningful impact as part of a dedicated and passionate team. Whether you bring deep experience or a fresh perspective, we’re genuinely excited to learn more about what you could contribute.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be reviewing applications and contacting those selected to move forward in the process. Regardless of the outcome, I want to thank you sincerely for your interest in the role and in the National Gallery.

Wishing you all the very best throughout the process.

Warm regards,

Carole Keltie
Head of Operations

Accessibility information

We understand that different members of the community have different access needs and have made some modifications to the way we do business to accommodate people from diverse communities and abilities.

We offer the following amenities:

• Step-free access to the building, all key meeting rooms and bathrooms, and an accessible workstation
• Accessibility dogs are welcome
• Interviews can be held in meeting rooms that support hearing loops
• Papers and materials can be presented in different formats
• A sign language interpreter can be accessed for interviews
• Working patterns and locations can be adjusted

Recruitment selection processes are based on evidence of competence stated in the person specification and in relation to our values.

Timetable

This is a rolling application recruitment process. We will move to interviews as soon as we receive enough suitable interest and will contact you as soon as possible regarding the next steps. We want to provide everyone with the opportunity to apply.

Peridot and The National Gallery are committed to promoting equality and diversity. To help us raise awareness and support a culture that is diverse and recognises and develops the potential of all, we need to appreciate the profile of candidates who apply for positions. We will send you an equality monitoring survey at the point of receiving your application and at the time of placement. This ensures that our processes remain inclusive and equitable throughout, and provides us with important data to help us showcase our impact.

The information will be treated confidentially and anonymously and will help us to support our commitment to fair recruitment practice. All information provided will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with anyone, in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 launched on 25 May 2018.

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