Security Systems Lead

Thames Water Utilities Limited; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water and wastewater provider in the UK is seeking a Security Systems Lead to oversee electronic security systems in their Alarm Monitoring Centre. This hybrid role offers a salary between £55,000 and £70,000, plus a car allowance and generous benefits. The ideal candidate will have expertise in security systems and strong communication skills. Join a company dedicated to making a positive impact on communities and the environment.

Benefits

Car Allowance £5,800

Annual Leave - 26 days per year

Contributory pension - Maximum of 12%

Personal Medical Assessments

Wider benefits scheme

Qualifications

• Experience with maintaining and installing electronic security systems.
• Experience in designing and applying physical security measures.
• Ability to demonstrate understanding of technical requirements in VSS and access control.

Responsibilities

• Own and develop the head-end configuration as an SME.
• Ensure the third-party contractor provides fit-for-purpose alarm configurations.
• Support continuous improvement activity and deliver security KPIs.

Skills

Expert in electronic security systems

Strong understanding of physical security principles

Head-end experience

Strong negotiation and people influencing skills

Tools

Genetec

Lenel

Job description

Job title Security Systems Lead Ref 41181 Division Asset Operations & Capital Delivery Location Hybrid - Kemble Court - RG2 6AD Contract type Permanent Full/Part-time Full-time Hours 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday Salary Offering between £55,000 to £70,000 per annum depending on experience and skills. Job grade C Closing date 17/10/2025

As the Security Systems Lead, you will predominantly work within our Alarm Monitoring Centre (AMC), which continuously monitors the security of our estate. The AMC is connected to remote sites through multi-face communications to CCTV, IDS, Electronic access control to Radio pad systems, ADSL line, etc.

The Security Systems Lead will be focused on ensuring that the electronic systems feeding into and within the AMC are fit for purpose, compliant with regulations and ultimately enable the AMC to carry out its core function of identifying serious crime/terrorist threat and initiating a Police response at any time of day or night. You will develop a strong understanding and become our expert in our head-end system, owning and developing its configuration, ensuring it meets AMC's needs as end users.

You will identify how any changes might impact the efficiency of the AMC team, as well as ensure our operations and products are future-proofed through horizon scanning, industry knowledge and adoption of innovative technologies.

What you will be doing as a Security Systems Lead

• Own and develop the head-end configuration as SME, as the systems are improved, providing advice and guidance to the direct team while acting as an ‘intelligent client’ for the OT/ESS teams.
• In-depth knowledge of VSS, intruder detection, access control systems, and other security technologies, with the ability to specify, design, and evaluate these systems.
• Ensure that the third-party contractor is providing a fit-for-purpose alarm configuration to support the activity of the AMC team.
• Responsible for ensuring maps and schematics are incorporated, updated and maintained (e.g. incorporating project upgrades) within our systems.
• Support any planned system upgrades, specifically Lenel and Genetec and development of the AMC strategy.
• Support the AMC upgrade project, to ensure successful delivery of ESS systems, acting as the client, setting expectations and requirements for ESS/OT to deliver against.
• In collaboration with the ESS/OT team, oversee maintenance requests to ensure any outstanding tickets are chased to completion, ensuring the functionality of the AMC is maintained.
• Support continuous improvement activity, reviewing AMC Operation to identify and deliver operational and process improvements.
• In collaboration with the ESS/OT team, ensure that the AMC has the right level of system resilience.
• Responsible for delivering agreed security KPIs and adhering to agreed SLAs.
• Promote a security-conscious culture within Thames Water.

The base location for this role will be Kemble Court, Reading, on a Hybrid basis.

Hours of work are 36 hours a week, Monday to Friday.

What you should bring to the role

To thrive in this role, the essential criteria you’ll need are:

• Expert in Electronic security systems - protective security, intelligence, security management, or risk management.
• Strong understanding of physical security principles, methodology and processes.
• Head-end experience, including both maintenance and installation experience of electronic security systems.
• Experience of working in and developing Alarm receiving centre systems, understanding the full project lifecycle, i.e. RIBA process from cradle to grave. Have experience in the design and application of physical & personnel security measures. Applying physical security principles, methodology and processes. Including the NPSA principles of Deter, Detect, Delay, Mitigate and Respond as part of a layered protective security design.
• Have experience in the design and application of physical & personnel security measures and the ability to demonstrate an understanding of technical requirements in areas such as VSS, intruder detection and access control.
• Experience in delivering security-related projects and supporting change management programmes, incorporating planning skills to drive cost reduction & performance improvement.
• Strong understanding of security principles, practices, and technologies.
• Strong negotiation and people influencing skills. Ability to communicate at all levels, present to an audience and build strong relationships.

The desirable criteria you’ll need are:

• Good working knowledge of Genetec and Lenel systems.

The successful candidate will be required to undertake a Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) before starting in this role.

What’s in it for you?

• Offering between £55,000 to £70,000 per annum, depending on experience and skills.
• Car Allowance of £5,800 per annum.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (Plus bank holidays)
• Contributory pension – Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% -2x employee contribution.
• Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year.
• Wider benefits scheme, including our benefits hub, which is packed full of offers and information to save you money and support your well-being.

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process . If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here tohelp and support .

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.