Group Physical Security Manager

EirGrid; Leinster; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

EirGrid is seeking a Group Physical Security Manager to lead the enterprise security strategy, governance and risk management for Ireland’s critical infrastructure. Reporting to senior leadership, you will guide secure operations across assets, data centres and events, coordinating with government agencies and partners.

You will drive security programmes, manage budgets and lead a high-performing team to protect people, assets and continuity of operations in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years' experience in progressive physical security leadership roles within critical infrastructure or regulated environments.
• Experience delivering enterprise-wide security programmes and governance frameworks.
• Strong engagement with executive leadership, regulators and law enforcement.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead EirGrid's enterprise physical security strategy and governance.
• Oversee CCTV, access control, alarms, perimeter protection and visitor management.
• Lead security programmes for critical assets and high-profile events.
• Manage security incidents, investigations and stakeholder communications.
• Oversee third-party security providers and contracts.
• Drive risk assessments, audits and continuous improvement.

Skills

Enterprise security leadership

Security governance

Stakeholder engagement

Security risk management

Budget management

Tools

CCTV systems

Access control

Intrusion detection

Perimeter protection

Security management systems

Job description

Group Physical Security Manager (E2026445)

We are at the heart of Ireland’s energy transition - connecting, operating and transforming the electricity grid to support a low carbon, renewable future.

We are building talented teams across our organisation to transform Ireland’s electricity system for generations to come.

We are proud to be a certified Great Place to Work, recognised for our culture built on trust, collaboration and inclusion. At EirGrid you will find supportive teams, opportunities to grow and meaningful work. We also offer secure employment with a range of flexible and family friendly working policies to support your life and wellbeing. If you want to know more about what EirGrid has to offer you, visit Life at EirGrid .

If you are ready to make an impact and grow your career in a purpose-led organisation,your journey starts here.

The Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Physical Security professional to join the management team of one of the most critical infrastructures in Ireland.

Reporting into senior leadership, you will provide specialist strategic support for the development, implementation, and continuous enhancement of EirGrid's physical security programme, ensuring the protection of critical assets, personnel, facilities, operational technology environments, and national infrastructure.

As the organisation's subject matter expert for physical security, you will lead the strategic direction, governance, legal & risk management frameworks, and operational delivery of security programmes across corporate offices, data centres, critical operational assets & hubs, and significant events. The role requires close engagement with executive leadership, government agencies, law enforcement, regulators, and external security partners to ensure EirGrid maintains industry-leading security standards.

This role offers the opportunity to influence security strategy at an enterprise level while leading a high-performing security function responsible for safeguarding assets that are essential to Ireland's economic and social wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities

Security Governance & Leadershp

• Support the development and lead EirGrid's enterprise physical security strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives, risk appetite, and critical infrastructure protection requirements.
• Provide specialist advice and recommendations to senior management on matters relating to physical security, resilience, threat management, and asset protection.
• Develop, implement and maintain security governance frameworks, standards, policies, and procedures that support business operations and regulatory obligations.
• Drive a culture of security awareness, accountability, and continuous improvement across the organisation.
• Lead the delivery of long-term security investment plans, business cases, and security transformation initiatives.

Security Operations & Critical Infrastructure Protection

• Manage and oversee physical security operations across EirGrid's estate, including CCTV, access control, alarm monitoring, perimeter protection, and visitor management systems.
• Ensure the protection of critical infrastructure assets, operational control centres, data centres, corporate workplaces, and other strategically important facilities.
• Lead the planning and delivery of physical security arrangements for high-profile corporate, governmental, and international events.
• Lead and co-ordinate the response to significant security incidents, threats, and investigations, ensuring timely resolution and effective stakeholder communication.
• Oversee third-party security providers and contractors, ensuring service excellence and compliance with organisational standards.
• Manage and continuously enhance the physical security risk management framework, ensuring ongoing assessment of threats, vulnerabilities, and emerging security risks.
• Deliver enterprise-wide physical security risk assessments, penetration testing programmes, vulnerability reviews, and security audits.
• Develop and implement mitigation strategies that enhance organisational resilience and reduce operational risk.
• Ensure compliance with recognised security standards, regulatory requirements, and critical infrastructure protection obligations.
• Maintain oversight of security assurance activities and provide regular reporting to senior leadership on security posture, risks, and improvement initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement, People Leadership & External Liaison

• Build and maintain relationships with An Garda Síochána, state security agencies, regulators, government departments, and industry partners.
• Represent EirGrid in national security forums, industry working groups, and external stakeholder engagements.
• Provide expert guidance and influence organisational decision-making relating to security, resilience, and operational continuity.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders across Operational Technology, IT, Facilities, Risk, Legal, and Executive Leadership teams to ensure an integrated approach to security.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing security team, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and professional development.
• Provide leadership across security projects and programmes, ensuring successful delivery of business objectives.
• Manage and optimise security budgets, ensuring effective allocation of resources and delivery of value-driven investment decisions.
• Drive continuous improvement through the adoption of emerging technologies, industry best practices, and innovative security solutions.

About You

• A minimum of 10 years' experience in progressive physical security leadership roles within critical infrastructure, corporate, government, military, law enforcement, or similarly regulated environmentss.
• Flexibility to be onsite at least 4 years per week.
• Proven experience delivering enterprise-wide physical security programmes, strategies, and operations within complex organisations.
• Expertise in physical security technologies, including CCTV, access control, intrusion detection, perimeter protection, and integrated security management systems.
• Demonstrated success in protecting high-security environments such as critical national infrastructure, operational technology environments, secure facilities, data centres, or strategic corporate campuses.
• Strong track record in leading complex risk assessments, investigations, security audits, and security transformation programmes.
• Experience developing security policies, standards, governance frameworks, and risk management methodologies at an organisational level.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills with proven ability to engage and influence executive leadership, regulators, government agencies, and law enforcement bodies.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including experience managing significant security budgets and capital investment programmes.
• Excellent leadership capabilities with experience building and developing high-performing teams.
• Ability to obtain and maintain the highest levels of national security vetting.

Closing date for applications

11/09/2026
Please note we receive a high volume of applications, and as every application is carefully reviewed our response time may vary. If you agree to be considered for other roles this may result in a delayed response as we establish the best fit for your experience. We appreciate your patience.

We're dedicated to diversity and inclusion at EirGrid. We recognise the strength that comes from having a diverse workforce and the importance of a supportive culture for all our people to achieve their potential. Our diversity and inclusion networks have been designed to create an inclusive culture that enables our people to feel a sense of belonging at work.

As an equal opportunities’ employer, we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. Reasonable accommodations are offered at every stage of our recruitment process.