Assistant Director (Security)

National Library Board (NLB); Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

National Library Board (NLB) in Singapore seeks a strategic leader to shape and drive physical security across its facilities. The role focuses on building a future-ready security program, aligning with government requirements and leveraging technology to enhance situational awareness and efficiency.

The successful candidate will lead strategic initiatives, oversee governance and policies, and collaborate with senior management, agencies and partners to elevate the organisation's security

Qualifications

• 5+ years in physical security, security management or related fields.
• Experience in leading security strategy and governance.
• Strong written and verbal communication for senior management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and drive medium- to long-term physical security strategy and roadmap.
• Lead risk-based security planning and mitigation across premises.
• Govern policy standards and governance aligned with government requirements.
• Identify and evaluate new security technologies and operating models.
• Drive security transformation through automation, analytics and data.
• Provide input into facilities planning with security considerations.
• Plan security infrastructure, access control and surveillance upgrades.
• Establish assurance, audit and performance frameworks for security controls.
• Oversee major incidents and translate lessons into improvements.
• Manage security investment plans and procurement governance.
• Engage with government agencies and industry partners.

Skills

Security strategy

Risk assessment

Policy development

Governance

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Security technologies

Job description

[What the role is]

The National Library Board (NLB) nurtures Readers for Life, Learning Communities and a Knowledgeable Nation by promoting reading, learning and history through our network of 28 libraries across Singapore, the National Library and the National Archives of Singapore.

At NLB, you can look forward to a flexible, hybrid work environment with rewarding, impactful deliverables that improve the lives of the community. With caring colleagues, you will be in an ideal environment for professional development, innovation and impact.

We can offer you:

• A chance to Impact the Community, bridge gaps and empower everyone with the opportunity for learning and discovery.
• An opportunity to Innovate and Push Boundaries. We value ideas, curiosity and a passion for innovation to transform our libraries and archives.
• An organisation that Ignites your Growth and Wellbeing through investment in staff development and wellbeing in a supportive and collaborative environment.

This position resides within the Properties & Facilities Management (PFM) Division and provides strategic leadership for the physical security function across NLB.

The appointed jobholder will be responsible for shaping and driving NLB's physical security strategy and long-term capability development. The role will anticipate emerging security threats, vulnerabilities and changes in the operating environment, and translate these into appropriate security strategies, policies, capability roadmaps and investment plans.

The successful candidate will provide strategic oversight and governance of NLB's physical security framework, infrastructure, systems and operations, ensuring that security measures remain effective, proportionate and future-ready. The jobholder will also lead the transformation and continuous improvement of NLB's security capabilities through technology, data, process redesign and new operating models.

The role will work closely with senior management, internal stakeholders, relevant government agencies, industry partners and service providers to strengthen NLB's overall physical security posture.

[What you will be working on]

• Security Strategy and Future Planning – Develop and drive NLB's medium- to long-term physical security strategy and capability roadmap, taking into consideration emerging threats, changes in NLB's operating environment, evolving security requirements and technological developments.
• Security Risk and Threat Assessment – Establish a risk-based approach towards physical security planning. Assess emerging threats, vulnerabilities and security risks across NLB's premises and translate these into longer-term mitigation strategies and capability requirements.
• Security Governance and Policy – Lead the development and review of NLB's physical security policies, standards and governance framework, ensuring consistency across NLB premises and alignment with applicable Whole-of-Government, sectoral and organisational requirements.
• Future Security Capabilities – Identify and evaluate emerging security technologies, solutions and operating models and determine their applicability to NLB. Develop plans for the progressive renewal, enhancement and integration of NLB's security systems and infrastructure.
• Security Transformation – Drive transformation of the security function through greater use of technology, automation, analytics and data to enhance situational awareness, operational effectiveness and productivity.
• Security-by-Design – Provide strategic security input into the planning and development of new NLB facilities and major upgrading projects, ensuring that physical security risks and requirements are considered early in the design and planning process.
• Security Infrastructure and Systems Planning – Establish longer-term plans for NLB's physical security infrastructure and systems, including access control, surveillance and other security technologies, to ensure their continued effectiveness, interoperability, scalability and sustainability.
• Security Assurance and Performance – Establish appropriate assurance, audit and performance frameworks to assess the effectiveness of NLB's physical security controls and identify areas for systemic improvement.
• Major Security Incidents – Provide senior-level oversight and guidance for significant security incidents and ensure that lessons learnt are translated into improvements to policies, systems, infrastructure and operating procedures.
• Strategic Resource and Investment Planning – Develop and prioritise security investment plans, budgets and funding requirements based on organisational risks, operational requirements, asset lifecycle considerations and longer-term security priorities.
• Strategic Procurement and Contract Governance – Provide strategic oversight of major security procurements and contracts, including the development of sourcing strategies, performance frameworks and longer-term contracting models that support NLB's security objectives.
• Stakeholder and Agency Engagement – Build and maintain strong relationships with relevant government agencies, internal stakeholders, industry partners and security service providers to facilitate information sharing, benchmarking and adoption of relevant security practices.
• Security Capability Development – Strengthen the professional capabilities of the security function through competency development, knowledge management, benchmarking and adoption of industry good practices.
• Leadership and Advisory – Lead the security function and provide professional advice to senior management on significant physical security risks, emerging threats, security strategies and future capability requirements.

[What we are looking for]

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in physical security, security management, security risk management or related fields, with experience in a leadership capacity.
• Strong experience in security strategy, risk assessment, policy development, governance and longer-term security capability planning.
• Good understanding of the physical security threat landscape and emerging developments in security technologies and operating models.
• Experience in developing or managing security strategies and systems for large, complex or multi-site organisations would be advantageous.
• Experience in security planning for new developments or major infrastructure projects would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of government security requirements, procurement policies and governance frameworks would be advantageous.
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to anticipate emerging risks and translate them into practical security strategies, capability plans and investment priorities.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management and influencing skills, including the ability to engage senior management and work effectively across organisational boundaries.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex security risks and recommendations clearly to senior management.
• Forward-looking, resourceful and able to operate effective in a complex and evolving security environment.

The successful applicant will be appointed on a 2-year contract in the first instance.