Security Operations Lead

About the role

Are you ready to revolutionise the world with TEKEVER? At TEKEVER, we lead innovation in Europe as the European leader in unmanned technology, where cutting-edge advancements meet unparalleled innovation. Digital | Defence | Security | Space We operate across four strategic areas, combining artificial intelligence, systems engineering, data science, and aerospace technology to tackle global challenges — from protecting people and critical infrastructure to exploring space. We offer a unique surveillance-as-a-service solution that delivers real-time intelligence, enhancing maritime safety and saving lives. Our products and services support strategic and operational decisions in the most demanding environments — whether at sea, on land, in space, or in cyberspace. Become part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary, and mission-driven team that is transforming maritime surveillance and redefining global safety standards. At TEKEVER, our mission is to provide limitless support through mission-oriented game-changers, delivering the right information at the right time to empower critical decision-making. If you're passionate about technology and eager to shape the future — TEKEVER is the place for you. Mission: We are looking for an experienced Security Operations Lead to join and help build a high-performing, internationally focused security function during a period of significant growth. Reporting directly to the Head of Security, you will lead the day-to-day delivery of security operations across our people, facilities, technology, assets and operational environments. This is a highly visible leadership role. You will be responsible for ensuring that security is professional, proportionate, consistently delivered and aligned to the needs of the business, while supporting the organisation’s ability to operate and grow internationally. The role will have particular responsibility for the operational security of our sites and facilities, security personnel and guarding arrangements, security systems, major events, executive activity, supply chain protection and operational readiness for defence and government requirements. You will work closely with the Head of Security, Cyber Security, IT, Facilities, HR, Legal, Operations and senior business leaders, as well as external security providers, government bodies and law-enforcement partners. ⸻ Key Responsibilities 1. Security Operations Leadership • Lead the day-to-day delivery of security operations across the organisation. • Establish / Write clear operational standards, policy, procedure, accountabilities and performance measures. • Develop and maintain security operating procedures, post orders, escalation arrangements and incident response playbooks. • Act as a senior operational deputy to the Head of Security when required. • Lead the security response to significant incidents, emergencies and operational deployments. • Develop a consistent operating model across UK and international locations. • Ensure security operations remain scalable as the organisation grows. • Continually identify opportunities to improve operational effectiveness, capability and service delivery. 2. Security Workforce & Guarding Operations • Lead and develop the security operations workforce, including directly employed personnel and contracted security providers. • Establish the appropriate balance between in-house capability and specialist external provision. • Set clear standards for recruitment, training, competence, conduct and professional development. • Manage guarding contracts and ensure suppliers deliver against agreed KPIs, SLAs and contractual requirements. • Ensure consistent standards across security teams, including appearance, conduct, customer service, reporting and escalation. • Build a strong team culture based on professionalism, accountability and continuous improvement. • Ensure security personnel are appropriately trained and competent to operate within secure and controlled environments. 3. Physical & Site Security • Lead the operational security of offices, manufacturing facilities, operational locations and sensitive sites. • Establish appropriate access control, perimeter protection, patrol, search, visitor management and control-room arrangements. • Ensure security requirements are incorporated into new facilities and major construction projects from the outset. • Work with Facilities, Estates and Workplace teams to embed security by design. • Ensure appropriate protective measures are implemented for sensitive, high-value or strategically important locations. • Establish consistent physical security standards across the organisation while allowing for local operational requirements. 4. Security Technology & Systems • Define operational requirements for physical security technology, including: • CCTV and video management systems • Electronic access control • Intrusion detection • Visitor management • Alarm and monitoring systems • Security communications and control-room technology • Ensure security technology is reliable, appropriately maintained and fit for purpose. • Work closely with IT and Cyber Security to ensure security systems are appropriately connected, protected and governed. • Support the integration of physical security technology with wider security monitoring and incident-management capabilities. • Ensure technology suppliers are appropriately selected, managed and held accountable. • Maintain appropriate availability, maintenance and lifecycle arrangements for critical security systems. 5. Defence, Government & High-Assurance Security • Lead the operational delivery of security arrangements across secure and controlled defence environments. • Ensure sites, personnel, information, equipment and activities operate in accordance with applicable UK defence, government and customer security requirements. • Establish and maintain effective security arrangements for restricted, controlled and sensitive areas, including access control, guarding, visitor management, incident response and physical protection. • Support the organisation’s delivery of security requirements associated with government and defence contracts and programmes. • Work closely with the Head of Security and relevant security authorities to ensure appropriate standards are maintained across secure locations. • Support security inspections, audits, assurance activity and customer or government reviews. • Ensure security personnel understand and consistently apply the specific operating requirements of secure and controlled environments. • Maintain operational readiness to respond to changing government, defence and customer security requirements. 6. Supply Chain & Asset Protection • Develop effective security arrangements for the movement, storage and protection of high-value equipment, products and assets. • Work with Procurement, Operations, Logistics and suppliers to identify and address security vulnerabilities. • Establish appropriate chain-of-custody, anti-tamper, transportation and loss-prevention measures. • Support security requirements for manufacturing, logistics and international operations. • Ensure security expectations are clearly established for critical third parties and suppliers. 7. Threat, Intelligence & Incident Management • Work with the wider Security function to translate threat intelligence into practical operational measures. • Ensure security teams understand the threat environment relevant to their locations and activities. • Lead operational security responses to significant incidents. • Establish effective escalation and reporting arrangements. • Work with Cyber Security, Intelligence, HR, Legal and other functions on incidents involving multiple security disciplines. • Ensure lessons identified from incidents are converted into practical improvements. • Maintain effective incident reporting and management processes across all operational locations. 8. Major Events & Executive Security • Lead security planning for major corporate events, exhibitions, demonstrations, customer visits and international engagements. • Develop appropriate security plans for executives, VIPs and other high-profile visitors. • Coordinate internal security teams, contracted security, venue security, emergency services and other partners. • Ensure appropriate contingency and emergency arrangements are established for significant events. • Support the Head of Security in protecting senior executives when required. 9. External Relationships Build and maintain effective professional relationships with: • Police and law-enforcement agencies • Counter-terrorism and security partners • Emergency services • Government and defence security authorities • Landlords and facilities providers • Security service providers • Key customers and strategic partners Represent the organisation professionally during security incidents, investigations, audits and official engagements. 10. Leadership & Stakeholder Management • Become a trusted security partner to senior leaders and business functions. • Provide clear, concise and practical advice. • Challenge constructively where security requirements are not being met. • Balance security requirements with operational and commercial realities. • Build strong relationships across Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, IT, Cyber Security, HR, Legal, Finance, Procurement and Facilities. • Promote a culture where security is viewed as an enabler of growth and operational excellence, rather than simply a control function. ⸻ Candidate Profile We are looking for an experienced security leader who combines strong operational credibility with excellent leadership and stakeholder skills. Essential Experience • Significant experience leading security operations within a complex organisation, ideally within defence, aerospace, technology, manufacturing, government or another high-assurance environment. • Proven experience managing physical security operations across multiple locations. • Experience leading both internal security personnel and contracted security providers. • Experience establishing security operating models, procedures, standards and performance measures. • Experience managing security technology such as access control, CCTV/VMS, intrusion detection and visitor-management systems. • Experience operating security functions within defence, aerospace, government or other high-assurance environments. • Proven experience managing security operations across secure, controlled or sensitive sites. • Understanding of the security requirements associated with UK defence and government contracts. • Experience working with government customers, security authorities or equivalent external assurance bodies. • Experience managing security incidents and providing calm, effective leadership under pressure. • Experience working with facilities, construction or workplace teams to deliver security requirements. • Experience managing security suppliers, contracts, budgets and performance. • Strong understanding of threat intelligence and its application to operational security. • Experience supporting major events, executive activity or high-profile customer engagements. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. • Ability to obtain and maintain relevant security clearances where required. Desirable Experience • Previous military, law-enforcement, government or intelligence experience. • Experience working within the UK defence sector. • Experience working within secure or controlled defence facilities. • Experience with classified or highly sensitive programmes. • Experience operating across international locations. • Experience with security control rooms, monitoring operations or security operations centres. • Professional security qualification such as CPP, PSP or equivalent. • Familiarity with r…