Head of Professional Capability
Description
- Job grade: Grade 7
- Contract type: Permanent
- Business area: Martyn's Law - Inspections & Enforcement
- Type of role: Security, Senior leadership
- Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time
- Number of jobs available: 1
Location
About the job
Job summary
The SIA is an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Home Office, set up in 2004 to regulate certain activities in the private security industry. Currently, we employ nearly 400 members of staff. We are operationally independent of government.
We are now preparing to take on new responsibilities as the regulator of Martyn’s Law - named after Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people who tragically died on 22 May 2017 in the terrorist attack on Manchester Arena. Martyn’s Law, introduced by the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, is intended to improve protective security and preparedness at premises and events across the UK.
The new Act will require premises in scope to be prepared to keep people safe in the event of an attack. Certain larger premises and events will also need to take steps to reduce their vulnerability to acts of terrorism.
Martyn’s Law is primarily a civil, regulatory regime. We will regulate supportively and proportionately but robustly. The SIA will have new guidance, investigatory and inspection functions and a range of new powers and sanctions. Our new Martyn’s Law functions will sit alongside and complement our existing responsibility for regulating the private security industry.
Job description
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is seeking a strategic and influential Head of Professional Capability to play a pivotal role in the delivery of Martyn’s Law regulation. This is a unique opportunity to help establish and lead the protective security profession within a new and high-profile regulatory function, driving improvements that will strengthen public safety and preparedness across the UK.
Reporting to the Deputy Director of Martyn’s Law Inspections and Enforcement, you will provide expert leadership on protective security and counter terrorism measures, ensuring regulatory activity is informed by the latest threats, standards and best practice. As the SIA’s principal subject matter expert, you will lead a team of specialist professionals and develop the capability, standards and frameworks that underpin effective regulation.
A key focus of the role will be designing and embedding professional development pathways for assessors, inspectors and protective security specialists. You will establish competency frameworks, accreditation standards and a comprehensive continuing professional development programme that ensures our people remain equipped to respond to an evolving threat landscape.
Working closely with senior leaders, government departments, policing and counter terrorism partners, regulators and industry stakeholders, you will build trusted relationships and provide expert advice that informs inspection strategies, regulatory decisions and organisational priorities.
This role will suit a confident and credible leader with significant experience in protective security, a recognised qualification in Counter Terrorism Security Management (GCGI Level 6 or equivalent), and a track record of developing high-performing teams. You will be passionate about professional excellence, capable of influencing at senior levels, and motivated by the opportunity to make a lasting impact on public safety.
If you are looking for a career-defining opportunity to help shape a new regulatory regime, influence national protective security standards and lead a specialist profession at the heart of Martyn’s Law, we would love to hear from you.
Person specification
Essential
- Senior leader with experience at or near Head of Function level in comparable organisations (government, private or public sectors).
- Significant experience in protective security.
- Qualified in Counter Terrorism Security Management to GCGI Level 6 or an equivalent qualification.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and advise on organisational strategy.
- Inspirational and visible people leader, with strong people leadership skills, the ability to influence and form strong working relationships and gain the respect and confidence of seniors, peers and colleagues.
- Proven record of building and developing high preforming professional teams committed to continuous improvement, delivering excellent results and outcomes, and showing accountability when things do not go well or as planned.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, a team player with integrity, good self-awareness, able to work under own initiative with drive and at pace, resilient under pressure and responds calmly and objectively to internal and external challenges and scrutiny.
- Experience of designing and implementing competency frameworks, professional standards, training, learning and CPD within a protective security or regulatory environment.
- Experience of interpreting security requirements and applying them in complex environments.
- Experience of producing technical guidance on protective security measures.
- Experience of engaging with senior stakeholders and external partners as a subject matter expert.
- Detailed knowledge of:
- Physical, personnel and operational security
- Protective security risk management
- Counter terrorism protective security measures
- Security governance and assurance
- Authoritative guidance produced by government departments and protective security partners.
- Excellent analytical and judgment skills.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, able to build effective and enduring relationships at senior levels with a range of stakeholders and partners and act with credibility at senior levels internally and externally.
- Demonstrate excellent understanding of operational risk and prioritisation.
Desirable
- Experience of manging the coordination of work across teams and contributing to the delivery of shared objectives within a collaborative environment.
- A flexible attitude to working hours with the ability to adapt to changing demands.
Benefits
- A welcoming and innovative work environment.
- Continued support and development opportunities.
- Access to training for attainment of recognised qualifications.
- Flexible working arrangements.
- Annual leave entitlement will be 27.5 days, rising by one additional day for every two years of service up to a maximum of 32.5 days.
- A variety of discounts including Gymflex.
- Civil Service Pension Scheme – employee contribution between 4.60% and 7.35% and employer contribution between 26.60% and 30.30%.
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Selection process details
The SIA does not use Success Profiles - please disregard any information below in relation to this.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and 500-word personal statement. Further details around guidance for this is listed on the application form. If you fail to submit all aspects of the application before the deadline of 23:55 on 16th November 2026, your application will be withdrawn.
Please use your personal statement (in no more than 500 words) to outline why you believe you would be an ideal candidate for this role. Please highlight your relevant skills, experience and achievements that align with the essential job requirements.
To help us assess your suitability for the role, please complete the CV incorporated into the application form by providing as much information as possible about your previous work experience and achievements.
Should we receive a large number of applications, they will be sifted on personal statement only.
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Interview details will be provided to successful candidates prior to their interview taking place.
Sift and Interview Process:
Sift will take place from 17th November.
Interviews will be held on during week commencing 30th November.
Interviews will be held on MS Teams.
Further Information
A reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for a maximum of 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Visa sponsorship
We do not sponsor individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas.
If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring documentation for the purposes of establishing your identity.
You will need to meet the nationality requirements for this role and obtain the necessary security clearance to take it up.
For meaningful security checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time.
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government Recruitment Service via sia.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
- Complete the “Assistance Required” section in the “Additional Requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a language service professional
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
Criminal Record Check
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct.
If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
National Security vetting
Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : SIA Recruitment Team
- Email : sia.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : SIA.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
Attachments
| Head of Professional Capability JD Opens in new window (pdf, 200kB) |
| MLR Candidate Briefing Pack v2 Opens in new window (pdf, 2485kB) |
| 2025-11-17 Pre-employment Checking - Document Requirements (V17) Opens in new window (pdf, 231kB) |
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