Head of Security Operations

If you’d like to be considered for this opportunity we encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment as if applications are high the role will close before the closing date given.

Head of Security Operations

Closing date: 1st August 2026

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.

Package: £95,000 – £110,000 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience) + 10% Bonus

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.

Let us introduce the role

Lead. Protect. Influence. Transform. Are you a security leader who thrives in complex, high-consequence environments? Do you have the vision, energy and credibility to shape the future of security operations within one of the UK's most important organisations?

We're seeking a Head of Security Operations to lead the strategic and operational delivery of security across a highly regulated and mission-critical environment. This is far more than a traditional security leadership role. It is an opportunity to influence organisational culture, shape future capability, and ensure the protection of nationally important assets while supporting a clear and meaningful purpose.

You'll inherit a capable team and a complex security landscape, but you'll also have the autonomy and support to challenge convention, drive positive change, and create a modern, intelligence-led security function fit for the future.

As Head of Security Operations, you will provide strategic leadership for operational security activities, ensuring risks are understood, managed and mitigated effectively across multiple sites and facilities. You'll work at the forefront of security risk management, helping to translate government policy, emerging threat intelligence and organisational requirements into practical, proportionate solutions that enable all units in our business, while maintaining the highest standards of security assurance. Working closely with senior leaders, government stakeholders and operational teams, you will play a pivotal role in maturing how we measure security performance and risks, developing security culture, strengthening insider threat mitigation, and driving continuous improvement across the organisation.

Why This Role?

This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of a security function that genuinely matters to the UK.

You'll be joining an organisation with a clear mission, working alongside talented people who are passionate about what they do. You'll have the chance to shape strategy, influence culture, develop future capability and leave a lasting legacy in a role where your contribution will be seen, valued and impactful.

If you're ready to lead security at scale, drive meaningful change and make a difference where it truly counts, we'd love to hear from you.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Leading and developing the operational security function, creating a high-performing, engaged and future-focused team.

• Shaping security strategy and ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and risk appetite.

• Interpreting and applying MOD security policy and other relevant standards across a complex operational environment.

• Directing security risk assessment, mitigation planning and assurance activities.

• Authoring and continuously improving security policies, processes and standards.

• Providing security leadership for major programmes and projects, ensuring security requirements are effectively embedded from the outset.

• Leading security investigations and supporting insider threat management activities in partnership with HR, government agencies and senior stakeholders.

• Championing a strong security culture and fostering shared ownership of security across the organisation.

• Representing security at executive and senior leadership forums.

• Overseeing operational training activities and ensuring future capability requirements are understood and delivered.

• Managing budgets, resources and business reporting to ensure efficient and cost-effective delivery.

What you’ll need to be considered:

You'll be an accomplished people leader with a strong track record of delivering operational security within a highly regulated, complex or critical environment.

You will likely bring:

• A degree in a security-related discipline (or equivalent experience).

• Membership of a recognised professional body such as The Security Institute, Nuclear Institute, CIIS, ISACA, or World Institute for Nuclear Security (WINS).

• Significant experience leading operational security within Defence, Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) or similarly complex environments.

• Strong experience in security risk management, insider threat mitigation and security culture development.

• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders and executive teams.

• A passion for building capable, engaged and high-performing teams.

• The vision and determination to modernise and evolve security operations for the future.

Some reasons we think you’ll love it here:

AWE has wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• 9-day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.

• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).

• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.

• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.

• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.

• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).

• Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.

• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.

Hybrid working is available for this role on an informal, non-contractual basis. Due to the classified nature of the role, there will need for this hire to be on site (Aldermaston) regularly.

Next steps:

Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.

Important things you need to know:

• We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
• You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. 
• We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
• Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.

Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.