Security and Public Safety Discipline Lead

The Security & Public Safety Discipline Director provides strategic, commercial, operational, technical and people leadership for the UK+ Security & Public Safety Consulting Discipline. The role is accountable for sustainable growth, profitability, technical quality, client success and the development of a capable, collaborative and resilient team aligned with Buro Happold’s business objectives and values.

The role represents the discipline internally and externally, builds market presence, maintains high standards of professional practice and ensures that immediate commercial priorities are balanced with long-term capability, succession and service development.

This is both an operational and strategic role. The discipline exists as a part of a range of technical disciplines which together create the Specialists Consulting group. The discipline itself needs to operate profitably and within an atmosphere of mutual support and personal development which we would expect the Discipline Leader to encourage and implement. The Discipline Leader would seek to grow the capability of the team as a response to the growing demands of our clients.

Beyond the discipline we would look to the Discipline Leader to work with other technical disciplines and Project Principals to create new commercial opportunities for Buro Happold through collaborations between teams. Specifically, we would seek a leader of this group who can  nurture a world class leading Security consultancy and continue developing our offer at a global level within the firm collaborating with façade leaders in other regions.

Ultimately, the Discipline Leader will provide leadership to individuals and team, as well as the UK Security group as a whole. The Discipline Leader will demonstrate commitment to leadership, commercial performance, technical innovation and work winning as well as stretching boundaries of the service offer.

Core accountabilities

Strategy and growth

Develop and maintain the discipline delivery plan, aligned with business unit, regional and corporate objectives.

Define short-, medium- and long-term growth priorities, including emerging markets, new services and strategic opportunities.

Establish and communicate a clear direction for the discipline, supporting constructive change and continuous improvement.

Represent the discipline in internal leadership forums and through selected external industry, client and professional networks.

Commercial performance and finance

Accountable for commercial performance, including revenue, gross margin, operating profit, profitability, utilisation, revenue per head, budget performance and overhead expenditure.

Lead annual business planning, budgeting, forecasting and performance review with relevant regional and finance leadership.

Maintain clear visibility of pipeline, conversion, opportunities, risks and operational efficiency, taking action where performance requires improvement.

Ensure project portfolios under the role holder’s leadership are commercially successful, risk-managed and appropriately reported.

Clients, work winning and market development

Develop and maintain strategic client relationships both internally and externally, supporting key accounts, repeat business and direct-to-client commissions.

Sponsor major pursuits, framework opportunities, proposals, submissions and interviews where senior discipline leadership is required.

Work with technical and business development colleagues to convert high-quality opportunities aligned with Buro Happold’s strategy and values.

Contribute to market development through publications, speaking engagements and participation in professional forums where appropriate.

Technical leadership, quality and governance

Provide senior technical…