Thames Barrier and Associated Gates Senior Security Team Leader

Thames Barrier and Associated Gates Senior Security Team Leader - 36091

Join the local operations team responsible for protecting and operating one of the UK's most iconic and strategically important pieces of National Infrastructure. This role provides a unique opportunity to shape the security and resilience of the Thames Tidal Defences (TTD), including the world-renowned Thames Barrier, helping safeguard millions of people, homes, businesses and nationally significant assets across London and the Thames Estuary.

As the senior security lead for Thames Tidal Defences, you will provide strategic oversight of security risk across a diverse portfolio of operational sites and assets. You will oversee day‑to‑day security arrangements, ensuring effective management of physical access, personnel security, information security and the wider security culture. Working across operational, engineering and corporate functions, you will influence decisions at all levels and provide assurance that security risks are appropriately identified, assessed and managed.

You will maintain a strategic view of the threat landscape and lead engagement with key national security partners including the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Counter Terrorism Security Advisors (CTSA) and relevant government departments. You will approve threat response postures, oversee prioritised security improvement programmes and ensure security risks are escalated appropriately.

The role is responsible for setting local vetting standards, supporting complex personnel and protective security decisions, and maintaining long‑term maintenance and capital investment plans for physical and electronic security systems. Working closely with Corporate Security and Critical National Infrastructure security specialists, you will help shape the future security strategy for TTD, ensuring alignment with national policy, emerging threats and industry best practice.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a tangible difference at the heart of a nationally significant operation where security, resilience and public safety are critical to everything we do.

The team The Thames Tidal Defences Department manages the iconic Thames Barrier and its associated gates, protecting 125 km² of London from tidal flooding. This vital system safeguards 1.51 million people, 743,000 properties, and £401 billion of infrastructure. Behind this protection is a dedicated team of asset managers, engineers, forecasters, and security professionals, working together to ensure resilience, reliability, and rapid response across one of the UK’s most important flood defence networks.

We are seeking candidates with a minimum of 5 years experience in security, protective security, risk management or critical infrastructure environments.

A strong understanding of physical, personnel, cyber/operational technology and supply chain security.

Experience in conducting security risk assessments and threat‑informed security planning.

A proven ability to lead, influence and build trusted partnerships across multiple stakeholders.

Strong communication and engagement skills, with experience of driving business and cultural change.

The ability to make informed decisions in complex and sensitive environments.

A willingness and ability to achieve Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance.

You will be based at the Thames Barrier, working primarily on site with some opportunities for home‑based working.

Incident response is a key part of our work, and all team members are expected to undertake an incident role, with full training provided. Standby payments and overtime are available where applicable. Once competent to undertake an operational duty role at TTD, you will also receive a Critical National Infrastructure allowance of £3,000 per year. In addition, an Inner London Weighting allowance of £4,406 per annum applies.

We offer an excellent benefits package, including flexible working arrangements, 27 days annual leave, and membership of our award‑winning Pension Fund.

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