Security Services Group (SSG) - Deputy Head Operations Director

Job summary

Security Services Group (SSG) is the MOD’s Technical Authority for electronic and physical security providing in-house expert advice, design, installation and maintenance of electronic and physical security systems across Government, prioritised towards Secret and Above Secret, and items Attractive to Criminal and Terrorist Organisations (ACTO). SSG is part of GUARDIAN and is positioned within Standing Joint Command to support UK homeland security and resilience.

With an FTE of 325, SSG provides technical specialist ‘consultancy’ advice to projects to support the creation of design specifications through to commissioning; project management and delivery with through life maintenance; strategic and tactical compliance assurance reviews and audits across the business; an assured government use only Intruder Detection System built in-house; and security furniture services. Head of SSG is also the MOD’s Head of Specialism for Physical Security across the MOD (part of the Government Security Profession).

SSG’s Operational Delivery teams are the MOD’s specialist in-house security providers, delivering project management, design, installation and 24/7, 365 days a year maintenance of all aspects of electronic and physical security, with a global reach. SSG’s work is independently audited to ensure, ISO 9001:2015 and NSI compliance and accreditation as well as MOD’s own internal compliance regime. To learn more about SSG, visit Security Services Group - GOV.UK

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

As Head SSG’s lead for operations and delivery you will be responsible for setting strategy for delivering SSG Operations output, Resource Balancing, Policies and Contract Management across multiple functional areas on behalf of Head SSG. You will be the operational delivery policy implementation lead as it relates to delivery of the business, for example working hours, overtime policy, assurance and governance. You are Head SSG’s Advisor for all areas of operational responsibilities responsibility and will represent SSG across a broad functional network at MOD Civil Servant Head and Deputy Head level along with equivalent military grades. You will be required to engage widely across the Security and Infrastructure stakeholder at both Operational, Deputy Head, 1/2* level as well as brief up to Standing Joint Command (SJC) group, wider TLB and Ministerial level as and when required.

As a member of SSG Senior Leadership Team, you will be a key part of the team implementing SSG’s Vision 30 Program and for developing and improving SSG functions within your business area as it relates to People, Technology and Engagement themes. You will provide the SSG ExCo with assurance of your business responsibilities through the calling to account process and ensure SSG ExCo is fully briefed on key risks and opportunities.

You will have an advanced knowledge of Security Services Group protective systems. JSP 440, JSP 850 and wider Government electronic and physical security standards.

Leadership and Management

• Provide leadership for the team/function. Deliver direction, development and support the team, enabling them to deliver departmental goals.
• Maintain and raise standards across all aspects of SSG operational delivery.
• Manage own workload to contribute to SSG outputs.
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative and proactive working environment.
• Promote strong working relationships within the Operations Management team and with other teams across SJC, MOD and OGD.
• Promote a strong working relationship with senior levels of management within the MOD and wider Gov estate.
• Provide leadership for stakeholder management and analysis activities for team/function.
• Leading and engaging with important and influential internal and external stakeholders and negotiating key outcomes in support of SSG Operational delivery and future development.
• Primary point of contact for elevation of Ops Delivery issues.
• Provide line management, direction and support to the following:
  • Grade 7 – Southeast and Eastern Region
  • Grade 7 – DNE and Southwest Region
  • Grade 7 – S&NI and Central Region
  • Grade 7 – Overseas, Physical Security and Security Furniture

Operations

• Direct and have a technical input into project design and direction together with ensuring compliance with JSP 440 and wider Government electronic and physical security standards.
• To liaise with SSG Operations Managers in the authorisations process of new projects in respect of financial, technical and resource implications to the business within delegated business limits.
• Oversee the delivery of projects across all regional areas of the business both in the UK and Overseas.
• Chair the Operations Board with Grade7 Operations Manager to manage the direction, output and oversight of all regional areas of the business both in the UK and Overseas.
• Will be called upon to liaise directly with customers’ senior management levels to understand and interpret their requirements from a financial and technical perspective.
• To sit on both Health and Safety (H&S) and Quality Assurance (QA) boards, providing an Operational perspective both in relation to H&S delivery policies and QA policies and procedures.
• Financial Reviews, to work in close co-operation with SSG’s finance department. You will work with SSG Finance and Commercial leads to manage the regular finance and performance reviews and become jointly accountable for SSG’s overall delivery.
• To focus operations requirements into the business continuity and strategic workforce planning cycles, taking into account SSG’s complex activities across the UK and overseas.

Line Management

• On behalf of Head SSG deliver visible and effective strategic leadership of over 100+Crown Servants, across multiple SSG Operational Areas, with SC & DV clearances, delivering across multiple functions to contribute to a business with turnover of c£30M+
• Provide additional line management, direction and support to the following: 4 x Grade 7 Operations Managers
• A key challenge will be the delivery of support to SSG locations and staff that are geographically dispersed through the UK and overseas, providing a 24/7 response to a critical capability.

Clearance

Please note, due to the level of security, applications are only accepted from sole UK nationals only.

Location

Location can be flexible within reason; other SSG-parented locations are acceptable (subject to line manager agreement and site availability/capacity).

Person specification

Essential Skills, Experience, Qualifications, Memberships & Licences

• 3 years’ experience in delivery of electronic security.
• Management of Operational delivery teams specifically Industrial/Technical/Project Management staff
• Experience of high level interactions with both Commercial and Financial departments
• Full UK Driving Licence – post holder is required to travel within the UK and overseas to locations not accessible by public transpo