Navy Command - Personal Security Manager

Job summary

At Navy Command, we lead, support, and sustain the Royal Navy across every theatre of operations. We coordinate the people, platforms, and missions that keep the Fleet ready for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities. Together, we uphold centuries of naval tradition while driving innovation that ensures the Royal Navy’s readiness to protect our nation and secure our future.

As the authority for the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarine capability, the Submarine Directorate oversees one of the most complex and critical elements of UK defence. Covering everything from in‑service management to long‑term fleet modernisation, the directorate ensures the Submarine Flotilla remains safe, reliable, and ready to meet national security requirements.

You'll be based at HMNB Devonport, the largest naval base in Western Europe and a powerhouse of Royal Navy capability. It is home to amphibious ships, survey squadrons, submarines, and two-thirds of the frigate force. With its unique nuclear refitting facility, Devonport ensures the Fleet remains ready to support operations worldwide.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

Are you ready to lead the frontline of security in a complex, high‑profile environment where your decisions directly protect people, assets and national capability?

We’re looking for a dynamic and experienced leader to drive personnel security across a large, multi‑stakeholder site. This is a unique opportunity to shape and deliver a comprehensive security function, bringing together counter‑intelligence, vetting, investigations, and security culture, while working with a wide network of internal teams, industry partners, and external agencies.

• Lead and develop a specialist security team, delivering a broad personnel security function including counter‑intelligence, vetting, investigations, and awareness activity.
• Integrate and align security capability across the entire site, working with partners and stakeholders to ensure a consistent, effective and joined‑up approach.
• Act as the primary point of contact for security incidents (WARP), providing expert advice, overseeing investigations, and ensuring effective resolution and organisational learning.
• Analyse security data and trends, including Security Incident Reporting Forms (SIRFs), and develop proactive mitigation plans to reduce risk and strengthen resilience.
• Take ownership of complex and sensitive vetting decisions, ensuring outcomes are robust, proportionate, and aligned with policy, legal requirements and organisational standards.
• Drive a strong security culture, developing tools, reporting mechanisms, and awareness initiatives that improve understanding, accountability and behaviour across the workforce.

Person specification

• Proven experience leading teams within a security, risk, intelligence or investigative environment.

• Demonstrable ability to work across multiple stakeholders, building partnerships and influencing at all levels.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex security issues into clear guidance for a wide audience.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Acquiring And Developing Specialist Knowledge in Security Management - IOP 1.2 Building On Specialist Security Knowledge – Awareness (IOP 1.1 - 1.3)
• Delivering Specialist Skills In Protective Security - IOP 2.2 Security Investigation – Practitioner (IOP 2.1 - 2.3)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,040, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,337 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Market-leading employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Personal & professional development
• Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Access to a confidential, professional support service
• Discount schemes
• Bicycle / season-ticket loans
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Special paid leave to volunteer (up to 6 days a year)

HMNB Devonport is a bustling base packed with opportunities to make the most of your working day. Travel is made simple through internal and external bus services. The Wyvern Centre offers an outstanding suite of sports and recreation amenities, including a 24hour gym, swimming pool, fitness classes, boxing gym, squash and tennis courts, and cricket nets. Enjoy convenient onsite retail at the DRAKE Village Shop (with Greggs and Costa), relax at the Waterfront Café, and make use of childcare and chaplaincy services. Excellent transport links provide easy access to the wider city and beyond.

In Navy Command we believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you’ll be supported through your learning journey and your career. This can include working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role.

You’ll have access to a variety of qualifications pathways ranging from GCSE/A-Level equivalent all the way up to master’s degree, depending on your role, your previous skills and your experience. Some qualifications even include “on-the-job” training which means minimal disruption to your working day but maximum impact.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

The post does not offer relocation expenses. External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment pol