Senior Lead Licensing Operations

Job summary

The SIA is the organisation responsible for the regulation of private security. It is an independent, arm’s length body (ALB) of the Home Office, reporting to the Home Secretary, under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA’s purpose is protecting the public through effective regulation of the private security industry and working with partners to raise standards across the sector. Its regulatory remit covers the whole of the United Kingdom.

The SIA has two main duties: the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities within the private security industry and the management of a voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme, which measures private security suppliers against independently assessed criteria.

SIA licensing covers security operatives who are in guarding, door supervision, close protection, cash and valuables in transit, and public space surveillance using CCTV, vehicle immobilisation (in Northern Ireland) and key holding. Licensing ensures that private security operatives are fit and proper persons who are properly trained and qualified to do their job.

Job description

What you will be doing:

• In conjunction with the Deputy Director of Licensing & Service Delivery (L&SD), oversee the SIA’s licensing and decisions functions and all aspects of customer support.

• Deputise for the DD of L&SD at team meetings, senior management meetings (including when required to engage as part of the SIA Senior Leadership Team), project boards and workshops, conferences and events.

• Lead and initiate projects aimed at improving operational processes across L&SD teams and developing a more comprehensive understanding of customer behaviours.

• Oversee analysis of licensing performance and customer contact, identifying and implementing process and system improvements, and supporting a more informed, strategic approach towards workforce planning.

• Champion a culture of continuous improvement across the function, leading operational change initiatives from idea to implementation.

• In conjunction with the DD of L&SD, lead and oversee the:

- smooth running of the licensing and decision-making processes in line with agreed service levels and performance targets.

- continued development and smooth running of the “front office” inbound customer contact service in line with agreed service levels and performance targets.

- continued development of the business support team, responsible for building relationships with private security businesses and providing support with licensing matters, and improvements to the end-to-end licensing process.

• Coordinate L&SD operational budget oversight for the DD of L&SD.

• In conjunction with the DD of L&SD, lead the engagement with industry stakeholders for the Special Interest Group for Front Line Licence Holders as part of the SIA’s stakeholder strategy, and develop and maintain strategic level relationships with key stakeholders across the Private Security Industry and Government.

• Coordinate for the DD of L&SD the function’s contributions to the annual business planning cycle, promoting operational requirements and capabilities and ensuring the function’s deliverables and commitments are on track.

• Ensure robust operational risk management is in place, with mitigations as deemed necessary.

• Build, maintain and operate assurance processes and functions to maintain integrity of processes and outcomes across the function and as appropriate, the wider directorate.

• Any other duties as directed, commensurate with the knowledge, skills and experience of the role holder.

Person specification

Essential

• Ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams to deliver excellent results and achieve desired outcomes.

• Experience of successfully delivering projects that drive operational improvements.

• Experience of developing and operating customer contact operations and of optimising customer journeys (end-to-end processes) to remove defect, inefficiencies and increase effectiveness.

• Experience of developing and operating a business area focused on processing applications, including complex decision making / case work.

• Experience of risk management, using intelligence and other information to support decision making and targeting further activities.

• Experience of managing and deploying resources to meet peaks and troughs in activity.

• Experience of developing and maintaining relationships with third parties including service providers, information providers and enforcement partners.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the Private Security Industry and regulation.

• Experience of working with or in a public sector organisation.

• Experience of CRM, Case Management and Decision Support systems.

• Experience of working with DBS, HMPS, HMRC or similar organisations.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £64,951, Security Industry Authority contributes £18,816 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).

• A welcoming and innovative work environment.

• Continued support and development opportunities.

• Access to training for attainment of recognised qualifications.

• Flexible working arrangements.

• Annual leave entitlement will be 27.5 days, rising by one additional day for every two years of service up to a maximum of 32.5 days.

• A variety of discounts including Gymflex.

• Civil Service Pension Scheme – employee contribution between 4.60% and 7.35% and employer contribution between 26.60% and 30.30%.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Ability and Experience.

The SIA does not use Success Profiles - please disregard any information below in relation to this.

After submission of the first stage of your application, you will be invited to complete an online Civil Service Judgement Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.

Please complete the online test as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended). The closing date for the test is 23:55 on 26th August 2026. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline, your application will be withdrawn. Note that after passing the test,