Assistant Security Manager

Salary: £35,608 to £37,694 with progression to £46,049 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 30 March 2026

The Role

We are a team of security professionals and between us we will carry out foot patrols covering our 50-acre campus and 100+ buildings across Newcastle City Centre, supporting students, colleagues and visitors as needed and ensuring our spaces are kept safe. We have developed an interactive map showing the areas we cover and patrol and to give you some insight into the full breadth of the University campus https://www.ncl.ac.uk/students/campus_map/

Our Security Team play a pivotal role in ensuring that our students, visitors and colleagues have a safe and enjoyable experience on campus. You will have the opportunity for development, and we will fund your SIA licence. We promote a diverse culture, and our Security Team are role models with exceptional customer service and professional approaches.

We are looking for people who can:

Oversee response to situations on campus in a calm and professional manner.

Liaise with all stakeholders to lead change within the Newcastle University's Security culture.

Demonstrate strong leadership, mentorship and customer service skills.

Support a diverse student population from a wide range of cultural backgrounds.

You will lead the day-to-day operational management of the Estate Security Service, ensuring standards are maintained to protect University buildings and property and to provide a safe, secure environment for staff, students and visitors. Ensure all security teams deliver a consistent, effective level of service across the University, including Accommodation and Hospitality Service tenanted sites, in accordance with Service Level Agreements. Work closely with the Head of Security to identify security threats and develop practical, proportionate solutions. Research, draft and document security policies and procedures as required.

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus, the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you. Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution. We are committed to being a fully inclusive University which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our University and student population.

Please reach out to Paul Harris at paul.harris3@newcastle.ac.uk for a chat about the role.

Successful pppointment to this vaccny will be subject to DVLA driving license check and health surveillance.

Key Accountabilities

Operational leadership and strategy

• Act as Deputy Head of Security: Stand in for the Head of Security, lead day‑to‑day operations, and contribute to strategic planning, risk assessment, and crime‑prevention initiatives to protect people and assets
• Drive operational change: Lead change management for security operations, translating strategy into implementable plans, monitoring progress, and ensuring changes deliver agreed benefits and efficiencies

Team management and performance

• Manage security supervisors: Provide robust, progressive line management for Security Team Leaders, including performance reviews, coaching, rota planning, and resource allocation to deliver a reliable, cost‑effective service
• Enforce standards and discipline: Apply HR policies and procedures to maintain professional standards, manage conduct and capability issues, and promote a culture of accountability

Investigations, intelligence and reporting

• Conduct investigations: Lead investigations into crime, security incidents and disciplinary matters; compile clear, evidence‑based reports and recommendations for internal or external action
• Analyse trends and intelligence: Collate and analyse data from all security teams to identify patterns, recommend preventative measures, and inform operational and strategic decisions

Technical systems and asset management

• Manage University car parking enforcement: Oversee the car parking operation to enhance effectiveness regarding enforcement in liaison with University colleagues and third party provision
• Manage CCTV and recording systems: Oversee the University CCTV and Body Worn Video systems, ensuring lawful, consistent operation in line with the CCTV Code of Practice and operating instructions
• Maintain technical resources: Manage all operational technical assets (including radios, cameras, and other devices), coordinate repairs and damage analysis, and ensure devices receive timely security and feature updates
• Licence and compliance management: Maintain statutory and regulatory requirements, including annual renewal of security radio licences and other compliance obligations

Training, events and major incident support

• Deliver technical training: Organise and deliver training for staff on the operation of security systems and devices to maintain competence and safe use
• Support major events and investigations: Provide technical and operational support for major events, oversee evidence capture and chain of custody, and liaise with investigators as required

Stakeholder engagement and representation

• Liaise with external partners: Maintain effective relationships with emergency services, external agencies, and service providers to coordinate responses and share intelligence
• Represent the service: Represent the Security Team at high‑level internal and external meetings, forums and promotional activities (including SafeZone campaigns) to increase awareness and uptake

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

• Extensive legal knowledge: Demonstrable understanding of relevant law and guidance, including identification of offences, powers of arrest, Data Protection Act, Human Rights, health & safety, and University policies
• Security systems expertise: Practical experience of modern security technologies, including CCTV, digital recording, intruder alarms and body‑worn video, with proven ability to manage and administer these systems
• Operational security theory: Working knowledge of contemporary security theories and their practical application to risk reduction and crime prevention
• Regulatory and procedural awareness: Clear understanding of security industry legislation, standard operating procedures and best practice
• Communication skills: Good standard of education with strong written and verbal English; able to produce clear reports, briefings and guidance
• Training experience: Proven experience designing and delivering training to operational teams on security systems, procedures or legislation
• Driving entitlement: Hold a full, current UK manual driving licence

Attributes and Behaviour

• Collaborative policy development: Experience working closely with senior managers to research, draft and implement security policies and operating instructions
• Effective time and workload management: Able to prioritise, plan and delegate tasks to meet operational demands and deadlines
• Continuous improvement mindset: Proactive in identifying service improvements and delivering cost‑effective solutions aligned to departmental and University strategy
• Sound judgement and decision making: Confident making high‑impact decisions, often with limited information, grounded in legislation and University policy
• Situational awareness and resilience: Able to assess incidents quickly (including from telephone briefings), remain calm under pressure and take appropriate, proportionate action
• Professional integrity: Maintains confidentiality, acts impartially, and models high standards of conduct

Qualifications

• Management qualification: Hold a Level 5 managerial qualification or commit to achieving one within 18 months of appointment

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 29133