Security Operations Manager

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

“Together We Rise”
It’s great to know you’re making a difference to the future of aviation! Whatever part you play you’ll be helping us deliver operational excellence to our customers. Based at our Luton manufacturing plant you’ll do just that. Established in 1993, GKN Aerospace in Luton is a world leader in commercial and military ice protection systems and transparencies. Offering a full range of capabilities; design, analysis, testing, certification and manufacture of electro-thermal ice protection, military fast jet canopies and flight deck windows to over 20 programmes including: Boeing 787, Dreamliner, Airbus A320, AgustaWestland, AW101, Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed, Martin F-22 Raptor. Our customers include Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopters, Textron, BAE Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Leonardo. Our Luton site is home to 370+ employees and onsite facilities including onsite parking, food hub and vending machines.
 
As Security Operations Manager you’ll be based at our Luton Manufacturing site reporting to the Luton Site Leader with a dotted line to the GKN Aerospace Head of Security. The primary focus is to manage the operational delivery of the Security risk management programme at GKNA’s Luton facility (with oversight of GKNA’s sites at Cowes, Isle of Wight), thereby ensuring the GKNA Defence Business Line complies fully with the UK MOD regulatory, security requirements. You’ll be responsible for ensuring the implementation of the necessary security processes and controls in order to ensure compliance at the Luton facility, to effectively protect its People, Property, Assets, Information and Reputation and to provide advice, guidance and oversight to GKNA’s other UK Defence programmes.

Secondary responsibilities (30%) will extend across the remaining Defence Business Line sites (primarily USA based facilities) as the Defence Business Line Security Lead. You’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the security landscape of our wider Defence Business Line providing subject matter advice, guidance and support in all aspects of Security Risk Management including Threat and Intelligence analysis; Personnel Security; Physical Security; Technical security; Information Security; Travel Security Risk Management, Crisis Resilience and Response and Training.

The successful incumbent will need to be flexible for limited ad-hoc travel, nationally and internationally. Core operational hours at our Luton site are: 07:30  - 16:30 Monday to Thursday & 07:30 - 12:30 Friday. 
 

Job Responsibilities

Primary Focus: Security Operations Manager, Luton

•    Manage the full implementation of UK MOD regulatory requirements to ensure compliance with Industry Personnel Security Assurance (IPSA), Facility Security Clearance (FSC), and relevant UK DEFCON standards.
•    Liaise with UK Defence Programme Leads and HR Business Partners to ensure Personnel Security requirements are met.
•    Build close working relationships with the Contracting Authority (CA) and other government bodies (e.g., DE&S, NPSA).
•    Assess Security Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Risks (including emerging risks) through the TVRA process to deploy effective risk mitigation strategies and controls.
•    Evaluate the effectiveness of existing controls, identify gaps, and develop Security Improvement programmes.
•    Manage third-party security provision, including Guard Force management and security system providers.
•    Oversee site-level Crisis Management and response procedures.
•    Conduct Security Investigations.
•    Deliver Security Training and Awareness programmes – embedding the Security Essentials Programme.
•    Provide Subject Matter Expertise and oversight to other GKNA UK Defence sites (e.g., Cowes) to achieve FSC status and IPSA compliance.
 
Secondary Focus: Business Line Security Lead

•    Provide expert advice, guidance, and support to senior Business Line and Site Leadership teams.
•    Oversee the implementation of GKNA security governance across all global Defence sites to ensure compliance with regulatory, legal, and contractual obligations.
•    Support Site Security Managers in developing and implementing risk mitigation plans, physical and technical security solutions, and improvement programmes.
•    Manage the Business Line Crisis Management process, including the development and maintenance of the Business Line Crisis Management Plan and delivery of training and exercises.
•    Ensure security incidents are reported, analysed, and investigated in collaboration with Site Security Managers.
•    Conduct Security Investigations in support of the Business Line Leadership Team.
•    Establish relationships with government regulatory bodies, Contracting Authorities, Law Enforcement agencies, industry forums, and associations.
•    Develop and maintain close working relationships with key internal stakeholders, including the Head of Security, Security Operations Managers, Site Security Managers, Site Directors, Business Line COO/Representative, IT cyber team, Export Control, and Procurement.
•    Oversee the delivery of security education and awareness training programmes across the Defence Business Line.
 

How You'll Contribute

To help us make a difference, you’ll bring your passion and talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:
Essential:
•    UK National with 5+ years residency; capable of obtaining SC clearance.
•    Demonstrable experience as a multi-site Security Manager 
•    Strong understanding and experience of UK Government Security policy and requirements, including IPSA and FSC.
•    Experience in a large matrix organisation.
•    Knowledge of Threat, Vulnerability, and Risk Assessment (TVRA) methodologies.
•    Experience developing site security plans, processes, and procedures.
•    In-depth knowledge of physical and technical security controls.
•    Strong understanding of Information Security risks and controls.
•    Experience managing international travel risk management plans.
•    Ability to drive change and prioritise work-streams.
•    Experience working with operations and programme functions on pragmatic security solutions.
•    Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Desirable:

•    Academic Security Qualification (BSc/MSc).
•    SIA Qualification.
•    Background in military, police, or government services.
•    Corporate security experience, especially in manufacturing or aerospace.
•    Understanding of secure IT and data handling regulations.
•    Budgetary management experience.

What We'll Offer

Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:
•    Competitive salary dependent on experience
•    The opportunity to earn up to 22.5% bonus
•    Annual car allowance £5,500
•    Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
•    Life Assurance 8 x salary
•    185 hours holiday + bank holidays
•    Income protection
•    Shopping discounts
•    Cycle To Work Scheme
•    Employee Assistance Programme
•    Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family
•    Free onsite parking 
•    Local gym discount 
•    50% off local travel card 
•    Free airport Dart
•    Free airport parking 
•    Enhanced family friendly leave
•    A collaborative, dynamic working environment 

Join us and keep the world moving … click on the link below to apply

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We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further.  And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN.  We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute.  It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’.  By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology. ​
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