Global Head of Physical Security

Colt Data Centre Services; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - GBP 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global data center provider in Greater London seeks a Head of Physical Security to lead security strategy and governance across its facilities. The role involves working with various stakeholders to ensure compliance with security regulations and standards, conducting risk assessments, and managing a high-performing team. Candidates should possess significant experience in high-security construction projects, understand UK and European security frameworks, and have strong leadership skills.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in leading security in large construction projects.
• Understanding UK and European security standards and regulatory frameworks.
• Ability to travel internationally as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic delivery and governance of physical security.
• Conduct threat and risk assessments for security design.
• Manage and oversee physical security controls across facilities.

Skills

Leadership

Security design principles

Stakeholder management

Risk mitigation strategies

Microsoft Office skills

Education

Professional project management qualifications

Security qualifications

Job description

A key part of our Security & Resilience team, the Head of Physical Security will lead the strategic delivery and governance of physical security across the organisation. This role is critical to ensure that DCS facilities are secure by design and throughout their lifecycle, complying with statutory and regulatory security requirements, and international industry standards to ensure resilience to changing risks.

The purpose of this role is to drive the identification, selection, implementation, continual improvement and governance of standards relating to the physical security aspects of design, construction and operation of Colt DCS datacentres worldwide. Your input will be essential to ensure that DCS’ physical security standards comply with critical national infrastructure obligations, as well as our customers’ requirements whilst considering value, risk and compliance with national and local planning requirements.

Job Description

Strategic Leadership

• Work with stakeholders to develop and maintain the physical security aspects of Colt DCS’ Global Reference Design (GRD), ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and client requirements.
• Lead enterprise-wide threat and risk assessments to inform security design and operational planning.
• Ensure Colt DCS physical security alignment with current and emerging national legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Governance and oversight of the design and implementation of physical security controls across DCS.

Project Integration

• Collaborate with design, engineering, and construction teams to embed security principles into facility design and build phases.
• Ensure physical security measures meet regulatory, contractual, and operational standards.
• Provide SME input to construction programme/project milestones and decision points, ensuring an appropriate cost/risk balance.
• Provide security SME approval, identifying areas of risk, prior to project delivery.
• Provide SME guidance for Lifecycle Projects relating to active facilities.

Stakeholder Engagement

Internal Stakeholders

• Work closely with Senior Leadership to align security strategy with business objectives.
• Collaborate with Design & Engineering Teams to ensure security is integrated from concept to delivery.
• Coordinate with Project Management to support secure delivery of global projects.
• Partner with Technology teams to ensure convergence of physical and digital security.
• Liaise with Legal & Compliance to ensure adherence to regulatory and contractual obligations.
• Support HR and Facilities in workplace security and incident response.

External Stakeholders

• Act as the primary security liaison for customers, investors, and critical infrastructure sectors.
• Engage with security consultants, integrators, and contractors involved in project delivery.
• Coordinate with law enforcement and intelligence agencies as required for threat intelligence and incident coordination.
• Interface with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with UK and international security standards (e.g., NPSA, NIST, NIS2).
• Work with third-party auditors and certification bodies during inspections and assessments.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure adherence to UK and international security regulations and standards.
• Specialist oversight of construction and lifecycle projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identification of Key Performance Indicators and reporting to demonstrate effective implementation of security requirements.

Team Leadership

• Build and manage a high-performing security team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and resilience.

The skills and experience you would bring

• At least 10 years’ experience in leading the design and implementation of security requirements in large, high security construction projects.
• Detailed understanding of security design principles, protective technologies and risk mitigation strategies.
• Experience working in defence, government or critical infrastructure environments.
• Knowledge and understanding UK and European security standards and regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent leadership, communications and stakeholder management skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally as required.
• Competence with Microsoft office tools (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint) to prepare and deliver high quality presentation material for internal and external client facing use.

Qualifications

Professional project management and security qualifications desirable but not essential.

Job Segment

Compliance, Project Manager, Facilities, Corporate Security, Law, Legal, Technology, Operations, Security