Head of Security

Head of Security

Full-time 41 hours per week

Monday - Friday with occasional weekend and Bank Holiday as required

On-site in Bloomsbury, London - occasional work from home
Permanent contract

£58,162 per annum

Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on 29 April 2026.

About the role

As Head of Security, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and leading the British Museum's Security strategy at a defining moment in our history. We are looking for a highly skilled, driven leader who can guide the organisation through some of the most exciting developments we have ever undertaken.
You will oversee the full physical security function across our global scale estate, safeguarding our people, collections, buildings, and assets while ensuring that security is seamlessly integrated into an exceptional visitor experience. With responsibility for a 24/7 operation, you will strengthen our security culture, continuously develop our systems, and ensure we remain resilient and responsive as we evolve.

Key areas of responsibility

You are an accomplished security professional with extensive experience operating in complex, high footfall environments. Ambitious and forward thinking, you thrive on leading major change and have the confidence and authority to set security direction at a strategic level.
You bring deep expertise in physical security, threat and risk management, crisis response, and operational excellence. Equally, you are a collaborative communicator who can influence at all levels and inspire a large, diverse team to deliver high performance. You understand how to balance robust protection with outstanding visitor experience; at one of the UK's most popular visitor attractions.

About you:

• Lead and evolve the Museum's physical security strategy, systems, and standards across a 24/7 operation.
• Act as the organisation's primary security expert, assessing threats, advising on major programmes and events, and developing risk reduction plans.
• Inspire and develop a team of around 120 security professionals, ensuring high quality training, strong leadership, and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain trusted partnerships with internal stakeholders and external security bodies, law enforcement, and sector networks.
• Oversee incident management, crisis planning, and the effectiveness of technical security systems, ensuring robust compliance, reporting, and operational performance.

Benefits

At the British Museum, we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do. That's why we've designed a benefits package that goes beyond the ordinary. Our full list of benefits can be found here, but we've outlined some highlights below:

• Free exhibition entry for you and guests, exclusive private views, ICOM and reciprocal museum access.
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays and 2.5 privilege days (and +5 days after 10 years).
• Discounts at onsite catering, Museum shops and local Bloomsbury partners.
• Social and wellbeing perks including Staff parties, social clubs, CSSC sports and leisure, and support from the Civil Service Retirement Fellowship.
• Peer support and allyship with five diversity networks for community.
• Learning and development through courses, mentoring and Athena as well as support for professional qualifications.
• Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7 for counselling, wellbeing support and more.
• Eyecare vouchers for VDU tests and contributions toward glasses.
• Enhanced parental leave including maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave.
• Support for carers through Employers for Carers.
• Civil Service Pension Scheme with a secure, inflation linked defined benefit.
• Interest free loans including season ticket, rental deposit and bicycle loans.

Our Values

Our values drive everything we do, from how we handle our objects to how we work in our team to fostering a culture where everyone feels heard and empowered:

• Care Deeply
• Embrace the Unknown
• Spark Curiosity
• Value Many Voices

These are a core part of how we recruit. Throughout the application, interview and selection process, we look for examples of how candidates demonstrate these behaviours in their own work and experiences. We encourage you to familiarise yourself with our values and reflect them in your application.

Additional details

If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details

We may be able to provide visa sponsorship for this role, subject to meeting eligibility requirements. You can find out more about these here.