Head of Security

Vacancy Reference: CLA- 418

Position: Full-time

Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK

Salary: Competitive

At Callen-Lenz, we are expanding the limits of what is possible. We specialise in crewed and uncrewed aircraft operations and technology and having recently received investment into the business we are going through a period of rapid growth and development and are looking for key roles to assist with these changes. Callen-Lenz offers innovative and customer-focused UAS solutions through our 4 key business strands: technical services, products, platforms and operational services. We are looking for individuals to help drive forward our expansion, placing you at forefront of UAS development in the UK.

Our Values

• Innovation

• Integrity

• Collaboration

• Excellence

Why Work for Us

Based in the heart of rural Wiltshire, close to the Historic city of Salisbury you will join our rapidly growing, friendly and multi-disciplined team, working on a range of diverse and interesting projects, leading the way in this exciting field and witnessing the full lifecycle of our products. The Callen-Lenz team are passionate about what we do, and we are searching for individuals to grow with us as we expand into the aerospace industry.

Our benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave per year (plus bank holidays)

• Buy/Sell holiday policy up to 5 days either way

• Pension Scheme via Royal London

• Company contributed Share Incentive Plan.

• Green Car Scheme

• Life assurance scheme (6x basic salary)

• Income protection policy (75% of basic salary)

• Private Health Insurance via Bupa

• Private Dental insurance via Bupa

• Enhanced Maternity and paternity

• 1 Professional membership reimbursed per year

• 1 paid volunteering day per year

• Access to an independent financial advisor year round

• Training & development opportunities

About the role

As the Head of Security, you will be the senior leader responsible for shaping, implementing, and overseeing Callen-Lenz’s security strategy. You will be ensuring the protection of people, assets, property, information, and operations across all environments. You will also be responsible for advising the Senior Leadership Team on all security matters and managing the security risks. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker who can balance long‑term risk management with day‑to‑day operational leadership.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and direct implementation of a comprehensive security strategy aligned with Callen-Lenz’s organisational objectives, global security strategy and best practises.

• Lead the security function across physical security, risk management, and incident response ensuring oversight of cyber risk mitigations.

• Advise Callen-Lenz’s leadership on emerging threats, regulatory requirements, and risk posture.

• Lead the Callen-Lenz team’s engagement with BAES Security, ensuring alignment and to contribute to the ‘One FalconWorks’ security team.

Risk & Compliance:

• Conduct regular risk assessments and implement mitigation plans.

• Identify security threats and risks and develop mitigation strategies for the business area in accordance with the organisation´s security and risk management framework.

• Based on intelligence and analysis of security threats and risks, provide timely advice on the operating environment to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to enable well informed business decisions.

• Oversee internal and external security audits.

Operational Security Management:

• Manage physical security systems, access control, surveillance, and site protection.

• Establish and maintain business continuity and disaster recovery plans.

Team Leadership & Culture:

• Lead, motivate and mentor a diverse functional team, setting objectives, reviewing performance and participating in selection/promotion decisions to ensure that staff have the necessary skills and understanding to deliver objectives.

• Lead the development of the security culture in the business area by raising security awareness among employees and management and role modelling the BAE values and desired behaviours.

• Partner with HR, IT, Legal, and Operations to embed security into Callen-Lenz policy and processes.

Incident Response & Crisis Management:

• Lead the response to security incidents or breaches.

• Support the Callen-Lenz SLT to manage security incidents and emergencies.

• Coordinate with FW/BAE Systems security staff, Wiltshire Police, Counter Terrorism Police and Public Order Policing teams.

• In coordination with BAE’s Security, coordinate with regulators and external partners when required.

• Conduct post‑incident reviews and drive continuous improvement.

• Lead on business continuity and scenario testing for incident response for the business area.

Stakeholder Management:

• Manage relationships with external security providers and oversee procurement and implementation of security technologies and services.

• Communicate security priorities and updates to internal stakeholders at all levels.

• Perform other related duties as required.

Health & Safety

• Demonstrate in daily activities a commitment to health and safety in the workplace by always ensuring tasks are performed in the safest possible manner.

• Report all hazards and incidents that the individual is party to, or observes, in the correct manner.

• When required or directed, participate in any health and safety training.

Skills and Experience

Qualifications:

Experience with and knowledge of UK HMG and MoD security regulations would be advantageous for this role.

Essential:

• Strong stakeholder management skills with a track record of communicating at senior leadership level across multiple businesses and home markets.

• Ability for pragmatic decision making / ability to work with the business and find cost effective solutions and risk mitigation.

• Has an influence and impact on business decisions, making a significant contribution to development of policy & approach.

• Proven problem solving (forward, lateral thinking) credentials in relation to complex issues.

• The ability to apply skills and knowledge to a range of problems and issues. Draws upon past or previous experience and makes judgements to resolve problems for scenarios that may not be covered by standard procedures.

• Builds strong relationships with appropriate contacts by finding common ground and delivers excellent customer service.

• Strong customer focus and the ability to build relationships internally and externally.

• People and resource management skills – identifying what needs to be achieved by the team and how this affects the project and other teams.

• History of making evaluative judgments of both factual and qualitative information drawn from a variety of sources.

• Ability to translate Business Strategy into action to creating winning solutions and output for the business.

• Is able to persuade peers, customers of a similar level and those directly above to own way of thinking.

• Ability to work within a team.

Desirable:

• Experience in a regulated industry (finance, critical infrastructure, etc.).

• Background in law enforcement, military, or corporate security leadership.

• Experience of delivering security risk management and protecting classified assets.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic mindset with a proactive approach to risk.

• Collaborative, influential, and able to engage stakeholders at all levels.

• Ethical, trustworthy, committed to safeguarding people & information.

• Must be a British Citizen or have an existing right to work in the UK.

• Ability to commit to occasional national and international travel.

• A full valid UK driving license.

• Ability to hold Security Clearance – 5 years residence in the UK.

Callen-Lenz is an equal opportunities employer, committed to building an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. It is essential that the successful candidate must, by the start of their employment have permission to work in the UK. Proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK will be required prior to commencement of employment.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks