Environment Agency
Thames Barrier and Associated Gates Senior Security Team Leader - 36091
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Job Description
Join the local operations team responsible for protecting and operating one of the UK's most iconic and strategically important pieces of National Infrastructure. This role provides a unique opportunity to shape the security and resilience of the Thames Tidal Defences (TTD), including the world-renowned Thames Barrier, helping safeguard millions of people, homes, businesses and nationally significant assets across London and the Thames Estuary.
About the Role
As the senior security lead for Thames Tidal Defences, you will provide strategic oversight of security risk across a diverse portfolio of operational sites and assets. You will oversee day-to-day security arrangements, ensuring effective management of physical access, personnel security, information security and the wider security culture. Working across operational, engineering and corporate functions, you will influence decisions at all levels and provide assurance that security risks are appropriately identified, assessed and managed.
You will maintain a strategic view of the threat landscape and lead engagement with key national security partners including the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Counter Terrorism Security Advisors (CTSA) and relevant government departments. You will approve threat response postures, oversee prioritised security improvement programmes and ensure security risks are escalated appropriately.
The role is responsible for setting local vetting standards, supporting complex personnel and protective security decisions, and maintaining long-term maintenance and capital investment plans for physical and electronic security systems. Working closely with Corporate Security and Critical National Infrastructure security specialists, you will help shape the future security strategy for TTD, ensuring alignment with national policy, emerging threats and industry best practice.
This is an exciting opportunity to make a tangible difference at the heart of a nationally significant operation where security, resilience and public safety are critical to everything we do.
The Team
The Thames Tidal Defences Department manages the iconic Thames Barrier and its associated gates, protecting 125 km² of London from tidal flooding. This vital system safeguards 1.51 million people, 743,000 properties, and £401 billion of infrastructure. Behind this protection is a dedicated team of asset managers, engineers, forecasters, and security professionals, working together to ensure resilience, reliability, and rapid response across one of the UK’s most important flood defence networks.
Experience/Skills Required
- Minimum of 5 years experience in security, protective security, risk management or critical infrastructure environments.
- Strong understanding of physical, personnel, cyber/operational technology and supply chain security.
- Experience in conducting security risk assessments and threat-informed security planning.
- Proven ability to lead, influence and build trusted partnerships across multiple stakeholders.
- Strong communication and engagement skills, with experience of driving business and cultural change.
- Ability to make informed decisions in complex and sensitive environments.
- Willingness and ability to achieve Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance.
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Contact and Additional Information
You will be based at the Thames Barrier, working primarily on site with some opportunities for home-based working.
- Incident response is a key part of our work, and all team members are expected to undertake an incident role, with full training provided.
- Standby payments and overtime are available where applicable.
- Once competent to undertake an operational duty role at TTD, you will also receive a Critical National Infrastructure allowance of £3,000 per year.
- In addition, an Inner London Weighting allowance of £4,406 per annum applies.
We offer an excellent benefits package, including flexible working arrangements, 27 days annual leave, and membership of our award-winning Pension Fund.
Interviews are planned for the weeks commencing 12 & 19 October 2026.
For further information, please contact John.Dippnall@environment-agency.gov.uk
Competencies
Competence 1: Leads People
Description
Using a specific example, describe how you led a team to understand and take ownership of a significant security risk. Explain the approach you used, the methods that worked best, and the reasons they were effective.
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using this lead capability may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to assessment/interview.
Feedback is generally not available at sift stage.
Competence 2: Builds and Sustains Relationships
Description
Describe a time when you worked with several stakeholders during a security incident or other high-pressure situation. How did you build and maintain effective working relationships, and what helped you achieve a positive outcome?
Competence 3: Delivers Results Through Others
Description
Using a specific example, describe how you delegated responsibility to others to deliver a successful outcome. Explain the approach you took, how you supported and held others to account, and what helped ensure the work was completed effectively.
Competence 4: Manages Self
Description
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Using a specific example, explain how you managed yourself during a sensitive, complex or high-pressure security situation. How did you prioritise your work, maintain good judgement, and ensure you delivered the right outcome?
Role Specific License Requirements
- Full UK driving Licence
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.
We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls. Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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