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- Be responsible for the safety of a building, a location, people or a property
- You'll need knowledge of public safety and security and be able to remain calm in stressful situations
- Potential to become a manager, consultant, or set up your own agency
As a security manager, you'll be responsible for keeping staff and visitors safe, and protecting an organisation's buildings and other property.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Managing a security team
- Planning work rotas
- Monitoring CCTV and alarms in a control room
- Co-ordinating responses to incidents
- Recruiting and training new staff
- Working with the police and other emergency services
- Organising security for events and VIP visits
- Investigating security breaches to learn lessons
- Acting as keyholder for access to buildings and controlled areas
- Developing and testing security, evacuation and emergency plans
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You could work in an office, control room or visit sites.
You'll need
To be a security manager, you'll need knowledge of public safety and security, customer service skills, patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations, the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure, knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses, leadership skills, business management skills, and thoroughness and attention to detail.
You'll need to pass enhanced background checks, be over 18 years of age, and have a driving licence.
You can do a security first line manager advanced apprenticeship for this role.
You could also start as a security officer and become a team supervisor. You can then move into security management through on-the-job training and promotion.
You can apply directly for security management jobs if you've got between 2 and 5 years' experience in the security industry. You'll also need a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence. Employers may accept you if you have experience of managing a team in the armed forces, police or prison service.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could become an area security manager, with responsibility for offices, shops or other facilities across a region. You might specialise as a consultant, advising businesses on certain types of security, for example close protection, anti-terror measures or conflict management. You could also set up your own security recruitment agency, or work for companies that develop and sell security systems, like biometrics or surveillance equipment.