Head of Fire & Security

Head of Fire & Security

Location: We operate a flexible, hybrid working environment with the candidate required to travel to an Arqiva office when required

Total Package

• 15% Bonus
• 6% pension contribution
• Private Medical
• 25 days annual leave
• Access to our comprehensive flexible benefits including discounts on big brands, wellness and employee assistance programmes, gymflex, buy and sell annual leave, travel and dental insurance

Why This Role Matters

This is a rare opportunity to shape and lead the fire and physical security strategy for a critical national infrastructure organisation. As Head of Fire & Security, you will operate at the heart of Arqiva’s estate, protecting our people, assets and operations while influencing best practice across government, regulators and industry forums. You will be a recognised subject‑matter expert, trusted by senior leadership with the mandate to evolve our security and fire management capability and embed best‑in‑class standards across a complex, high‑risk environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute strategic physical security and fire management plans, in order to maintain continuity of operations, protect our people, assets, facilities, and maintain compliance with legal, regulatory and industry standards ompliance with legal, regulatory, and industry standards.
• Develop and implement physical security policies, processes and systems, aligned with ISO, NFPA, BS standards, and regulatory requirements; translate safety policy and relevant buildings fire legislation into premises design in order to best prevent fire
• Act as the lead Arqiva SME on design of physical security and fire management for Arqiva estate – internally, advise and recommend at Board, Audit Committee and ORC levels; externally, represent the organization with government and industry security and relevant fire safety forums, influencing policy and implementing best practice in Arqiva
• Agree and implement governance to ensure performance of all physical security and fire management operations is as required, including CCTV, access control, and guarding contracts; integrate fire safety considerations into operational plans, and ensure all required data, including evacuation plans, fire drill records, and access protocols, is in place
• Develop insight on relevant fire management technoiogies and physical security risks and trends; champion and lead implementation of innovation in security and fire protection technologies and solutions, such as smart detection and integrated monitoring
• Conduct physical security and fire design risk assessments, audits, inspections, gap analyses, including liaison with insurers and regulatory bodies. ensuring robust mitigation plans are in place.
• Lead incident response and investigations for physical security or firerelated events, including root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Manage relevant contractor performance, testing, and handover procedures, ensuring fire systems (sprinklers, alarms, suppression) meet specification and certification
• Enhance staff awareness and capability in fire prevention, emergency response, and physical security, acting as the lead SME for example in the design and delivery of learning materials and interventions

Skills & Experience Required

• Strategic Planning: Ability to design and implement long-term physical security strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Leadership: Experience leading cross-functional teams and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Budgeting: Proficiency in managing budgets, contracts, and vendor relationships
• Policy Development: Ability to create and enforce physical security policies and procedures.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Strong interpersonal skills for working with internal departments, law enforcement, and government agencies.
• Training & Awareness: Ability to develop and deliver security awareness programs for staff.
• Executive Reporting: Skilled in preparing and presenting reports to senior leadership, boards, and governance committees.
• Risk Assessment & Mitigation: Skilled in identifying vulnerabilities, conducting threat assessments, and implementing mitigation strategies.

Knowledge & Experience

• Extensive experience of managing physical security environments, ideally in a UK organisation with CNI, including setting up security policies and systems, managing security incidents, conducting investigations, and reporting outcomes
• Extensive understanding of physical security systems inlcuding CCTV, access control, intrusion detection, perimeter protection, and integrated security technologies
• Extensive understanding of asset related fire management systems
• Extensive knowledge of ISO 27001, ISO 22301, and other relevant standards.

Qualifications

• Candidates will bring senior‑level experience in fire safety and physical security leadership, supported by recognised professional qualifications (e.g. NEBOSH, IFE, CSyP) and/or equivalent demonstrable expertise.

Why Arqiva

We enable a switched-on world to flow. As the UK’s leader in TV and radio broadcast and the country’s top smart utilities platform, we are shaping the future of connectivity.

Our infrastructure delivers media and data exactly where they’re needed - whether that’s bringing TV and radio to your home or sending smart meter data to your utility provider. Our technology works quietly behind the scenes, connecting millions every day.

But it’s not just what we do, it’s how we do it. At Arqiva, you’ll find real connection: supportive teams, active colleague networks and plenty of ways to get involved and feel part of our community. We’ll give you the space and support to grow - whether that’s developing your skills, trying something new or taking on fresh challenges. And because there is more to life than work, our rewards and benefits are designed to support your wellbeing, your lifestyle and what matters most to you.

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

At Arqiva, we’re committed to building a workplace where everyone feels valued, heard and empowered to succeed. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and experiences, and we work hard to remove barriers so every colleague can thrive. If you need any adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please reach out to talent@arqiva.com.

If this sounds like the right next step for you, we’d love to hear from you!