OPERATIONS TEAM
Working in this fast-paced and multi-dimensional environment, the Head of Security will be responsible for ensuring Silverstone meets and exceeds its safety, security, and compliance obligations across a number of departments on a day-to-day and event-by-event basis. This includes, but is not limited to, Catering, Venue, Driving Experiences, Corporate and Public Events. The role involves advising, monitoring, assisting and mentoring team members to ensure the business achieves best practice and legal compliance.
We’re smooth operators, and there’s never been a more exciting time to join. Alongside our established Hilton Garden Inn hotel and Escapade luxury onsite residences, we continue to maintain and develop a range of leisure activities and programmes that support the business’s longer-term strategy of sustainability and diversification.
You’ll play an essential role in a fast-paced team that is made up of:
- Operations (Venue, Facilities, Logistics, Track, site and buildings)
- Medical (Onsite medical facility and services)
- Health & Safety (including circuit safety team),
- Security & Safety (public safety, site and event security)
- Public Events (including the British Grand Prix, MotoGP, Classic and Club meetings and bespoke leisure events)
- Corporate & Hospitality events (Day to day delivery of track days, testing and conferencing, banqueting, catering and hospitality)
JOB PURPOSE
The post-holder is responsible for the strategic leadership, development and continuous improvement of all security, stewarding and access control operations across the venue, ensuring the safe, secure and efficient delivery of all business activities and world-class events.
Reporting to the Venue Operations Director and working closely with the Head of Venue Operations and Head of Safety, the role plays a key part in shaping the overall operational strategy for Health, Safety and Security, ensuring security is fully integrated into event planning, venue operations and the wider customer experience.
The role is accountable for developing and implementing a forward-thinking security strategy that meets legislative, regulatory and industry best practice requirements while supporting the commercial ambitions of the business. This includes leading the planning and delivery of security arrangements for all events, enhancing operational resilience, improving service quality, strengthening access control systems and driving continuous improvement across security operations.
This role will:
- Ensure security arrangements are proportionate, effective and commercially sustainable while continually enhancing the Fan experience.
- Lead the strategic planning and operational delivery of security and stewarding for all events, ensuring security is embedded throughout the event lifecycle from planning through to delivery and debrief.
- Develop, implement and continuously improve the venue’s security strategy, policies, standards and operating procedures.
- Drive operational excellence through robust quality assurance, performance management and continuous improvement initiatives across all security services.
- Lead the development of modern access control strategies and technologies to improve operational efficiency, the Fans First experience and venue security.
- Review and supplier arrangements, consolidating service providers where appropriate to improve consistency, accountability, quality, and value for money.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, licences, regulatory requirements and recognised industry standards.
- Develop effective partnerships with emergency services, local authorities, government agencies, and relevant industry bodies (e.g. F1).
- Provide expert security leadership, advice and assurance across all areas of the business.
Silverstone is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk and expects all team members and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and DBS checks at the appropriate level will be obtained prior to employment commencing.
Strategic Leadership
- Provide strategic leadership, management and development of all security operations.
- Develop, implement and regularly review the Security Strategy and associated operational procedures and policies.
- Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, service delivery and resilience through innovation, technology and best practice.
- In partnership with the People & Culture team, develop long-term resourcing strategies to strengthen ‘home team’ capability and reduce dependency on agencies.
- Manage departmental budgets and identify efficiencies through supplier optimisation and improved resource utilisation.
Operational Excellence & Quality Assurance
- Lead a 24/7 security operation delivering consistently high standards of service with a focus on Fans First principles.
- Implement robust quality assurance frameworks (e.g. operational audits, perimeter checks) to drive continuous improvement.
- Manage suppliers to agreed SLAs.
- Oversee incident management and post-event reviews, ensuring lessons learned are embedded into future operations.
- Ensure security systems (e.g. CCTV) and operational practices remain fit for purpose and aligned to industry best practice.
Event Security Planning
- Provide expert input to security planning for all events, working closely with the Health & Safety, Events and Corporate teams.
- Ensure security, stewarding and access control plans (e.g. search ratios) are proportionate to event risk profiles.
- Lead event debriefs, identifying opportunities to improve future planning, operational effectiveness and customer experience.
Supplier & Contract Management
- Lead procurement, contract management and KPI/SLA oversight of all security providers.
- Drive supplier consolidation strategies to improve consistency, resilience, efficiencies and operational control.
- Review operating models to identify opportunities for greater ‘home team’ resourcing through a reduced reliance on agency.
Access Control & Security Systems
- Lead the strategic development of physical access control.
- Ensure security systems including CCTV and ANPR are maintained, operational, effective and compliant.
- Work with IT to strengthen cyber resilience and develop integrated responses to physical and cyber security threats.
Risk Management & Compliance
- Develop effective partnerships with emergency services, local authorities, government agencies and relevant industry bodies (e.g. F1).
- Represent the organisation at security forums, working groups and industry networks.
- Lead strategic threat and risk assessments across the organisation.
- Ensure compliance with legislation, licensing conditions and recognised security standards.
- Provide expert advice on security risks, operational resilience and business continuity planning.
Person Specification
- Strong strategic management and leadership skills, with flexibility of approach and the ability to constantly re-evaluate competing priorities.
- Highly motivated, able to inspire confidence and demonstrate clear leadership.
- Able to respond well in a challenging environment and work effectively under pressure.
- Proven track record across all major areas of responsibility in the field of security and emergency/crisis management.
- Extensive, current professional experience at senior level in security management or law enforcement.
- Demonstrable knowledge, ability and commitment to implementing best practice in public safety and security.
Performance Responsibilities Performance will be monitored against:
- Objectives set through the Personal Development Review (PDR) process.
- Ownership and completion of agreed business priorities in a timely manner.
- Contribution to effective teamwork.
Key Relationships
- Senior Management Team.
- All internal departments and team members.
- Third-party agencies, partners and governing bodies.
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Proven track record across all the major areas of responsibility in the field of security and emergency/crisis management.
- Extensive relevant, current professional experience at manager level in security management or law enforcement.
- Have the knowledge, ability, and commitment to implement 'best practices' relating to safety and security.
- Knowledge and experience of engaging with Police, SecCO and/or CTSA's.
- Knowledge, ideally working knowledge, of relevant regulations including Safety of Sports Ground Legislation and the Green/Purple Guides.
- Experience of managing safety and security of event operations in a multi-site or sporting/visitor attraction venue in compliance with "The Green Guide".
- Qualified in Health and Safety (NEBOSH, IOSH, NVQ4 Spectator Safety) - Desirable
- Able to demonstrate strong management and leadership skills, flexibility of approach and ability to constantly re-evaluate competing priorities.
- The ability to evaluate and advise on potential security risks and propose clear and effective solutions.
- The ability to review all planned security policies, arrangements and identify and manage development requirements.
- Motivated and able to inspire confidence and demonstrate clear leadership.
- The ability to respond well in a challenging environment, remaining calm under pressure with the ability to make informed decisions.
We don’t just look after our team and our fans. We want to look after our world too. We're committed in our responsibility to reach our zero-carbon goal. So, we've adopted greener methods within our workplace, donated more than 20 tonnes of surplus food, and installed over 2,700 solar panels which generates 13% of our venue’s power - with all other energy from 100% renewable sources. Our dedication has earned us Three Star FIA Environmental Accreditation, but this is just the start.
We’re Silverstone, the UK’s leading motorsport venue for over 60 years. You probably know us as the hosts of world-class events, such as the Formula 1 British Grand Prix, MotoGP™ and Silverstone Festival.
As a true, one-of-a-kind destination, we make people feel the thrill on and beyond the track. From unforgettable business experiences at our International Conference & Exhibition Centre, to unique getaways and iconic trackside views at Escapade - we work hard to ensure each and every one of our visitors can see our personality, touch our legacy and hear our heartbeat around every single corner. And we want you to be a part of it.
