Hours: Full-time position available (minimum of 32 hours per week)
Duration: Permanent
Pay: £14.05 per hour Day Shift / £15.55 per hour Night Shift
Department: Security
Reports To: Safety & Security Team Leader, Health, Safety & Security Manager, or Duty Manager
Location: Based on The Royal Yacht Britannia, with interaction with Fingal Hotel
The Royal Yacht Britannia is an award-winning, five-star visitor attraction and exclusive evening events venue in Edinburgh, which employs more than 200 staff. This former floating palace of Queen Elizabeth II usually attracts circa 350,000 visitors a year from around the world and hosts around 100 high-profile evening events annually.
Complementing this, Fingal Hotel, a former Northern Lighthouse Board vessel, has been transformed into a distinctive, five-star luxury boutique hotel and events venue. Fingal has quickly established itself as one of Edinburgh’s most unique hospitality destinations, offering an exceptional guest experience and earning widespread recognition within the luxury travel and tourism sector.
Role Purpose
The primary purpose of the role is to ensure the safety and security of all colleagues, visitors, and contractors, while delivering a high standard of customer service appropriate to a premium visitor and hospitality environment.
The role requires a proactive, professional, occasional visible presence, balancing security responsibilities with a commitment to providing a positive visitor experience. Clear, timely, and effective communication is always essential to support safe and coordinated operations.
First Aid qualification and experience in visitor attraction security and customer service are desirable, but not essential.
The role operates as part of a flexible shift-based structure and is expected to support operational requirements across a 24/7 rota, including night, and event shifts.
Security & Operational Duties
- Monitor CCTV, access control, alarm systems, and radios in accordance with company procedures, ensuring all systems are functioning correctly and reporting any faults immediately
- Control access to restricted areas, including managing visitor and contractor sign-in procedures and allocating and recording keys as required
- Conduct patrols and, where appropriate and staffing levels allow, escort contractors within the premises
- Respond promptly and appropriately to incidents, alarms, and calls for assistance, taking ownership of situations and escalating where required
- Act as the initial point of control during incidents, coordinating response until relieved by management or emergency services
- Support emergency response procedures, including fire alarms, evacuations, and first aid (where trained)
- Maintain accurate records of all incidents, activities, and irregularities within control room logs and reports
- Assist with investigations as required, including reviewing CCTV footage
- Maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive security information
- Secure and open the vessel outside normal operating hours, including following events and in preparation for daily operations
- Conduct daily audits of keys, radios, and security equipment
- Complete all required training within specified timeframes
- Provide event security support in line with operational requirements
- Where possible, support Fingal in safety & security related matters
- Maintain confidentiality at all times
Customer service/Experience Responsibilities
- Deliver a welcoming and professional first impression, acting as a visible and approachable point of contact
- Provide a calm, reassuring, and professional presence at all times
- Assist guests, contractors, and colleagues with enquiries and directions
- Proactively engage with visitors and offer assistance where appropriate
- Support the overall visitor experience by maintaining awareness of operations, events, and key locations
- Handle complaints or concerns professionally, resolving issues where possible or escalating appropriately
- De-escalate situations using effective communication and conflict management skills
- Work collaboratively with other departments to ensure a seamless and consistent visitor experience
- Provide accurate information regarding facilities, operations, and emergency procedures
- Maintain high standards of personal presentation in line with a premium environment
Communication Responsibilities
- Provide clear, concise, and timely instructions to staff during incidents
- Maintain effective communication across departments to support coordinated operations
- Record and relay accurate information through approved logs, reports, and structured handovers
- Ensure clear and consistent communication during shift handovers to maintain continuity
- Escalate issues appropriately, ensuring the right people are informed at the right time
- Communicate clearly and confidently with emergency services when required
- Manage multiple communication channels (radio, phone, email, in person) effectively and professionally
- Always observe correct radio etiquette
- Consistently answer phone calls professionally and redirect enquiries where appropriate
- Inform relevant parties of deliveries and support coordination of receipt and distribution
- Liaise with external organisations where required
- Maintain professionalism and clarity when communicating under pressure
Health, Safety & Compliance Responsibilities
- Take a proactive approach to identifying hazards and risks, implementing immediate control measures where safe to do so
- Carry out dynamic risk assessments in response to changing situations
- Ensure fire safety systems, escape routes, and equipment remain compliant and unobstructed
- Conduct mandated system tests (e.g. weekly fire alarm call point tests) and record results accurately
- Report hazards, unsafe behaviours, maintenance issues, and security breaches promptly
- Ensure all incidents and near misses are recorded accurately to support audit and investigation
- Maintain awareness of relevant legislation and company policies, including GDPR, Protect Duty (Martyn’s Law), and licensing requirements
- Maintain awareness of suspicious behaviour and emerging risks
- Ensure safe lone working practices are always followed
- Challenge unsafe or non-compliant behaviour in a professional manner
- Support business continuity arrangements during incidents
Authority & Accountability
- Exercise sound judgement in line with training, procedures, and organisational values
- Has authority to challenge behaviour, restrict access, or take immediate action where safety or security is at risk
- Maintain high standards of conduct and always act as a role model for professionalism
Company benefits include:
- 10% employer pension contribution with a choice to contribute up to a further 5% yourself, which would then be matched by us as well! (So, 20% potential contribution to your pension)
- 6.6 weeks/33 days pro-rata, annual holiday entitlement (one week/5 days pro-rata more than statutory minimum)
- Life Assurance
- Performance & loyalty payment scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Complimentary tickets
- Staff discount (Britannia Shop, Royal Deck Tearoom and The Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar aboard Fingal Hotel)
- Free car parking for staff.
If you feel you have the personality, skills and experience we are looking for, then we would love to hear from you.
Please send your CV and a covering letter outlining why you feel you would be suitable for the role of Security Officer to: [email protected] or postal applications to:
Murray Wight
Health, Safety & Security Manager
The Royal Yacht Britannia
Whisky Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6JJ
Closing date: Sunday 21 June
No agencies please.
Please note, due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to unsuccessful candidates. If you have been selected for interview you will be contacted directly.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £14.05-£15.55 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
