Location : Debden, Essex
Department Overview
The Security Operations team sits within the Bank of England’s Security Division and plays a vital role in protecting our people, tenants, visitors, buildings, assets and information. As part of the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure, and with responsibility for supporting the production of all Bank of England banknotes, our security environment is high-profile, complex and closely connected with law enforcement.
This is an interesting and varied opportunity to join an organised, disciplined and professional team at the heart of the UK’s central bank. The Security Operations team is structured to provide flexibility, enabling colleagues to train, test and exercise while continuing to deliver essential day-to-day security operations. The team works closely with stakeholders across all business areas, making this a broad and engaging role in a unique security environment.
Job Description
As a Control Room Operator, you will work under the direction of the Security Control Room Shift Leader to help protect the Bank from internal and external physical security threats and support responses to infrastructure failures in partnership with others. This is a 24/7 operational role, working on a rotational shift pattern.
The role focuses on overseeing IDS and CCTV systems, managing key communication activity and applying Bank-specific knowledge to support security requirements across different business areas. You will make security decisions in line with standard operating procedures, with support from senior colleagues where needed, and may occasionally direct contractor staff.
Role Responsibilites
As a Security Control Room Operator, you will play a key role in helping to protect the Bank of England’s people, buildings, assets and information. Working as part of a 24/7 security operation, your main responsibility will be to monitor and respond to physical security risks, internal incidents and infrastructure failures, using established procedures and the support of senior colleagues where needed.
You will oversee key security systems including CCTV, alarms and other monitoring equipment, assess and escalate potential threats, and coordinate effective responses to a range of situations. These may include suspicious activity, protests, bomb warnings, crime, fire, flood, first aid incidents, security breaches and other emergencies.
A typical shift may involve;
- control room duties,
- static guarding,
- patrolling,
- searching,
- visitor management,
- emergency response,
- mail examination,
- building protection,
- alarm monitoring,
- CCTV surveillance and asset protection.
You will also take part in regular training, development and exercising activity to help maintain a high standard of operational readiness.
This is a varied and responsible role that requires sound judgement, clear communication, strong attention to detail and the ability to remain calm under pressure. You will work closely with security colleagues, teams across the Bank, contractors and, when required, external emergency services to support a safe and secure environment.
You will be required to work shifts which is predominantly a 3 on / 3 off rotation, but with two additional training days per month. This is a combination of early, late and night shifts on a rotation system. Hours of working are approximately 9 hours per shift and for training days.
Role Requirements
Minimum Criteria
- Proven experience working in the security industry, a control room environment, or a high-security site.
- Demonstrable experience using security systems such as CCTV, alarm systems and/or fire systems.
- Able to work a 24/7 rotational shift pattern, including early, late and night shifts.
- Able to communicate clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing, including recording incidents and actions accurately.
Essential Criteria
- Demonstrates sound judgement, integrity and professionalism when handling security-related matters.
- Able to remain calm, focused and effective when responding to incidents, alarms, emergency situations or competing priorities.
- Demonstrates good customer focus and the ability to provide a professional service to staff, visitors, contractors and stakeholders.
- Able to plan, prioritise and coordinate resources or activities effectively in response to operational requirements.
- Able to follow standard operating procedures and escalate security incidents appropriately when required.
- Demonstrates flexibility and reliability in supporting a shift-based operational environment.
Desirable Criteria
- Holds a valid SIA Licence, security qualification or equivalent relevant qualification.
- Experience delivering a professional customer experience in a security, front-of-house, control room or operational environment.
Experience supporting incident response, emergency procedures, access control, searching, patrolling or visitor management a
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Our Approach to Inclusion
The Bank values diversity, equity and inclusion. We play a key role in maintaining monetary and financial stability, and to do that effectively, we believe we need a workforce that reflects the society we serve.
At the Bank of England, we want all colleagues to feel valued and respected, so we're working hard to build an inclusive culture which supports people from all backgrounds and communities to be at their best at work. We celebrate all forms of diversity, including (but not limited to) age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. We believe that it’s by drawing on different perspectives and experiences that we’ll continue to make the best decisions for the public.
Finally, we're proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme . If you wish to apply under this scheme, you should check the box in the ‘Candidate Personal Information’ under the ‘Disability Confident Scheme’ section of the application.
Salary and Benefits Information
This role offers a salary of £28,640 and an annual, non-pensionable shift allowance of £8,000.
In addition, we also offer a comprehensive benefits package as detailed below:
- Currently a non-contributory, career average pension giving you a guaranteed retirement benefit of 1/80th of your annual salary for every year worked. There is the option to increase your pension (to 1/65th) or decrease (to 1/105th) in exchange for salary through our flexible benefits programme each year. The Bank has the discretion to vary standard accrual rates and dial up and dial down rates at any time and to withdraw dial up and dial down options at any time.
- A discretionary performance award based on a current award pool.
- An 8% benefits allowance with the option to take as salary or purchase a wide range of flexible benefits.
- 26 days’ annual leave with option to buy up to 12 additional days through flexible benefits.
- Private medical insurance and income protection.
National Security Vetting Process
Employment in this role will be subject to the National Security Vetting clearance process (and typically can take between 6 to 12 weeks post offer) and the passing of additional Bank security checks in accordance with the Bank policy. Further information regarding the vetting and security clearance requirements for the role will be provided to the successful applicant, and information about how the Bank processes personal data for these purposes, is set out in the Bank's Privacy Notice .
The Bank of England welcomes applications from all candidates, but as a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approved sponsor, we have a responsibility to comply with the Immigration Rules and guidance. As such, our ability to employ individuals who require sponsorship for immigration purposes is limited. The Bank cannot guarantee that you and / or the role you are applying for will be eligible for sponsorship and that any application made to UKVI will be successful. Eligibility will therefore be considered on a case by case basis.
The Application Process
Important: Please ensure that you complete the ‘work history’ section and answer ALL the application questions fully. All candidate applications are anonymised to ensure that our hiring managers will not be able to see your personal information, including your CV, when reviewing your application details at the screening stage. It’s therefore really important that you fill out the work history and application form questions, as your answers will form a critical part of the initial selection process.
The assessment process will comprise of two stages.
This role closes for applications on 11 September 2026.
Please apply online, ensuring that you complete your work history and answer ALL the application questions fully and in detail as your application will not be considered if all mandatory questions are not fully completed.
