Navy Command, Security Risk Lead

Job summary

At Navy Command, we lead, support, and sustain the Royal Navy across every theatre of operations. We coordinate the people, platforms, and missions that keep the Fleet ready for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities. Together, we uphold centuries of naval tradition while driving innovation that ensures the Royal Navy’s readiness to protect our nation and secure our future.

As the authority for the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarine capability, the Submarine Directorate oversees one of the most complex and critical elements of UK defence. Covering everything from in‑service management to long‑term fleet modernisation, the directorate ensures the Submarine Flotilla remains safe, reliable, and ready to meet national security requirements.

You'll be based at HMNB Devonport, the largest naval base in Western Europe and a powerhouse of Royal Navy capability. It is home to amphibious ships, survey squadrons, submarines, and two-thirds of the frigate force. With its unique nuclear refitting facility, Devonport ensures the Fleet remains ready to support operations worldwide.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

Ready to turn risk into resilience? Join us as Security Risk Lead at HM Naval Base Devonport and take the helm of a role where sharp thinking, confident leadership and collaboration really matter. You’ll bring people and information together to identify emerging security risks, shape practical solutions and help protect one of the UK’s most important defence sites—so if you enjoy seeing the bigger picture and making a real difference, this could be your next challenge.

What you will do:

• Lead security risk management activity, ensuring risks are identified, assessed, mitigated and reported in line with Defence policy and governance requirements.
• Develop, maintain and assure coherent Security Risk Registers across authorised systems, recommending proportionate and effective mitigations.
• Lead the Security Risk Balance process and establish governance arrangements aligned with the Navy Command Risk Management Framework.
• Integrate Defence Nuclear Enterprise security risk management policy alongside wider MOD and Navy Command processes.
• Analyse security risk information and present clear, evidence-based insights.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams, partners, lodgers and external stakeholders to build a shared and coherent security risk picture.
• Represent the Security Risk Lead function at security meetings and governance forums, acting as the subject matter expert for Naval Base security risk management.
• Support intelligence and operational activity by capturing lessons, benefits and efficiencies, and contribute to business cases and project reviews as required.
• Deputise on matters relating to the Joint operations cell JOC/and futureICCC and support exercises that demonstrate safe and effective security arrangements across the site.

Person specification

• Demonstrable experience of delivering risk management activity, including identifying, assessing, mitigating and reporting risks.
• Experience of working in security, protective security or a closely related field, with the ability to apply security risk management principles in a complex operational environment.
• Experience of developing, maintaining and assuring risk registers, with the ability to recommend proportionate and evidence-based mitigations.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience of interpreting complex information and presenting clear management information to senior stakeholders and governance boards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to influence decisions, provide professional advice and act as a subject matter expert.
• Proven ability to build effective working relationships and collaborate with internal teams, partners and external stakeholders to develop a shared risk picture.
• Experience of establishing or improving governance processes and ensuring activity complies with relevant policies, frameworks and assurance requirements.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgement and deliver high-quality outcomes.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• •Acquiring and Developing Specialist Knowledge in Security Management – Specialist Security Knowledge – Awareness level.
• •Delivering Specialist Skills in Protective Security – Security Risk Management - Awareness level.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,040, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,337 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Market-leading employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Personal & professional development
• Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Access to a confidential, professional support service
• Discount schemes
• Bicycle / season-ticket loans
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Special paid leave to volunteer (up to 6 days a year)

In Navy Command we believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you’ll be supported through your learning journey and your career. This can include working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role.

You’ll have access to a variety of qualifications pathways ranging from GCSE/A-Level equivalent all the way up to master’s degree, depending on your role, your previous skills and your experience. Some qualifications even include “on-the-job” training which means minimal disruption to your working day but maximum impact

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, vi