About this role
Sizewell C is entering an exciting phase of growth as we mature into an independent organisation and continue building one of the UK’s largest and most important energy projects. We are now recruiting the below position:
Position: Personnel Security Assurance Lead
Security Clearance: Active Security Clearance (SC) is required for this role
Location: London with hybrid working; regular travel between Suffolk and Gloucestershire office locations
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Salary: £66,866 - £70,000 depending on experience, plus benefits
Benefits include:
Annual Leave: 28 days per annum, increasing to 30 days after 5 years of service, plus bank holidaysBonus: 5% annual bonusPension Contributions: Defined Contribution Pension Scheme with up to 7.5% employee contribution and 15% employer contributionLife Assurance: Up to 8 x salary Closing date: 24th October 2026
Role Overview:
We are seeking a Personnel Security Assurance lead to provide Level 2 assurance oversight across personnel security arrangements for the Sizewell C programme. Reporting to the Deputy Head of Security, Resilience and Assurance you will lead personnel security assurance activities covering vetting, onboarding, workforce mobilisation, access control and compliance. Working closely with HR, Recruitment, Training, Site Security and Nuclear Services Security (NSS), you will help ensure personnel security arrangements are effective, proportionate and aligned with regulatory and organisational requirements. This is a highly visible role providing the opportunity to influence senior stakeholders, shape personnel security strategy and support the secure mobilisation of one of the UK's largest infrastructure projects.
Role Responsibilities:
Lead the Personnel Security Line 2 Assurance Programme for Sizewell C, delivering risk-based assurance, reviews and monitoring activities.Provide oversight of vetting, onboarding, access approvals and personnel security controls across the programme.Develop and maintain personnel security policies, procedures, standards and guidance.Identify personnel security risks and ensure corrective actions are implemented and tracked through to completion.Support the continuous improvement of personnel security processes, controls and governance arrangementsManage corporate office access control arrangements and act as the escalation point for complex personnel security matters.Lead personnel security input into audits, inspections and assurance activities.Manage the NSS personnel security task order, including performance monitoring and delivery against agreed objectives.Provide expert advice to managers and stakeholders on personnel security, vetting and access requirements.Produce assurance reports, performance updates and recommendations for senior leadership and governance forums.Build strong relationships with regulators, suppliers and internal stakeholders to support compliant and secure operations.Promote a positive security culture through engagement, awareness and continuous improvement activities. About you:
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
Strong knowledge of personnel security, vetting, pre-employment screening, onboarding and access control within regulated or security-sensitive environments. Strong understanding of assurance, compliance monitoring, audit readiness and governance requirements, including maintaining accurate and auditable records. Ability to lead risk-based personnel security assurance activities, assess evidence, identify findings and drive actions through to closure. Ability to provide clear, proportionate advice on personnel security risks, vetting requirements, onboarding controls and access issues. Ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders, resolve competing priorities and support risk-based decision making. Ability to work across HR, Recruitment, Training, Nuclear Services, Security and wider business functions to ensure compliant mobilisation and personnel security controls. Ability to develop and maintain personnel security procedures, governance documentation, reporting and management information. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce concise reports, communicate complex issues clearly and maintain robust records. Desirable
Experience leading or contributing to governance forums, working groups or improvement initiatives relating to vetting, onboarding, access management, offboarding or assurance. Knowledge of governance and assurance requirements within regulated, nuclear, critical national infrastructure or major project environments. Qualifications & Experience:
Essential
Proven experience within a regulated, high-assurance or security-sensitive environment, with responsibility for personnel security, vetting, onboarding, access control or related assurance activities.Experience identifying and resolving complex personnel security risks and issues through sound judgement, escalation and effective mitigation.Experience leading or supporting audits, reviews, assurance activities or compliance inspections, including evidence gathering, reporting and action tracking.Experience implementing or overseeing personnel security controls in line with legal, regulatory, contractual and organisational requirements.Experience improving personnel security frameworks, governance arrangements, processes or con