Manager Security Services Sussex

At American Express, our culture is built on a 175-year history of innovation, shared values and Leadership Behaviors, and an unwavering commitment to back our customers, communities, and colleagues. As part of Team Amex, you'll experience this powerful backing with comprehensive support for your holistic well-being and many opportunities to learn new skills, develop as a leader, and grow your career.

Here, your voice and ideas matter, your work makes an impact, and together, you will help us define the future of American Express.

How will you make an impact in this role?

This position is responsible for assisting the Director-Security Services in providing effective security for American Express facilities, its employees, contractors, visitors and customers. Based in Brighton, responsible for the protection of our people and offices in John Street, Brighton and Sussex House, Burgess Hill, Sussex.

• Coordinate and provide effective security coverage by co-managing an outsourced Security workforce and by directly supervising all administrative support staff, supervisors, officers and console operators.

• Ensure that the staff is kept fully informed of all security policies, procedures and techniques by developing, implementing and conducting training as appropriate.

• With the Director-Security Services, develop, communicate and enforce security policy rules and regulations covering the handling of both routine and emergency security matters.

• Lead and manage Staff Related Incidents involving UK based colleagues.  Work closely with Colleague Labour Relations to manage the risk to colleagues.

• Supervise the handling of security breaches by assigning and following up on all investigations pertaining to such matters as bomb threats, thefts and other suspicious activities.

• In conjunction with the Director-Security Services, develop and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of Sussex Police, South East Counter Terrorism Unit and other local agencies to ensure a high degree of cooperation and support from these agencies when the need arises.

• Work closely with the local facilities teams to ensure that proper security coverage is provided.

• Ensure adequate security coverage for special events both within and outside the facility by scheduling staff.

• Coordinate and manage the ID Badging process (photos, data input, access authorization, etc.) to control and monitor all physical access to facilities.

• Keep the local Leadership Team apprised of significant issues through the timely preparation of statistical and administrative reports addressing major or impactful security issues.

• Assist in conducting risk assessments of proposed and existing facilities to design, recommend and implement a security program.

• The position is on call 24/7/365 and must have strong, effective leadership skills to handle emergency situations to ensure the safety of employees, contractors and visitors on site.

• Willing to travel within the EMEA Region to undertake Executive and Event Protection duties; or undertake physical site reviews.

• Live near Brighton, able to respond quickly to Sussex based incidents.

• Be a member of the UK Crisis Response Team, managing incidents impacting our people, operations and brand image.

Minimum qualifications:

• Thorough understanding of all areas of physical and building security including emergency response procedures.

• Strong communication and managerial skills to effectively supervise and coordinate schedules of contract staff.

• Excellent inter-personal skills to successfully handle sensitive situations with all levels of management.

• Have knowledge and experience of Violence in the Workplace procedures and management of Staff Related Incidents.

• Must be able to build relationships with local department leaders Country Executive Team, to ensure acceptance of security policies and procedures for emergency response.

• Ability to quickly analyse a situation, apply security expertise and act decisively to effectively resolve with available resources.

• Communicate with business leaders about their security-related business needs.

• Conduct security audits and physical site reviews (PSRs); write PSR reports.

• Recommend security equipment and systems for new and existing facilities.

• Solicit bids, select contractors, and oversee contract work.

• Supervise contract security officers.

• Supervise personnel responsible for monitoring facility access, doing security rounds, monitoring alarm and surveillance equipment.

• Work to improve safety and security, prevent security incidents, and minimize business disruption due to security incidents.

• Monitor potential weather emergencies or natural disasters.

• Ensure security equipment is working properly.

• Respond to reports of wrongdoing involving persons and property.

• Investigate accidents, injuries, and violence in the workplace.

• Required to be On Call 24 hours a day as part of a UK rota.

Key Skills

• Vendor Contract Management

• Experience in Crisis Management

• Experience in Executive Protection across the EMEA region

• An understanding of Workplace Violence policy.

Breadth of Responsibility - The degree to which this job impacts the organization and its employees. For what is this job responsible?

• The position is on call 24/7/365 and must have strong, effective leadership skills to handle emergency situations to ensure the safety of employees, contractors and visitors on site.

• Autonomy/Problem Solving & Decision Making- The degree to which this job is subject to the policies and procedures of management; types of decisions made by this position, and those referred to the next level.

• The Manager must be able to act independently and make effective decisions in the absence of the Director or other members of the Global Security Leadership team during emergency situations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Previous job experience is required; ideal candidates will have at least 5 years’ experience (e.g., military, law enforcement, physical security).

• Supervisory experience in security management a plus.

• Some background in electronics and/or engineering would be helpful.

• Professional certification in security management or physical security a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s or other 4-year degree is strongly preferred. Relevant fields of study include business, criminal justice, and social sciences.

Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the United Kingdom is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions. 

We back you with benefits that support your holistic well-being so you can be and deliver your best. This means caring for you and your loved ones' physical, financial, and mental health, as well as providing the flexibility you need to thrive personally and professionally:

• Competitive base salaries 
• Bonus incentives 
• Support for financial-well-being and retirement 
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits (depending on location) 
• Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need 
• Generous paid parental leave policies (depending on your location) 
• Free access to global on-site wellness centers staffed with nurses and doctors (depending on location) 
• Free and confidential counseling support through our Healthy Minds program 
• Career development and training opportunities

Offer of employment with American Express is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background verification check, subject to applicable laws and regulations.