Closure jobs in London

Regional Head of Security – Europe, CIS, RBA, Turkey & Azerbaijan

Location: London, United Kingdom
Function: Corporate Security
Level: Associate Vice President / Head of Regional Security (M3)
Reporting To: Chief Security and Vigilance Officer (CSVO)

About VFS Global

VFS Global is the world’s leading outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. We operate in a highly regulated, mission‑critical environment, managing sensitive processes across multiple geographies with the highest standards of security, integrity, and compliance. As part of our continued focus on strengthening regional leadership, VFS Global is seeking an experienced and accomplished Regional Head of Security to be based in London, with responsibility for security governance and operations across Europe, CIS, Russia, Belarus, Armenia (RBA), Turkey, and Azerbaijan.

Role Purpose

The Regional Head of Security will provide strategic leadership, governance, and operational oversight of all corporate security, risk management, fraud prevention, investigations, and crisis response activities across a complex and geopolitically sensitive region. Based in London, this role serves as the primary regional security advisor to senior business leadership, government clients, and other key stakeholders, ensuring a consistent, compliant, and risk‑based security posture aligned with corporate policies, mission requirements, and local legal and regulatory frameworks. This is a leadership role with both strategic and hands‑on operational accountability.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Provide strategic direction and executive oversight for regional security operations.
• Act as the regional authority on corporate security, fraud risk, investigations, and crisis management.
• Translate global security policies into region‑specific frameworks tailored to local risk and regulatory environments.
• Represent Corporate Security at regional leadership forums and executive reviews.

Regional Risk Management

• Maintain continuous oversight of geopolitical, regulatory, and threat dynamics across the region.
• Approve and oversee security risk assessments for new and existing Visa Application Centres (VACs) and support offices.
• Ensure risk ratings drive proportionate security design, guarding models, technology deployment, and budgets.
• Proactively identify emerging risks and advise leadership on mitigation strategies.

Operational Oversight

• Provide functional leadership to Regional and Country Security Managers across:
• Physical security systems (CCTV, Access Control, Intrusion Detection, manned guarding etc.)
• Secure handling and transportation of sensitive documents (passports, PII documents etc.)
• Incident reporting, investigations, and loss prevention
• Emergency response and crisis preparedness
• Ensure consistency, auditability, and compliance across countries while enabling local adaptability.

Investigations, Incident & Crisis Management

• Oversee investigations into security incidents, fraud, misconduct, losses, and breaches.
• Ensure prompt escalation, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and executive reporting.
• Act as the Regional Crisis Lead during high‑impact events such as civil unrest, diplomatic sensitivities, or operational disruptions.
• Coordinate with central BCM teams to ensure Business Continuity Plans (BCP) and Crisis Management Plans are current, tested, and documented.

Stakeholder & Mission Engagement

• Serve as the senior security interface with embassies, consulates, client missions, regulators, and authorities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with law enforcement and emergency services.
• Ensure all mission‑specific and contractual security requirements are fully embedded and demonstrable.

Budget & Resource Management

• Own and manage the regional security budget.
• Review and approve security‑related CAPEX and OPEX.
• Drive optimisation of guarding models, technology investments, and vendor contracts.

Compliance, Audit & Assurance

• Oversee internal security audits, risk assessment audits (RAA), and external client or regulatory audits.
• Ensure timely and sustainable closure of audit findings.
• Maintain strong MIS, reporting dashboards, and governance documentation.

People Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead, mentor, and develop Regional Security Managers and extended teams.
• Set high standards of professionalism, training, and performance management.
• Promote and embed a strong security and compliance culture across operations.

Key Performance Areas (KRAs)

• Regional security risk posture and incident trends
• Audit outcomes and compliance effectiveness
• Crisis and incident response performance
• Budget control and cost optimisation
• Stakeholder and government mission satisfaction
• Talent development and succession readiness

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject (required)
• Post‑graduate qualification in Security, Risk Management, or related field (preferred)
• Professional certifications in security, investigations, or risk management (preferred)
• Membership of Security Institute or other relevant bodies (preferred)
• Additional languages (preferred)

Experience

• 15+ years of progressive experience in corporate security or related domains
• Proven leadership of multi‑country, multi‑site operations in complex risk environments
• Proven investigations and people management skills
• Experience in government or highly regulated service environments strongly preferred
• Prior exposure to Europe, CIS, and high‑sensitivity markets is a significant advantage
• Law enforcement, military, or intelligence community background preferred but not mandatory

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strategic security leadership and governance
• Geopolitical and regulatory risk awareness
• Crisis and incident leadership under pressure
• Executive communication and stakeholder management
• Strong investigative judgment
• Budgeting and commercial acumen
• Cross‑cultural people leadership
• Ability to operate independently in complex, fast‑paced environments

Additional Information

• Location: London, United Kingdom
• Travel: Frequent international travel across the region
• Work Model: Full‑time, office‑based role (no hybrid or remote working)
• Requires high integrity, discretion, resilience, and flexibility across time zones

Why Join VFS Global?

This role offers a unique opportunity to lead security operations across one of VFS Global’s most complex and strategically significant regions, working closely with governments, diplomatic missions, and senior leadership while shaping the future of regional security governance.

Pay: £110,000.00-£120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Referral programme
• Sick pay

Work Location: In person