Executive Security Program Advisor - 12-month contract

We are excited to be working with a global financial services firm who are in the early stages of establishing a formal Executive Security programme for its senior leadership and are looking for someone to lead that programme. This London-based role combines strategic leadership with operational oversight and is critical to safeguarding senior leadership and strengthening the global security posture

This is a 12-month full-time contract, based in the City (2 days a week in the office). The client is looking for someone to start ASAP

This isn’t an executive protection role, it’s about:

•      Designing and running a pragmatic, proportionate duty of care programme

•      Coordinating secure travel and local ground arrangements through trusted vendors

•      Leveraging open-source and vendor threat intelligence to inform trips and events

•      Quietly ensuring that senior leaders can do their jobs safely, without disruption

You’ll be joining a tight-knit global team of around 10 based across the globe, with strong vendor support already in place. Minimal travel is expected.

Role profile

Primary Responsibilities – Executive Security Programme Advisor

The successful candidate will provide expert guidance to ensure the protection of senior leadership across global operations. This programme-focused role involves coordinating security measures for executives, their families (where appropriate), and key environments—including offices, residences, travel routes, and high-profile events. The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional judgment, global situational awareness, and the ability to manage risk effectively without disrupting business continuity.

Secondary Responsibilities – Security specialist (30-40% of the time)

The candidate will play a pivotal role in fortifying the broader corporate security framework. This includes managing incidents, driving improvements in security processes, policies, and standards, and supporting the execution of complex, large-scale security initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

•      Provide strategic leadership for global executive protection programmes, ensuring measures are discreet, proportionate, and effective.

•      Assess and mitigate physical, reputational, and geopolitical threats to senior leadership.

•      Oversee security for residences, travel, and high-profile events, including risk assessments and secure logistics.

•      Develop and maintain executive protection policies aligned with business risk appetite and international standards.

•      Deliver threat intelligence briefings to senior leadership and coordinate with internal teams and external partners for integrated security solutions

•      Lead incident management processes of the Global Corporate Security team, including response coordination and post-incident analysis to strengthen organizational resilience.

•      Drive continuous improvement of security processes, policies, and standards to ensure compliance with global regulations and best practices.

•      Support the execution of complex, large-scale security initiatives, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and risk management strategies.

•      Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders (e.g., cybersecurity, legal, compliance, operations) and external partners (e.g., law enforcement, security vendors) to maintain a safe and compliant operational environment.

•      Monitor and evaluate emerging risks and recommend proactive measures to mitigate potential threats across global operations.

•      Provide strategic input into security governance frameworks and contribute to long-term planning for organizational security posture.

Required Skills and Experience

•      Minimum 5-8 years in the corporate security field.

•      Strong understanding of global threat environments, travel risk, surveillance, and protective intelligence.

•      Discretion, sound judgement, and the ability to advise with authority at board level.

•      Experience working internationally, with awareness of local risk dynamics, logistics, and legal considerations.

•      Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with senior leaders while managing risk pragmatically.

•      Proven crisis management experience, including evacuation, medical emergencies, and incident coordination.

•      Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and ability to engage cross-functionally and with senior management.

Desirable

•   Qualifications such as CPP, PSP, CSMP® or relevant military/police protective security training.

•   Background in diplomatic security, management, military, intelligence services, or specialist law enforcement.

•   Experience working with family offices or high-net-worth individuals.

•   Familiarity with cyber-physical threat convergence and executive digital footprint management.

•   Experience in a financial or critical infrastructure setting is preferred.