Head of Security Vetting (Operations)

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy. The DWP Vetting Team, part of the Personnel Security and Insider Threat Monitoring Team, provides the National Security Vetting (NSV) service to all staff and contractors whose roles attract NSV in DWP. The Head of Vetting (Operations) (Grade7) will lead the Department’s National Security Vetting Team, ensuring a robust and customer‑focused vetting service across the organisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of a high‑quality vetting service and provide visible leadership for the DWP Vetting Team.
• Drive continuous improvement in operational performance, quality assurance and service standards across pre‑employment screening and review activity.
• Develop and implement measures to improve timeliness, consistency and quality while maintaining compliance with government personnel security policies.
• Use management information, quality data and risk indicators to identify trends, address performance issues and improve outcomes.
• Act as the senior owner for information handling within the vetting service, ensuring compliance with GDPR, Data Protection legislation and relevant Government Security policies.
• Maintain oversight of vetting decisions, ensuring risks are identified, assessed and managed appropriately.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on personnel security matters, applying sound judgement to complex or sensitive cases.
• Ensure robust governance, assurance and escalation processes are in place to protect the Department from insider and personnel security risks.
• Lead the development of policy, guidance and best practice to improve consistency and decision quality in vetting.
• Work closely with Recruitment, HR, Investigations, Digital and Security colleagues to ensure vetting supports effective workforce planning and recruitment outcomes.
• Champion the use of technology, automation and digital solutions to improve service delivery, efficiency and transparency.
• Build effective relationships with stakeholders and suppliers to ensure vetting services remain responsive to departmental needs.
• Provide assurance to senior stakeholders on the effectiveness of personnel security controls, ensuring readiness for internal and external audits.
• Line‑manage staff, develop capability within the team and foster a culture of professionalism, innovation and continuous learning.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading and improving National Security Vetting service delivery.
• Strong knowledge of personnel security, pre‑employment screening and national security vetting processes and associated risks.
• Proven ability to analyse complex information, make evidence‑based decisions and manage high‑risk or sensitive cases.
• Experience of working collaboratively with HR, recruitment, digital and security stakeholders to improve end‑to‑end services.
• Leadership experience with the ability to motivate teams, manage change and drive continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the credibility to influence at senior levels.
• Strong understanding of GDPR, Data Protection legislation and Government Security policies.
• Knowledge of insider risk principles and the contribution of National Security Vetting to wider personnel security and insider risk frameworks.
• Experience of delivering process‑improvement and transformation initiatives, using technology and automation to enhance operational effectiveness and customer experience.