Below are some of my current Manned Guarding (Ops, sales, back office and Security Officer) vacancies I am handling. If none of my advertised vacancies appeal to you and you are looking for an operational management or sales role I can launch a proactive vacancy search for you. Using my extensive industry contacts I will seek out interesting opportunities that may not be widely advertised. You can be assured that whilst undertaking this type of search, your confidentiality will be retained until interview stage. Please contact us on 07791 590703 or email me   info@fairfordassociates.co.uk if this service is of interest. 

CURRENT LIVE VACANCIES

FA01616 Business Development Manager - Solihull £45k plus commission

FA01615 Finance Manager - Solihull £45k

FA01614 Operations Manager - Bury St. Edmunds £34k-£36k

FA01609 Head of Sales - Anywhere with good transport links £50k-£55k plus commission

FA01608 Group Security Manager - 40 Mins commute of Egham £45k-£50k

FA01603 Business Development Manager - Heathrow/London £45k-£50k plus commission

Full descriptions of the vacancies are below. If you have would like to speak to me further about the role please call me on 0845 434 5734 or email gary@fairfordassociates.co.uk

Ref FA01616 Business Development Manager

Salary: £45k plus commission

Location: Solihull

 

The Opportunity

My client is a long-established security company based in Solihull, West Midlands, providing a wide range of manned security services to a broad and varied client base across the UK. The heart of their business is their people. The business is growing quickly and their future plans are ambitious. I am currently working with them to find an experienced Business Development Manager to join their friendly head office team. 

 

Experience Required

Experience in selling a service on a contract basis is preferred. Experience in the security industry or facilities management industry advantageous. The role of Business Development Manager sits within the dynamic Commercial Team, with the successful applicant reporting to and regularly communicating directly with the CEO. The successful candidate will take ownership of all aspects of the sales cycle, from prospecting and initial introduction to bid writing and beyond, creating and maintaining successful relationships with new and existing clients. This role requires a minimum of 3 days per week in the Solihull office with the core working hours being Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm inclusive of a 30-minute lunch break. 

 

Key Responsibilities

• Generating sales leads, both major blue-chip companies and SME businesses.
• Strong presence on LinkedIn, promoting company content and creating relationships
• Identifying decision makers and potential security guarding requirements
• Maintaining a close relationship with prospects and clients to drive future opportunities
• Business Development: Prospect, nurture and develop new business opportunities to present to the CEO.
• Account Management and Customer Relationships: Ensure a successful working relationship is formed to allow scope for further ad-hoc sales and drive future opportunities. 
• Bid Writing: active involvement in the tender process, completing PQQ, tender submissions and curating winning bids.
• Pricing: Prepare costs and quotations for new and existing customers.
• Commercial Insight: Responsibility for building and maintaining a database of up-to-date prospects.
• The ability to build excellent internal relationships across Commercial and Operational teams. 
• Work closely with the Marketing Team to develop and distribute effective external marketing materials that promote our services to a database of prospective clients. 
• Oversee and maintain prospect pipeline.
• Attend weekly internal sales meetings and provide regular updates to CEO.

 

The Ideal Candidate will have:

• The ability to commute to the Head Office at least three days a week (this is NOT a work from home position)
• A demonstrable history of consistently achieving new business and hitting commercial targets in a service industry role
• Experience of prospecting, negotiating and closing contracted sales
• The ability to build and grow strong relationships across an organisation and with external customers.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing, communication and organisational skills.
• Professional and confident telephone manner
• Passion, enthusiasm and a real willingness to learn about and engage with our business, and both prospective and current clients. The successful candidate will be someone who can live the Company values and understands the company’s commercial story and vision for the future.
  

Salary- £45k basic salary, competitive commission package, 21 days holiday per annum plus all UK Bank Holidays. Holiday entitlement increases by 1 day for each full year’s service, up to a maximum of 25, access to Company-funded gym membership, access to 24-hour free counselling helpline, High-Street discount scheme, contributory pension scheme and free parking at their Head Office. 

To apply or for further information please Click here

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Ref FA01615 Finance Manager

Salary: £45k

Location: Solihull

 

The Opportunity

My client is a long-established security company based in Solihull, West Midlands, providing a wide range of manned security services to a broad and varied client base across the UK. The heart of their business is their people. The business is growing quickly and their future plans are ambitious. I am currently working with them to find a Finance Manager to join their friendly head office based team. The hours of work are 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday at the client’s Head Office in Solihull. There are two Finance Accounts Assistants to oversee, whilst the FM reports into the FD.

 

Main Duties

Oversee all day-to-day finance department functions, including:

• Daily bank processing and reconciliations including updating invoice discounting schedules
• Weekly and monthly sales invoicing using Sage 50 and Timegate rostering management system
• Daily purchase ledger processing
• Credit control
• Monthly Payroll reconciliations
• Lead, manage and mentor junior members of the team.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships.
• Provide and co-ordinate information for all external auditors
• Drive cash flow to maximise available cash.
• Assist in production of annual financial statements.

 

Skills/abilities and Aptitude

• Candidates must be able to commute on a daily basis to Solihull (this is NOT a work from home role)
• Analytical and Strategic thinker
• Strong leadership skills
• Prepared to challenge and drive change.
• Can influence and communicate effectively.
• A positive, can-do attitude
• A demonstrable record of achievement in the implementation and maintenance of financial controls.
• Able to communicate with all levels of the business.
• A proactive team member, capable of undertaking new projects.

 

Experience Required

• Qualified Accountant (ACCA level or above)
• Experience of invoice discounting essential
• Advanced Excel Skills
• Previous experience of working within a busy and fast-growing business
• Previous experience of Sage Line 50

Salary £45,000, 21 days holiday per annum plus all UK Bank Holidays. Holiday increasing by 1 day per year of service up to a maximum of 25, access to company-funded gym membership after successful completion of probationary period, contributory pension scheme, free Head Office parking and access to EV chargers

To apply or for further information please Click here

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Ref FA01614 Operations Manager

Salary: £34,000-£36,000

Location: Bury St. Edmunds

My client was set up in 1985 when the noticed a gap in the market for a more professional, centralised approach to security. From their headquarters in Suffolk, they have grown a respected business that provides a professional, tailored service to an extensive list of clients in the Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Thetford, Ely, Newmarket and Ipswich area. Their relationships with clients have historically tend to be long-lasting, with several contracts dating back to their very early days. Their services include CCTV monitoring; Mobile Patrol and Key holding services and static manned guarding. They are NSI gold accredited and hold approved contractor status with the SIA. I am currently on their behalf looking for an Operations Manager based at their head office. The role is contracted at 48 hours but as a small company with a family run feel they can offer flexibility that a larger organisation cannot, so you will not be chained to your desk, however in return they will expect you to be contactable out of hours to deal with an issue if required.

The Duties

The role has a broad spread of tasks, but the main tasks are as following

• Rostering the business’ officer force of circa 90 using a Logosoft system. The role holder will be the main input for the production of the roster (up to three months in advance). The Officers receive their shifts on a monthly basis, but any changes such as sickness cover, holiday, welfare leave etc would in the main be the Operations Manager’s responsibility. To ensure the best fit of officer to site, the role holder will get to know the officers with regular contact (face to face, via phone and email). To learn their own little foibles, personalities etc. Many of the officers are multi-site trained.
• Taking the lead for NSI gold and SIA audits and inspections.
• Improve policies and procedures
• Undertake the writing of assignment instructions and risk assessments.
• Ensuing customer relationships are maintained and enhanced, ensuring any requests or issues are dealt with as soon as possible.

Candidate requirements

• For this role I am looking for candidates who have a broad knowledge of the operational elements of running manned security services and contracts
• Possess a full UK driving licence
• Ideally reside within 15-20 miles of Bury St Edmonds
• Have a “can do” and “hands on” attitude
• Be a team player
• Possess an entrepreneurial spirit and be forward thinking
• Have a knowledge of electronic security solutions
• Have a desire to progress further in the business into a senior position as well as becoming a shareholder

Salary: £34k-£36k depending on experience, full expensed car, mobile, laptop, 28 days holiday, NEST pension

To apply or for further information please Click here

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Ref FA01609 Head of Sales 

Salary: £50k-£55k plus commission

Location: Candidates can be located in any area with good transport links

My East Midlands based client is a long-established holder of SIA approved contractor status, providing a wide range of manned security and other business services on a nationwide basis in sectors such as corporate, retail, educational and logistics/distribution. Their service offering includes static guarding, keyholding, alarm response, mobile patrols, CCTV monitoring and K9 security. I am currently working in partnership with them to appoint an experienced sales professional into their Head of Sales role. Candidates must have a proven track record and a stable sales career history in the manned security sector and who are looking for a project to build a team and grow the business by £10 million in revenue over 3-4 years. The Head of Sales will be responsible for identifying, developing, and securing new business opportunities to support the company’s commercial growth objectives. The role focuses on building strong client relationships, generating revenue, increasing market presence, and maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction. Targeting contracts in the £5m-£10m bracket across the country in sectors such as construction, local government authorities from schools to NHS, FM Management companies, Ports, Airports, Estate agents, Oil refineries, Car industry, Banks, Pharmaceutical etc Sales opportunities are currently generated from tenders, research from industry sectors for leads, external lead generation company for calls and meetings, organic growth within existing clients. The current sales team comprises of a BDM (who the role holder will manage), a Tender specialist and a FM Coordinator

 

Responsibilities of the role

• Devise and project management a sales department strategy for the required growth levels
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities across target sectors and markets
• Develop and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective clients
• Generate leads through networking, referrals, market research, and business development activities
• Arrange and attend client meetings, presentations, and site visits
• Promote the company’s service and maintain professional representation of the business at all times
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with new and existing clients
• Understand client requirements and provide commercially suitable solutions
• Maintain regular communication with clients to support long – term business relationships
• Support client retention and account growth opportunities
• Prepare quotations, proposals, tenders, and presentations
• Negotiate commercial terms and agreements within authorised limits
• Work towards agreed sales targets, KPIs, and revenue objectives
• Maintain accurate records of opportunities, activity, and sales forecasting
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and industry developments
• Identify opportunities for growth, improvement, and expansion
• Provide feedback and commercial insight to senior management
• Work closely with operational teams to ensure successful mobilisation and service delivery
• Liaise with internal departments including HR, Finance, Operations, and Compliance where required
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the business
• Maintain accurate CRM records and reporting
• Produce regular business development activity reports
• Ensure all proposals and documentation are completed accurately and professionally

 

Required skills and Personal attributes

• Previous experience in business development, sales, or account management within the security industry or a related sector
• Proven ability to generate and convert new business opportunities
• Commercial awareness and negotiation skills
• Possess existing industry contacts/client network with the ability to also to build/ maintain new professional client relationships
• Strong organisational, time management, problem solving, planning and time management skills
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
• Proficient in Microsoft Office with excellent CRM system and presentational skills
• Strong communication, influencing and relationship building skills
• Customer focused with a results driven approach
• Tender writing or proposal management experience
• Full UK driving licence

 

Salary: £50k-£55k plus commission, vehicle can be provided or allowance with fuel card for business mileage

To apply or for further information please Click here

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Ref FA01608 Group Security Manager

Salary: £45k-£50k

Location: Egham (Candidates must reside within 40 minutes travel)

An excellent opportunity has arisen to join an established private security group at a pivotal stage in its development. The organisation holds NSI Gold and SIA ACS accreditation and operates in accordance with ISO 9001, SafeContractor and recognised industry standards. It delivers services across keyholding, mobile security, guarding and control room operations. Following a period of external consultancy support, the company is now seeking to appoint a dedicated in-house Group Security Manager. Reporting to the Directors, this role will provide experienced leadership, business acumen and operational governance across the group, ensuring that security operations are managed consistently, compliantly and in line with company objectives. The successful candidate will bring strong knowledge of codes of practice, quality frameworks and regulatory requirements. They will also have the commercial awareness needed to support an effective, compliant and well-controlled security business. This is a hands-on leadership role with the opportunity to shape standards, improve systems and bring greater consistency across the group. You will play a key role in bringing teams together, strengthening management control and supporting the delivery of professional, reliable and well-managed security services.

 

In this role, you will:

• Oversee keyholding, mobile security, security guarding and control room operations.
• Lead operational planning, resource deployment, service provider performance and business resilience arrangements.
• Manage operational managers, supervisors and team members, including recruitment, supervision, performance, development and accountability.
• Ensure personnel are trained, competent, supported and effective in their roles.
• Maintain strong operational, compliance and health and safety standards across the group.
• Develop, review and maintain company systems, policies, procedures, assignment instructions and operational records.
• Lead and support internal and external audits, ensuring the business remains audit ready.
• Monitor and oversee service quality, operational performance, incident trends, client feedback, customer communications, complaints and agreed improvement actions to ensure services remain compliant, effective and aligned with client and company expectations. This may include reviewing records, supporting investigations, leading investigations where appropriate, overseeing root cause analysis, ensuring corrective actions are completed and escalating serious or recurring issues to the Directors.
• Manage client relationships, stakeholder engagement, complaint resolution and service excellence.
• Support contract mobilisation, service reviews, risk assessments, commercial controls, billing oversight, invoicing matters and liaison with the accounts function.
• Support the use and improvement of operational systems and technology, including rostering, reporting, incident management, key management and workforce management platforms.
• Provide out of hours duty management and management support during periods of absence.

 

About You

The successful candidate will:

• Hold a valid SIA licence in Security Guarding, Door Supervision or Close Protection, with CCTV advantageous.
• Hold a full UK manual driving licence.
• Hold IOSH Managing Safely, issued within the last 3 years, or a NEBOSH General Certificate.
• Have at least 3 years’ experience in a company-wide, multi-site or multi-contract Security Manager or senior operational role within the private security sector.
• Bring strong experience in keyholding, mobile security, security guarding and control room operations.
• Have proven leadership experience, with the ability to manage, motivate, support, develop and hold managers, supervisors and operational team members accountable.
• Understand service agreements, contract performance and the management of third-party labour providers.
• Have experience creating or improving systems, processes, policies and procedures within a security operations environment.
• Possess strong working knowledge of ISO 9001, SIA ACS and relevant security industry standards, including security provision, screening, guarding, keyholding and mobile patrol requirements.
• Have strong planning, organisational and prioritisation skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• Communicate effectively at all levels, both verbally and in writing.
• Be proficient in Microsoft Office, staff rostering systems and other operational technology platforms.
• Be proactive, flexible, enthusiastic and committed to continuous improvement.
• Live within a reasonable commuting distance of Egham, ideally within approx. 40 minutes, due to the need to support emergency callouts and out of hours escalation.
• Have the right to work in the UK and be able to provide a 5-year checkable employment history, including any gaps.

 

Salary of £45,000 to £50,000 per annum, Car allowance with mileage allowance, Private medical, NEST pension, On-site parking and Employee assistance programme. 

To apply or for further information please Click here

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Job ref FA01603 Business Development Manager

Salary: £48k-£50k plus commission and bonus (OTE £75k)

Location: Sales area London and the SE, office based in Heathrow/Hounslow

I am working in partnership with a long established (over twenty-five years) provider of manned guarding and associated services. They are high performing holders of Approved Contractor Status and hold NSI gold medal accreditation. Their aim was to provide high quality, bespoke staffed security services to demanding and discerning customers throughout the United Kingdom. They provide a large variety of internal and external Security Options including: Security Officers, Mobile Services, Graffiti Removal, Electronic Security, Remote Monitoring and a newly launched Cyber Security Training division. The sales department within the company has a very open culture and is geared towards sitting down as a team and finding the best strategy to secure the business. So, for example a BDM may have strong relationships or knowledge of a particular client, sector or geographical area, this knowledge would be utilised in the best possible way to win a contract. As a company they actively create leads although the incumbent will be expected to have their own contacts. They have created a culture within the business that has resulted in extremely stable and supportive operational and sales teams. The position has an annual sales target of £1 million. Commission is paid at 1% to target, 1% bonus for hitting target and 2% above target (this is open ended).

 

What You’ll Be Doing

They are currently looking for an additional Business Development Manager to join their sales team, which currently consists of a Head of Sales, a full-time BDM and a hybrid sales/operations manager. The selling area will be London and the Home Counties. They have an enviable portfolio of well-known clients that includes educational establishments (such as halls of residence), high-end offices, hospitals, local authorities, financial institutions, logistics and manufacturing companies, although over the years they have gained experience in most sectors

About You

• Candidates for the role must be industry experienced, currently working in a similar role or have done so in the last twelve months
• Possess at least two years manned guarding sales experience
• Have an excellent knowledge of the entire sales cycle from initial lead finding through to tendering and closing the sale.
• Possess excellent client engagement, persuasion and communication skills.
• Reside with commuting distance of their offices near Heathrow.

Salary: £48k-£50k basic, plus commission, OTE £75k, 22 days holiday plus Bank Holidays, NEST pension scheme (which can be upgraded). A company car will be supplied or an allowance will be paid, a phone and laptop are supplied.

To apply or for further information please Click here