First Steps into Security Management: Your Guide to a Successful Career in the Security Industry

I couldn’t be more pleased that you’ve decided to build a career in the security industry. Best of all, most companies are crying out for good managers, and many companies these days actively develop their staff and promote from within. With this in mind, if you show the right attitude, enthusiasm, and ability, promotion can be swift.

A lot of the time, however, it will be a case of identifying and seizing opportunities when they arise. Never be shy to put yourself forward to your bosses as someone who wants to move up the ranks.

Seizing Opportunities

Let me share a success story: I had a couple of superb security officers start on a big contract I was managing in December 2021. They made themselves so useful, organising duties and helping other officers, that by March they had both been promoted to shift supervisors. After some additional training and mentorship, one was promoted to operations manager and the other, who was more admin-focused, was made an operations support manager. This all happened within just 10 months!

It can be done, and the important thing to remember is that, regardless of how long it takes, you can reach the very top. The only thing that will really prevent your success is you.

Choosing Your Path

There are lots of routes to the boardroom, so choose your direction wisely. Getting stuck doing work that you don’t enjoy can be soul-destroying. You’ll know when you’re on the right path, and you will hear this from many successful managers. You’ll get a buzz from solving problems, or when your team is praised, or when a client gives your officers an outstanding appraisal during a KPI meeting.

Early Steps in Your Management Career

Supervisor

Many security companies have different supervisory roles. From site supervisors to mobile supervisors, this will be, in most cases, your first step on the promotion ladder. You will need empathy, patience, and great organisational skills, as you will be the first stop for the problems of the security officers under you and the first port of call, in many cases, when a client has a problem. You will learn fast, and if you haven’t been put off the industry altogether, this will be the springboard to your first proper management role.

Site Security Manager

Clients at most large sites or on big contracts often want someone from the contract security company to have day-to-day responsibility for the security officers deployed at their premises. You may have shift supervisors working under you, but it will fall to you to be the problem solver and the buffer between the client and the security company. You will learn about rostering, holiday entitlement, and the laws around working times. You will also almost certainly be responsible for discipline and escalating any big issues to your employer and their HR department where required. The bottom line is that the security company will expect you to keep the client happy by making sure that all officers on-site perform to the best of their ability. If you get a buzz when things are done well, you are probably on the right course in your management career.

Contract Managers / Area Managers / Operations Managers

I’ve been in the industry for what feels like a million years, and I still find companies that use these terms interchangeably. Basically, you will need all of your diplomacy and problem-solving skills, as it will be your responsibility to keep clients happy and your security officers performing well at a number of sites or across a portfolio of contracts. There are few more responsible roles in security management, as you can go from a client-pleasing hero to a disaster-overseeing zero in the blink of an eye.

Key to success here is the relationship with the client. Make friends with them. Be on-site a lot and be there when they need you. If there is a huge security-related disaster on-site, it is far easier for a client who hardly knows you to tell you that they are terminating the contract than it would be for a client who you took out for lunch two days ago and who you play golf with. Regardless of the rights and wrongs, human nature dictates that people do not want to cause problems for people they like and consider friends. Next steps in these roles normally look like national account management, senior contracts managers, or even operations directors!

Operations Support Managers

Your next steps on the management ladder do not have to be client-facing at all. Normally, for every couple of area managers, there is an operations support manager back at the office. It is your responsibility to do the admin. Get the uniform ordered and distributed, chase up the vetting of new recruits, approve and cover leave periods, sort out rostering, organise training… You get the picture. If your skills lie in organisation and administration rather than being out on-site trying to keep officers and clients happy face-to-face, maybe this is for you. You will be busy, so attention to detail and time management are crucial to success here. Achieving in this sort of support role does not stop you from progressing. Next steps could be in the field of compliance, marketing, communications, or several other fields.

Training and Development Managers

Most of the larger security companies have this sort of role. Normally attached to the HR department and working closely with operations management to develop and deliver specific training requirements over and above the mandatory SIA courses according to the varied needs of your clients. You will need first-class communication skills, some form of group or one-on-one training certificate, and a love of imparting knowledge. Future career steps include potentially progressing within an HR department, developing policies and procedures for training at a senior level, or even becoming a freelance or self-employed SIA training instructor.

Find Your Joy

There really is a great deal of choice, but I can’t emphasise enough: do not get stuck doing something that you do not enjoy. It is never too late to change course, no matter what stage of your career you are at. Whatever role you find yourself in, you are helping to mould security officers into professionals and will be playing a more strategic role in keeping your company’s clients, employees, and premises safe.

Conclusion

Embarking on a career in security management can be both rewarding and challenging. As you navigate your way through the various roles and opportunities, remember that your passion, dedication, and willingness to learn will be your greatest assets.

At Get Licensed, we are committed to helping you achieve your career goals in the security industry. We provide a range of courses and certifications, including the mandatory SIA training, to equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed. Our comprehensive resources and expert guidance ensure that you are well-prepared to take on new challenges and advance in your career. Whether you are just starting out or looking to climb the management ladder, Get Licensed is here to support you every step of the way. Join us and let’s build a safer, more secure future together.