Senior Manager Physical Security

Key accountabilities and decision ownership

Physical security strategy and governance

• Define, implement and maintain the local physical security strategy, policies, standards and procedures in alignment with Vodacom Group requirements and local legal obligations.
• Provide leadership and oversight on all matters relating to the protection of employees, customers, visitors, assets, facilities, warehouses, retail outlets and critical network infrastructure.
• Ensure physical security risks are identified, assessed, monitored, reported and mitigated through appropriate preventive and corrective controls.

Sites, buildings and infrastructure security

• Oversee the security of all Vodacom sites and buildings, including headquarters, regional offices, technical sites, warehouses, retail locations and other business premises.
• Ensure effective implementation of access control, visitor management, guarding, CCTV monitoring, alarm response and other protective measures.
• Conduct regular security assessments and recommend improvements to strengthen protection of premises, assets and critical infrastructure.

Incident management and threat response

• Coordinate the response to physical security incidents, threats, thefts, intrusions, vandalism, civil unrest, workplace violence and other events that may affect people, assets or operations.
• Ensure security incidents are properly recorded, investigated, escalated and closed with clear root causes, lessons learned and corrective actions.
• Support crisis management and business continuity activities where physical security risks may impact operations.

People, travel and event security

•  Ensure appropriate security arrangements are in place for employees travelling for business, executive movements, field missions and company events.
•  Provide security advice, briefings and awareness sessions to employees, contractors and relevant stakeholders.
• Coordinate security planning for high-risk movements, VIP visits, corporate events and activities in sensitive locations.

Security contractors and service providers management

• Manage outsourced security service providers, including guarding companies, alarm response providers and other physical security contractors.
•  Monitor contractor performance against agreed service levels, contractual obligations, compliance requirements and operational expectations.
• Review security costs, support budget planning and ensure value for money in the delivery of security services.

Stakeholder engagement and external liaison

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with law enforcement agencies, government security bodies, emergency services and relevant external stakeholders.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders including Technology, Facilities, Retail, Supply Chain, Legal, HR, Compliance and Regional teams on security-related matters.
•  Collect, assess and share relevant security information that may impact Vodacom people, assets, customers or operations.

 Reporting, compliance and continuous improvement

• Prepare and present regular physical security reports, dashboards, KPIs, risk updates and incident trends to management and relevant governance forums.
• Ensure compliance with internal security policies, Group standards, contractual requirements and applicable laws and regulations.
• Drive continuous improvement of physical security controls, procedures, training, incident response capability and overall security culture.

Core competencies, knowledge and experience

• Strong knowledge of physical security management, including access control, guarding operations, CCTV, alarm response, site protection and security risk assessments.
•  Ability to design, implement and monitor physical security policies, standards, procedures and operating controls across multiple sites and business locations.
• Excellent incident management, emergency response and crisis coordination skills.
• Strong analytical and risk assessment skills to identify threats, assess vulnerabilities and recommend effective mitigation measures.
• Proven ability to manage outsourced security service providers, monitor service levels and enforce contractual performance standards.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage teams, coordinate cross-functional stakeholders and drive a security-conscious culture.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to engage senior leaders, law enforcement agencies, government bodies and external partners.
• Good understanding of business continuity, crisis management, workplace safety and operational resilience principles.
• Ability to prepare clear security reports, dashboards, KPIs, incident trend analysis and management presentations.
• Budgeting, cost control and vendor management skills related to security operations and service contracts.
• Ability to manage priorities, deadlines and sensitive security matters in a fast-paced and high-risk environment.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken; French or local language proficiency would be an advantage

Must have technical / professional qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Security Management, Risk Management, Criminology, Law, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field.
• Professional certification in physical security, security management, risk management, investigations, crisis management or business continuity would be an advantage.
• Minimum of 8 to 10 years’ experience in physical security, corporate security, risk management, law enforcement, military, telecoms security, infrastructure protection or a related field.
• At least 3 to 5 years’ experience in a managerial or senior supervisory role, leading security teams, contractors or multi-site security operations.
• Demonstrated experience in managing guarding services, access control, CCTV, alarm response, site security, executive protection, event security or critical infrastructure security.
• Experience in incident response, investigations, crisis management, emergency coordination and security risk assessments.
• Good knowledge of applicable local laws, regulatory requirements, security standards, occupational safety requirements and corporate governance expectations.
• Experience working with multiple internal and external stakeholders, including senior management, law enforcement agencies, government security bodies, emergency services and security service providers.