Personnel Security Operations Lead Specialist - Programma GCAP

Job Description:

Leonardo is an international industrial group, among the main global realities in Aerospace, Defense and Security that creates multi-domain technological capabilities in Helicopters, Aircraft, Aerostructures, Electronics, Cyber Security and Space. With over 60,000 employees worldwide, the company has a solid industrial presence in Italy, the United Kingdom, Poland, the United States, and operates in 150 countries also through controlled companies, joint ventures and participations. A protagonist of the main strategic programs at a global level, it is a technological and industrial partner of Governments, Defense Administrations, Institutions and companies.

Leonardo is one of the strategic industrial partners of the GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme) program, together with the British BAE Systems and the Japanese Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, aimed at the development and creation of a new generation air system, defined as a “system of systems”. Used for multi-domain operations in the defense sector, the system will be characterized by a “core platform” connected with other peripheral “adjuncts” systems, piloted and unpiloted.

The program, one of the most challenging and futuristic for the aerospace and defense industry, will guide the technological revolution that will characterize the sector in the next fifty years. A challenge aimed at strengthening the technological and industrial sovereignty of the countries involved, because it aims to identify and make available those innovative technologies, called enabling technologies, which will ensure the generational leap, generating positive returns and economic and social progress for the entire country system, to the benefit of new generations.

The resources who will work within this program will have the opportunity to access a professional growth path in an international and technologically advanced context.

Within the Joint Venture established for the realization of the GCAP Program, we are looking for the figure of Personnel Security Operations Lead Specialist for the GCAP Headquarters located in Reading (UK).

OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The Personnel Security Operations Lead Specialist is a strategic figure responsible for the definition, governance and supervision of the organization's personnel security framework. The role leads a team of three tri-national specialists tasked with ensuring that all people with access to the organization's human resources, assets and information meet the highest security standards.

As a Subject Matter Expert, the position holder guides the implementation of personnel security policies, makes complex decisions regarding risk and provides authoritative guidance to senior stakeholders in the organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The resource will be part of the Operations function for the JV and will report directly to the Interim HQ Operations Manager.

TASKS:

Team Management

• Responsible for the performance of a team of three tri-national specialists in personnel security.

Strategic Leadership and Governance

• Lead Edgewing's personnel security operations, ensuring alignment with company policies on Personnel Security, with the risk management framework and with organizational objectives.

• Act as a senior reference for vetting processes, internal risk mitigation (insider risk) and security clearance management.

• Provide specialist advice to executive leadership, HR, Legal and operational teams on high-risk or particularly sensitive personnel security cases.

• Oversee compliance with national security frameworks in UK/Italy/Japan, regulatory requirements (e.g. Industry Personnel Security Assurance – IPSA) and industry standards.

Vetting Process Supervision

• Direct and guarantee the quality of all personnel vetting activities, ensuring solid, consistent and timely decisions.

• Manage complex or escalated vetting cases, including those with high risk, sensitive roles or exceptional circumstances.

• Build and maintain solid relationships with GIGO, government vetting bodies, external agencies and key partners.

• In close collaboration with the vetting teams of the parent companies (Parent Company), manage personnel verification processes, ensuring that seconded employees at Edgewing have the necessary security clearances before onboarding and for the entire duration of the secondment.

Risk Management and Internal Threats

• Lead personnel security risk assessment processes, ensuring that risks are effectively identified, analyzed and mitigated.

• Oversee internal risk detection and management activities (insider threat), in collaboration with Security, HR and Legal.

• Provide senior input to investigations relating to personnel security breaches or behavioral problems.

Policy, Assurance and Continuous Improvement

• Be responsible for the definition and continuous updating of standards and procedures regarding personnel security, in coherence with Edgewing's Personnel Security Policy.

• Define performance metrics, assurance mechanisms and reporting frameworks to monitor the effectiveness of personnel security controls.

• Promote innovation and improvement in vetting processes, technologies and case management systems.

Stakeholder Involvement and Leadership

• Influence and raise awareness among senior management on risks, trends and best practices in personnel security.

• Represent the organization in intergovernmental or sector forums, working groups and strategic initiatives in the security field.

• Provide mentoring and support to junior team members, promoting a culture of professionalism and high performance.

REQUIREMENTS:

Educational qualification: Diploma or equivalent qualification in the security field.

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

Essential requirements:

• Significant experience in personnel security, vetting operations, or national security contexts.

• In-depth knowledge of UK/Italy/Japan security clearance frameworks (e.g. BPSS, SC, DV, PSC).

• Proven ability to make complex risk decisions and provide authoritative advice at a senior level.

• Strong leadership, stakeholder management and communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and integrity.

Preferential requirements:

• Experience in governmental contexts, defense, critical national infrastructures or regulated sectors.

• Knowledge of insider risk programs and behavioral risk indicators.

• Familiarity with case management systems or security vetting platforms.

Transversal Skills (Soft Skills):

Essential requirements:

• Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience of cross-functional interaction.

• Pragmatic and business-oriented decision-making ability.

• Proven problem solving skills (analytical and lateral thinking) on complex issues.

• Ability to build trusting relationships at all levels of the organization.

• Good written, verbal and presentation skills.

• Ability to work in a team.

• Ability to independently manage one's areas of responsibility, with clear awareness of one's decision-making scope.

Personal characteristics:

• Strategic vision with the ability to balance operational needs and long-term security objectives.

• Decision-making security, particularly in ambiguous or high-pressure contexts.

• High personal credibility, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and provide constructive challenge.

• Strong commitment to maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality, ethics and professionalism.

Language skills: English C1

Leonardo is an international industrial group and one of the world’s leading players in Aerospace, Defense, and Security, specialized in multi-domain technological capabilities in the fields of Helicopters, Aircraft, Aerostructures, Electronics, Cyber Security, and Space. With over 60,000 employees worldwide, the company has a strong industrial presence in Italy, the United Kingdom, Poland, and the United States, and operates in 150 countries, including through subsidiaries, joint ventures, and investments. A key player in major global strategic programs, Leonardo is a technological and industrial partner for governments, defense administrations, institutions, and businesses.

Introduction to GCAP:

Leonardo is one of the strategic industrial partners in the GCAP (Global Combat Air Program), alongside the UK’s BAE Systems and Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. This program aims to develop and deliver a next-generation air system, defined as a “system of systems.” Used for multi-domain defense operations, the system will feature a “core platform” connected to other peripheral systems, or “adjuncts,” both manned and unmanned.

This program, one of the most ambitious and forward-thinking in the aerospace and defense industries, will drive the technological revolution that will define the sector for the next fifty years. It is a challenge aimed at strengthening the technological and industrial sovereignty of the participating countries, as it focuses on identifying and making available enabling technologies that will ensure a generational leap. These technologies will generate positive returns, contributing to the economic and social progress of the entire nation, benefiting future generations.

Those working on this program will have the opportunity to access a career growth path in an internationally competitive and technologically advanced environment.

JOB TITLE:

Within the GCAP Joint Venture Security, we are looking for a Personnel Security Operations Lead Specialist for GCAP HQ in Reading (UK).

JOB PURPOSE:

The Personnel Security Operations Lead Specialist is a strategic leader responsible for shaping, governing and overseeing the organisation’s personnel security framework. This role leads a team of three tri-national officers responsible for ensuring that all individuals with access to the organisation’s people, assets, and information meet the highest security standards. Operating as a subject-matter expert, the postholder drives personnel security policy implementation, leads complex risk decisions, and provides authoritative guidance to senior stakeholders across the organisation.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The role will be part of the Operations function for the JV and will report directly to the Interim HQ Operations Manager.

OBJECTIVES:

Line Management

• Performance manager for a team of three tri-national personnel security specialists

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Lead Edgewing’s personnel security operations, ensuring alignment with Edgewing personnel security policies, wider risk and organisational objectives.

• Act as the senior authority on personnel vetting, insider-risk mitigation and clearance management.

• Provide expert advice to executive leadership, HR, legal and operational teams on high-risk or sensitive personnel security matters.

• Oversee compliance with UK/IT/JP national security frameworks, regulatory requirements such as Industry Personnel Security Assurance (IPSA) and industry standards.

Personnel Vetting Oversight

• Direct and quality-assure all personnel vetting operations, ensuring robust, consistent, and timely decision-making.

• Manage escalated or complex vetting cases, including those involving significant risk, sensitive roles, or exceptional circumstances.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with GIGO, government vetting bodies, external agencies and key partners.

• Working closely with Parent Company (PC) vetting teams, manage personnel security vetting processes ensuring Edgewing secondees have the appropriate security clearances in place prior to onboarding and for the duration of their secondment.

Risk Management & Insider Threat

• Lead the organisation’s personnel security risk assessment processes, ensuring risks are identified, evaluated and mitigated effectively.

• Oversee insider-risk detection and response activities, working closely with security, HR and legal teams.

• Provide senior-level input into investigations involving personnel security breaches or behavioural concerns.

Policy, Assurance & Continuous Improvement

• Own and continuously refine personnel security standards and procedures adhering to Edgewing Personnel Security Policy.

• Establish performance metrics, assurance mechanisms and reporting frameworks to monitor the effectiveness of personnel security controls.

• Drive innovation and improvement in vetting processes, technology and case management systems.

Stakeholder Engagement & Leadership

• Influence and educate senior leaders on personnel security risks, trends and best practices.

• Represent the organisation in cross-government or industry security forums, working groups and strategic initiatives.

• Mentor and support junior personnel security staff, fostering a culture of professionalism and high performance.

REQUIREMENTS:

Qualification: Diploma or equivalent security related qualification

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

Essential requirements:

• Significant experience in personnel security, vetting operations, or national security environments.

• Deep understanding of UK/IT/JP security clearance frameworks (e.g., BPSS, SC, DV, PSC).

• Proven ability to lead complex risk decisions and provide authoritative advice at senior levels.

• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive information with discretion and integrity.

Desirable requirements:

• Experience working in government, defence, critical national infrastructure, or regulated industries.

• Knowledge of insider-risk programmes and behavioural risk indicators.

• Familiarity with case management systems or security vetting platforms.

Soft Skills:

Essential requirements:

• Strong stakeholder management skills with a track record of communicating across multiple functions

• Ability for pragmatic decision making / ability to work with the business

• Proven problem solving (forward, lateral thinking) credentials in relation to complex issues

• Capacity to build trustful relationships on all levels of the organization

• Good written, verbal and presentation skills

• Ability to work within a team

• Manages own areas of responsibility on a project and understands areas of personal responsibility.

Personal Attributes:

• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance operational demands and long-term security objectives

• Confident decision-maker, especially in ambiguous or high-pressure situations.

• Highly credible, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and challenge constructively.

• Committed to maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality, ethics and professionalism.

Language skills: English C1

Seniority:

Esperto

Primary Location:

IT - Roma - Via Montello

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hybrid Working:

Ibrido