Job Description:

Leonardo is an international industrial group, one of the world's leading companies in Aerospace, Defense and Security, which 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 subsidiaries, joint ventures and shareholdings. 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), together with the British BAE Systems and the Japanese Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, aimed at the development and implementation 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, for 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 implementation of the GCAP Program, we are looking for a Personnel Security Operations Lead Specialist for the GCAP Headquarters located in Reading (UK).

THE ROLE INVOLVES A MINIMUM ASSIGNMENT PERIOD AT THE READING (UK) SITE OF 3 YEARS

ASSIGNMENT OBJECTIVE:

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 individuals with access to human resources, assets and information of the organization meet the highest security standards.

As a Subject Matter Expert, the position holder leads the implementation of personnel security policies, makes complex decisions in the risk area and provides authoritative guidance to senior stakeholders of 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 corporate policies on Personnel Security, with the risk management framework and with organizational objectives.

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

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

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

Vetting Processes Supervision

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

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

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

• In close collaboration with the vetting teams of the parent companies, 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 identified, analyzed and effectively mitigated.

• Supervise insider threat detection and management activities, in collaboration with Security, HR and Legal.

• Provide senior input to investigations related to personnel security breaches or behavioral issues.

Policy, Assurance and Continuous Improvement

• Be responsible for the definition and continuous updating of standards and procedures in personnel security, consistent 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 Engagement and Leadership

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

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

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

REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Diploma or equivalent qualification in security.

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 decisions in the risk area and to provide authoritative advice at a senior level.

• Strong leadership, stakeholder management and communication skills.

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

Preferential requirements:

• Experience in government contexts, defense, critical national infrastructure or regulated sectors.

• Knowledge of insider risk programs and behavioral risk indicators.

• Familiarity with case management systems or security vetting platforms.

Cross-functional Skills (Soft Skills):

Essential requirements:

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

• 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 communication skills.

• Teamwork attitude.

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

Personal Characteristics:

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

• Decision-making security, especially 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

Engagement, enhancement of skills, attention to the well-being and safety of people are the cornerstones of our corporate culture. Every day we strive to foster an inclusive and stimulating work environment, actively promoting the principles of inclusion, equity and valuing diversity. What do we offer?

• Our collective labor agreement of reference is the CCNL for Private Metalworking Industry and Plant Installation;

• Work mode: Hybrid;

• Contractual category: Employee;

• Contract type: permanent;

• Salary range: 35,000 € - 54,000 € RAL

• Thirteenth month's salary;

• Bonuses linked to Business results;

• Welfare vouchers worth 250 euros per year;

• Opportunities for continuous training and updating of professional and soft skills;

• Well-being: we put the economic, physical, social and psychological well-being of our people first, offering multiple solutions close to their needs.

The company reserves the right to make evaluations regarding the level of classification and the economic proposal, based on objective criteria that emerged during the selection process and in consistency with the seniority of the identified candidate and the position, in compliance with the principles of fairness, transparency and equal opportunities provided for by current legislation.

How does the selection process work?

Following the collection of applications, the CVs most in line with the required requirements are evaluated and identified. Selected candidates undergo an introductory interview with the Human Resources team, motivational and aptitude, followed by an in-depth technical interview with the Business. At the end of the process, the person receives feedback, both in case of a positive and negative outcome.

Seniority: Expert

Primary Location: IT - Roma - Via Montello

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid