Types of career

Job Title
Security Officer

Function
Operations

Brief Description
One of the main customer-facing roles at the airport, Security Officers are part of the team customers rely on to deliver a safe and secure experience in the airport. Security Officers are vigilant and ready to identify potential risks and threats. Security Officers spend time on their feet patrolling the terminal, conducting safety checks on passengers and colleagues, and monitoring access to secure areas.

Key Skills
Teamwork, listening, speaking, staying positive

Entry Routes
Security Officers join from a wide variety of previous roles. Many have experience in frontline customer service roles before Heathrow.

Day in the Life
“Every day is different as a Security Officer, but their main role remains the same, keeping passengers, colleagues and the airport safe.

Security Officers could be on staff posts checking colleagues coming in and out of work, or welcoming passengers through the security checkpoints. This could involve scanning bags and determining if they need to be hand-searched for prohibited items, scanning passengers, directing passengers to the correct areas, or patrolling the airport to make sure everything is safe.

Security officers will regularly attend training to ensure they are up to speed with best practices.”

Fun Fact
Our Security colleagues carry out over 10,000 patrols every year, to keep everyone safe.

Job Title
Security Manager

Function
Operations

Brief Description
Manages a team of Security Officers and one of the first points of contact in Security, balancing customer service and leadership skills.

Key Skills
Leadership, teamwork, problem solving

Entry Routes
Security Managers are often internally promoted Security Officers, or join from a previous management role in customer service.

Day in the Life
“A typical day for a Security Manager involves:
Managing a team of Security Officers
Coaching Security Officers
Making passengers feel welcome and calm in the busy airport environment
Undertaking body and bag searches
Patrolling the airport
Ensuring a smooth process for passengers and colleagues going through security checkpoints
Escalating any security concerns to the Security Operations Manager”

Fun Fact
Our campus security colleagues patrol all eight miles of Heathrow’s perimeter 24hrs a day, every day.

Job Title
Security Operations Manager

Function
Operations

Brief Description
The Security Operations Manager is one of the key decision makers within the airport’s operational team and is responsible for inspiring and motivating a large number of colleagues. They are the main point of escalation for any security-related incident and effectively manage the entire security footprint on shift. They have multiple areas of responsibility including the direct management of Security teams, passenger flow, staff distribution, and act as a key liaison with airlines and the airport’s leadership teams.

Key Skills
Leadership, staying positive, aiming high, teamwork

Entry Routes
Security Operations Managers are often internally promoted Security Managers or have experience in another leadership role in the airport environment.

Day in the Life
“A typical day for a Security Operations Manager involves:
Ensuring their terminal’s security processes run smoothly and efficiently
Providing leadership to the Security team
Acting as a key liaison with stakeholders such as airlines, retailers and the police
Managing any security incidents or escalations in line with airport processes”

Job Title
Aviation Security Compliance Auditor

Function
The Aviation Security Compliance Division is responsible for undertaking compliance monitoring and enforcement functions delegated to it by the Department for Transport (DfT)

Brief Description
To visit, engage with and support directed parties (Airports, Air Carriers, Cargo Entities, Inflight Suppliers and Known Consigners) ensuring that their operations are compliant with over 400 aspects of UK and international regulation.

Key Skills

• Ability to engage with, communicate and influence external stakeholders.
• Knowledge and experience of working within a regulatory environment.
• Ability to interpret and communicate complex findings in a clear and concise manor.

Entry Routes
This is a very diverse workforce with Auditors having come from a number of backgrounds. Prior knowledge of aviation security is not required as full training is provided however a good working knowledge of aviation security and counter terrorism principles is beneficial.

Knowledge and experience of working within a regulatory environment can help, with a number of auditors having come from Police, BorderForce or previously been an investigating officer. Others have come through apprenticeships. But with full training provided there are no restrictions on what experience is required.

Day in the Life
As an auditor no two days are the same. You get to travel around the country visiting many different sites. You may be at a large cargo shed one day, seeing an Aston Martin being searched by dogs, to the Royal Suite at Heathrow the next watching VIPs being searched. The role is incrediably diverse and really interesting.

Fun Fact
You get to see some intersting things being brought through the Security lanes at airports. You also visit caterers, preparing over 10,000 meals a day to send out onto aircraft.