Head of Security (SCE-DHO-2026-77-LD)

Introduction

Join CERN and lead the Security Service of the world’s largest particle physics laboratory. In this key leadership role within the Site and Civil Engineering (SCE) Department, you will shape and implement the Organisation’s security strategy, ensuring the protection of people, assets, and infrastructure across sites in France and Switzerland.

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven, international environment where operational excellence and strategic foresight go hand in hand.

Functions

• Define, maintain, and continuously develop CERN’s overall security strategy, preparing proposals and recommendations for the Directorate.
• Lead and organize the Security Service, ensuring effective team management, clear allocation of responsibilities, performance monitoring, and prioritisation of activities.
• Develop, obtain approval for, and oversee the implementation of CERN’s security policy, including principles governing site access rights.
• Plan, validate, and supervise special security arrangements for high-level visits and major events (e.g. official delegations, anniversaries, open days), ensuring appropriate prioritisation of resources.
• Represent the Security Service internally and externally, working closely with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Define the contractual strategy for security services, including the preparation, issuance, and lifecycle management of tenders and contracts, ensuring performance monitoring, service quality, continuous improvement, and compliance with agreed standards.
• Define security requirements and provide recommendations for new infrastructures and major renovation projects, including critical installations, while ensuring continuous monitoring of developments in security technologies, methodologies, and equipment, and proposing improvements adapted to CERN’s environment.

Master's degree or equivalent relevant experience in the field of Security Management, Criminology, Law Enforcement, Public Security, Risk Management or a related field.

Formal training or certification in security management, crisis management, law enforcement command, or protective security is an asset.

Experience:

• Proven experience in managing security strategy, contracts and operations within an institutional environment (police, state security, military) or within a large industrial site, university campus, international organisation, or comparable complex environment.
• Solid background in risk assessment, threat analysis, incident management, corrective measures, and business continuity planning is highly desirable.
• Good knowledge of Swiss and/or French legal and judicial frameworks, or experience working within comparable national systems, with the ability to interact effectively with public authorities and security services.
• Experience in managing security arrangements for high-level visits, official delegations or major events.
• Capacity to translate operational expertise into clear security procedures, requirements and protective measures adapted to a complex international environment.

Technical competencies:

• Team management.
• Development of vision and strategy.
• Personnel and material resources planning.
• Contract management.
• Organisation, planning and control.

Behavioural competencies:

• Solving Problems: identifying, defining and assessing problems, taking action to address them.
• Working in the Interest of the Organisation: behaving consistently with CERN's values and goals.
• Creating Vision and Strategic Partnerships: ensuring alignment to overall strategy when revising unit goals and priorities in the event of changing circumstances.
• Setting Direction: coordinating activities and focusing team on goals and objectives; monitoring progress of team towards agreed goals and taking corrective action when needed.
• Demonstrating Accountability: working conscientiously and reliably; delivering on promises.

Language skills:

Spoken and written French, with a commitment to learn English.

Eligibility and closing date:

Diversity has been an integral part of CERN's mission since its foundation and is an established value of the Organisation. Employing a diverse workforce is central to our success. We welcome applications from all Member States and Associate Member States.

This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should normally reach us no later than 30.04.2026 at 23:59 CEST.

Employment Conditions

Contract type: Limited duration contract (5 years). Subject to certain conditions, holders of limited-duration contracts may apply for an indefinite position.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week

Job Flexibility: Fully Onsite

This position involves:

• Residence in the immediate vicinity of the Organisation's installations.
• Interventions in underground installations.
• A valid driving licence.
• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organisation.
• Stand-by duty, when required by the needs of the Organisation.

Job grade: 6-7

Job reference: SCE-DHO-2026-77-LD

Field of work: Support Services (Finance, HR, Legal, Procurement)

Benchmark Job Title: Communications/Public Relations /External Relations Professional

Global Benefits

• A competitive salary (tax free), increasing in line with your years of relevant experience.
• 30 days of paid leave per year plus 2 weeks annual closure.
• Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive health insurance scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
• Family, child and infant monthly allowances depending on your individual circumstances.
• A relocation package (installation grant, removal, travel expenses) depending on your individual circumstances.
• Possibility to extend your contract up to 8 years + eligibility for indefinite contract tenure.

Overview of CERN - Discover a world where the impossible is made possible!

At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, we are pushing the frontiers of science and technology. Our groundbreaking work brings together not only physicists but also a diverse range of professionals from engineering, technical, scientific, and administrative fields. Together, we foster an environment where innovation and collaboration thrive.

Every day, we face exciting new challenges and opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge research that shapes our understanding of the universe. We meet these challenges through the diverse perspectives within our teams, ensuring every contribution is valued and driving our shared sense of inclusion and purpose. Diversity is a core value of CERN since its foundation, and it remains central to our mission and continued success.

If you are ready to be part of a dynamic, inclusive community pushing the boundaries of knowledge, CERN is the place where your curiosity and skills can thrive. Be part of our mission to uncover what lies at the heart of the universe! TAKE PART!

More information about us, here: careers.cern