group physical security manager

Job Title: Group Physical Security Manager

Location: Based in one of AT's OpCo or regional hub

Reporting To: Director – Resilience, Business Continuity & Crisis Management

ROLE SUMMARY

The Group Physical Security Manager is responsible for defining and overseeing AXIAN Group's physical security strategy and operations across all operating countries. The role ensures consistent application of Group security policies, standards, and minimum controls, while tailoring implementation to local risk profiles. It provides central oversight and assurance, enabling effective execution by OpCos and third-party providers.

As a core component of the Group Resilience ecosystem, the role integrates physical security with enterprise risk management, business continuity, crisis management, and duty of care to protect people, assets, infrastructure, and reputation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Group Security Strategy & Governance:

• Support to develop, maintain, and implement the Group Physical Security Strategy, aligned with AXIAN's Resilience, ERM, BCM, and Crisis Management frameworks.

• Define and enforce Group Physical Security Policies, Standards, and Minimum Requirements across all operating countries.

• Establish and maintain a Group Security Operating Model, clarifying roles, escalation paths, decision rights, and interfaces between Group, OpCo, and vendors.

• Ensure alignment with applicable local legal requirements and international standards (e.g., ISO 22301, ISO 27001 interfaces, ISO 31000, ISO 18788 where relevant).

2. Multi-Country Security Operations Oversight:

• Coordinate and oversee physical security operations across all AXIAN operating countries, including:

o Facilities and perimeter security

o Guard force management

o Access control and surveillance

o Executive and travel security

• Provide functional guidance and oversight to Country / Regional Security Managers or Coordinators.

• Standardize and support the management of security service providers, including vendor selection, SLAs, performance monitoring, and audits.

• Ensure consistent incident reporting, investigation, and escalation across the Group.

3. Security Risk & Threat Management:

• Lead and coordinate security risk assessments, threat assessments, and vulnerability reviews across sites and countries.

• Monitor and assess geopolitical, civil unrest, crime, terrorism, insider threat, and emerging physical security risks.

• Maintain a consolidated Group Physical Security Risk Register, aligned with the Group ERM framework.

• Recommend mitigation strategies and support management decisions on risk treatment and acceptance.

4. Incident, Crisis & Emergency Management:

• Lead or coordinate the response to major physical security incidents and ensure effective incident containment and recovery.

• Act as a key member of the Group and OpCo Crisis Management Teams, providing security intelligence, situational awareness, and operational coordination.

• Support activation and execution of emergency, evacuation, and crisis management procedures.

• Ensure post-incident reviews, root cause analysis, and integration of lessons learned.

5. Facilities, Infrastructure & Asset Protection:

• Ensure appropriate physical security controls (CCTV, access control, perimeter protection, alarm systems) are designed, implemented, and maintained.

• Provide security input into the protection of critical telecom infrastructure, data centers, offices, and strategic assets.

• Support new site development, market entry, and major projects with security risk assessments and design input.

6. Travel, Executive & Duty of Care Security:

• Oversee travel risk management, journey management plans, and high-risk country protocols.

• Coordinate executive protection requirements where applicable.

• Work closely with HR, HSES, Medical, and Travel teams to strengthen employee safety and duty of care programs.

7. Monitoring, Reporting & Assurance:

• Establish and maintain security KPIs, KRIs, dashboards, and reporting mechanisms.

• Provide regular reporting to the Director – Resilience, BCM & Crisis Management and Group Management on:

o Security incidents and trends

o Risk exposure and mitigation status

o Compliance with Group standards

• Support internal audits, compliance reviews, and regulatory engagements related to physical security.

• Support deployment and optimization of security technologies and platforms (CCTV, access control, SIEM interfaces).

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance security maturity and operational resilience across the Group.

• Promote security awareness and training programs to strengthen a risk-aware culture.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in Security Management, Risk Management, Criminology, Law Enforcement, or related field

• Master's degree preferred

• Professional Certifications (Preferred)

o CPP (Certified Protection Professional)

o PSP (Physical Security Professional)

o BCM / Crisis Management certifications (advantage)

o CISSP or cyber-related certifications (advantage)

• Experience

o 8–12+ years of experience in corporate or group security roles

o Proven experience managing physical security in multi-country or multinational environments, preferably in emerging markets

o Strong exposure to incident response, crisis management, and business continuity integration

o Experience operating in matrixed organizations with Group and OpCo interfaces

KEY SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Security risk assessment and mitigation planning

• Crisis leadership and decision-making under pressure

• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills

• Familiarity with modern security technologies and platforms

• Structured reporting, analytics, and executive communication

• Cultural awareness and ability to operate across diverse geographies

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

• Fluent English (mandatory)

• French proficiency (highly desirable)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Role requires regular regional travel

• Participation in 24/7 on-call crisis and emergency response as required