Security Manager

Role Overview

This leadership position is responsible for safeguarding a busy hotel environment, protecting guests, staff, and property around the clock. The role combines operational oversight of surveillance and access systems with hands-on incident management, team leadership, and close collaboration with local authorities and emergency services. By maintaining rigorous procedures and a visible security presence, the role directly contributes to the hotel's reputation and the confidence of everyone on site.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the hotel's daily security function, coordinating shifts, patrols, and responses so that all areas remain protected and any vulnerabilities are addressed promptly.
• Create and refine security policies, risk assessments, access-control standards, and theft-prevention programs, updating them regularly to match changing threats and operational realities.
• Oversee the full suite of security infrastructure, including CCTV networks, alarm systems, key management, and entry points, ensuring everything is functional and actively monitored.
• Direct the response to incidents such as theft, disturbances, fires, or medical emergencies; preserve evidence, interview witnesses, document findings, and notify senior management and law enforcement when necessary.
• Design emergency action plans and evacuation protocols, scheduling realistic drills and exercises so staff remain ready for crisis scenarios.
• Build and manage a professional security team, setting clear expectations, assigning duties, coaching performance, and addressing conduct or service issues effectively.
• Guarantee alignment with Kenyan safety legislation, occupational health standards, brand requirements, and accepted industry best practices for hotels and hospitality venues.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the hotel and external security providers, police, fire rescue, medical services, and other response agencies, maintaining strong working relationships.
• Train employees across departments in personal safety, emergency response, and loss prevention, encouraging a culture where security is treated as everyone's responsibility.
• Keep complete records of incidents, patrol logs, equipment checks, and investigations, and offer management clear updates, realistic recommendations, and emerging risk insights.

Requirements & Qualifications

Essential:

• Diploma or bachelor's degree in security management, criminology, risk management, defence studies, business administration, or an equivalent discipline.
• Recognised security certification or specialised professional training demonstrating up-to-date knowledge of modern security practice.
• At least five years of work in security roles, with a minimum of two to three years in a supervisory or managerial capacity directing other officers.
• Proven operational leadership in a hotel, hospitality, corporate, commercial, or similarly demanding environment where multiple risks must be balanced.
• Strong grasp of physical security operations, investigation techniques, incident reporting, emergency coordination, and proactive risk reduction.
• Hands-on competence with CCTV, access control systems, alarm monitoring, and other electronic security tools, including diagnosing faults and using footage for investigations.
• Solid working knowledge of Kenyan security legislation, occupier liability requirements, and occupational health and safety regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to cooperate with police, emergency services, and third-party security contractors in time-sensitive situations.

Desirable:

• Experience at a luxury hotel or with an international hotel brand, reflecting higher standards of guest service and discretion.
• Certified training in fire safety, first aid, emergency response, or crisis management.
• Familiarity with hotel security standards, loss-prevention frameworks, and hospitality-specific audit processes.
• Membership in a recognised professional security body or association.
• Understanding of data protection principles and confidentiality requirements, particularly regarding guest and employee information.