Security Concierge

About this role

The Vacancy

The Royal Academy of Arts is seeking a professional, confident, and service‑focused Security Concierge to join our Red Collar (Security) Front of House Team. This unique position blends the expertise of an experienced security officer with the warm, welcoming approach of a customer‑service professional.

As a Security Concierge (Red Collar), you will play a key part in safeguarding our visitors, employees, and artworks, while also embodying the traditions, history, and values that define the Royal Academy. You will provide a front‑facing presence that balances vigilance with exceptional service.

This role involves greeting and assisting visitors, supporting high‑profile guest visits, and assisting staff and Royal Academicians. You will respond promptly to security, first aid, and emergency incidents, taking ownership of incidents and demonstrating strong problem‑solving skills. Alongside traditional duties that are deeply rooted in the heritage of the Royal Academy, you will help maintain a secure environment and deliver an outstanding visitor experience.

About You

To be considered for this role, you will hold a valid SIA licence and have substantial experience in a security role within a museum, gallery or similar institution.

A vigilant individual, you will possess the ability to think critically and resolve incidents effectively and calmly, especially in high pressure situations and when unforeseen circumstances arise. You will have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to effectively work independently and as part of a team.

Contractual hours will be 45 hours per week, based on a 4 on 4 off rotation, with all shifts being 12 hours and day shifts only. This pattern includes weekends and bank holidays.

The successful candidate will be subject to comprehensive pre-employment and reference checks.

The Company

The RA dates way back to 1768 when a group of artists and architects persuaded King George lll to help them to ‘establish a society for promoting the Art of Design'. The original academy, in Pall Mall, was less than 10 meters long. Since then, there have been many changes, though the RA’s core purpose of bringing art and design to a broad audience and championing art and artists still holds true.

Today we are a contemporary art organisation hosting internationally acclaimed exhibitions and through investment in employee training and development, with courses such as Unconscious Bias, LGBTQ+ Awareness, Bystander, and Mental Health First Aid training, we are striving to foster a safe space for everyone through positive action. We also have Employee Network Groups, Ways In Groups, and an Employee Council so every employee has a voice and a way to feel heard by colleagues through the CEO.

The RA is truly a unique place, both as an attraction to our visitors, but also as a workplace. Our people are at the heart of all we do, and we support a broad and inspiring mix of departments; from exhibitions, curators, art handlers, researchers, publishers, and digital to schools and education, visitor welcome, fundraisers, and corporate support.

The Benefits

Exhibitions

Reciprocal Agreements with galleries across the UK

Enhanced Pension

Generous employer contributions

Enhanced Holiday

25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays

Wellbeing

Access to a virtual GP Service and Mental Health First Aiders

Agile Working

The opportunity to work flexibly

RA Staff Council

Where your views are heard and listened to

Employee Clubs

Football, Staff Choir and more

About security roles for ex-police

Security management, operations and consultancy roles. Years of operational policing — command, incident response, public order — translate directly into corporate security, and employers in this sector actively rate police experience.