Location: ESSL Head Office, Kampala, Uganda

Employment type: Contract

Reports to: Group Chief Executive Officer

About the Role

You lead ESSL across strategy, commercial results, operations and administration. You turn Group strategy into profitable growth and dependable client service.

You hold accountability for three service lines: manned guarding, CCTV and electronic security, and uniform production and supply. You manage the heads of Security Operations, Business Development, CCTV and Electronic Security, Uniform Production, and Administration.

The role requires regular travel to client sites across Uganda.

Strategy and Performance

• Build and deliver the annual business plan, budgets and KPIs
• Review performance and direct corrective action
• Advise the Group CEO on risks, investments and market shifts

Security Operations

• Deploy competent, well-equipped guards in line with contracts
• Enforce standards of conduct, discipline and customer service
• Investigate incidents and close them with documented action
• Maintain emergency response and business continuity plans

Clients and Business Development

• Manage key client relationships and serve as the senior escalation point
• Meet contract terms, SLAs and agreed staffing levels
• Grow the pipeline of tenders, proposals and prospects
• Review contracts for feasibility, pricing and risk
• Track revenue growth, margin and client retention

CCTV, Electronic Security and Uniforms

• Oversee CCTV, access control and alarm projects from scope to handover
• Monitor system uptime, fault resolution and warranty obligations
• Ensure uniforms meet specifications, quality standards and delivery dates
• Grow maintenance revenue and external uniform sales

Finance and Debtor Collection

• Track revenue, margin, cash flow and profitability by service line
• Keep spending within approved budgets and authority limits
• Work with Finance to resolve billing disputes and collect receivables

People and HSSE

• Lead and develop the management team and workforce
• Run the performance management cycle with clear KPIs
• Ensure accurate payroll inputs and deployment records
• Lead on health, safety, security and environment, including risk assessments and PPE

Compliance and Reporting

• Keep all licences, permits and insurance current
• Comply with Ugandan security, employment, data protection and tax laws
• Enforce zero tolerance for fraud, theft and corruption
• Submit monthly, quarterly and annual reports to the Group CEO

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Operations Management, Security Management, Commerce or a related field
• Master’s degree in a related field is an added advantage
• 8 to 10 years of relevant experience, with at least 5 years in senior management
• Experience in private security, facilities management, operations, risk management or logistics is desirable
• Direct experience with guarding or CCTV and electronic security is an added advantage
• Proven record of leading large, dispersed teams across several service lines and contracts
• Certification in Security Management, Risk Management, Occupational Health and Safety or Project Management is an added advantage

Key Skills

• Strategic and operational leadership
• Knowledge of private security operations and Ugandan regulations
• Business development, negotiation, contract and SLA management
• Budgeting, pricing, costing, cash flow and receivables management
• Working knowledge of CCTV, electronic security and uniform production
• Workforce planning and performance management
• Understanding of HSSE, risk management and internal controls
• Data analysis, report writing and presentation

Personal Attributes

• Integrity, professionalism and confidentiality
• Sound, evidence-based judgement
• Client focus and strong stakeholder management
• Leadership, coaching and team building
• Results focus with disciplined execution
• Composure under pressure
• Commitment to continuous improvement and willingness to travel

• Build and deliver the annual business plan, budgets and KPIs
• Review performance and direct corrective action
• Advise the Group CEO on risks, investments and market shifts
• Deploy competent, well-equipped guards in line with contracts
• Enforce standards of conduct, discipline and customer service
• Investigate incidents and close them with documented action
• Maintain emergency response and business continuity plans
• Manage key client relationships and serve as the senior escalation point
• Meet contract terms, SLAs and agreed staffing levels
• Grow the pipeline of tenders, proposals and prospects
• Review contracts for feasibility, pricing and risk
• Track revenue growth, margin and client retention
• Oversee CCTV, access control and alarm projects from scope to handover
• Monitor system uptime, fault resolution and warranty obligations
• Ensure uniforms meet specifications, quality standards and delivery dates
• Grow maintenance revenue and external uniform sales
• Track revenue, margin, cash flow and profitability by service line
• Keep spending within approved budgets and authority limits
• Work with Finance to resolve billing disputes and collect receivables
• Lead and develop the management team and workforce
• Run the performance management cycle with clear KPIs
• Ensure accurate payroll inputs and deployment records
• Lead on health, safety, security and environment, including risk assessments and PPE
• Keep all licences, permits and insurance current
• Comply with Ugandan security, employment, data protection and tax laws
• Enforce zero tolerance for fraud, theft and corruption
• Submit monthly, quarterly and annual reports to the Group CEO

• Strategic and operational leadership
• Knowledge of private security operations and Ugandan regulations
• Business development, negotiation, contract and SLA management
• Budgeting, pricing, costing, cash flow and receivables management
• Working knowledge of CCTV, electronic security and uniform production
• Workforce planning and performance management
• Understanding of HSSE, risk management and internal controls
• Data analysis, report writing and presentation

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Operations Management, Security Management, Commerce or a related field
• Master’s degree in a related field is an added advantage
• 8 to 10 years of relevant experience, with at least 5 years in senior management
• Experience in private security, facilities management, operations, risk management or logistics is desirable
• Direct experience with guarding or CCTV and electronic security is an added advantage
• Proven record of leading large, dispersed teams across several service lines and contracts
• Certification in Security Management, Risk Management, Occupational Health and Safety or Project Management is an added advantage