Office Manager for Security in the Prison Estate East

Would you set the direction for security in the Prison Circle East? Would you help build a new emergency response unit? Are you a capable leader who is good at collaboration and thrives on leading specialists? Are you motivated by sharp analyses and a strong intelligence foundation that can be used to set new and shared standards for security across the circle's sites – and do you thrive in a changing daily life? Then you may be the next Head of Security for the Eastern Prison Circle.

We are seeking a Head of Security, who will help make an impact in a central area where an increasingly complex threat and risk landscape places higher demands on security, emergency response and robust operations, including the organization's ability to withstand hybrid threats and maintain critical functions if essential supply chains are challenged.

Your responsibilities

As Head of Security in the Prison Circle East you will become part of Denmark’s Prison Service's overall organization, which reports to the Ministry of Justice. You shall – together with your deputy heads – set the direction for the office and ensure followership with present and appreciative personnel management and thereby contribute to the office’s goal of creating security for citizens, employees and inmates.

Your efforts must ensure timely communication and collaboration between Security in the Prison Circle East, Prison Circle West and the Agency for Denmark's Prisons. You must also contribute to ongoing managerial focus on security across the circle’s sites.

Your tasks take their outset in the framework issued by the Agency for Denmark's Prisons and include, among others:

• Support the institutions in their work with security in close cooperation with all prison directors on the prevention of and follow-up on security incidents.
• Further develop the office's organization, working methods and task distribution so that competencies are used in the best possible way and the office's total potential is utilized.
• Ensure a systematic and analytical approach to the circle's security, emergency response and intelligence work, including that relevant information is consolidated, qualified and translated into assessments, priorities and concrete managerial actions.
• Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate new security measures.
• Ensure that sharp analyses, risk assessments and written decision proposals are prepared for the circle's top management and the Agency for Denmark's Prisons regarding central security initiatives.
• Build a new emergency response unit which, together with local emergency coordinators, supports the sites' work with emergency preparedness, crisis management, continuity planning and supply security.
• Close collaboration with all prison directors on the prevention of and follow-up on security incidents.
• Carry out targeted preventive and security-related actions against radicalization and organized crime as well as support for exit initiatives.
• Ensure close and ongoing collaboration, as well as exchange of experiences with Prison Circle West and the Agency for Denmark's Prisons, including contributing to common national solutions, coordination and knowledge sharing in the security domain.

About you

We would like you to have a relevant academic education or otherwise have achieved a similarly high professional and analytical level. In addition you have solid leadership experience and knowledge of security, emergency response, analysis or intelligence work. Furthermore, your drive and engagement, your motivation, professionalism and desire for good professional leadership are decisive.

Specifically, we are looking for a Head of Security who

• is a skilled leader who can set clear goals and frames for the development of security work in the circle.
• leads in an appreciative way and creates trusting relationships with employees, colleagues and partners.
• has a strong organizational and role understanding, works loyally within politically and administratively defined frameworks and upholds core values such as professionalism and compliance.
• has strong analytical and writing competencies and can translate analyses into solutions with a view to concrete operations.
• communicates clearly and trustfully, both orally and in writing.
• has strong execution power and creates results through clear prioritization, follow-up and resource use.
• has knowledge of and experience with security and emergency management conditions.

In addition, you must be able to acquire knowledge about and understand Denmark's Prison Service's issues, rules and function in the overall criminal case chain. Prison service expertise or knowledge of security, emergency management and Denmark's Prisons as an organization is not a prerequisite, but would be an advantage.

Since driving within the circle's geography, covering all of Eastern Denmark, Bornholm and the Faroe Islands, is expected, it would be advantageous to hold a category B driving license.

About us

Denmark’s Prisons is part of the Ministry of Justice’s domain and has as its main task to help reduce crime by enforcing the penalties determined by the courts. We are thus in the business of limiting crime and creating security in society. At the same time, we run a number of crime-prevention initiatives, where we create the framework for prisoners who want to contribute to a life without crime to have that opportunity.

The Prison Circle East consists of a circle office, open and closed prisons, remand centers and supervision, as well as ankle monitor units, transport and guarding, a deportation center and an immigration center spread across the whole of Zealand, Bornholm and the Faroe Islands. In total approx. 2300 employees. The Security Office currently consists of 25 staff members, including two deputy heads.

Salary and employment terms

Employment and remuneration are on collective agreement terms in accordance with the framework agreement on contract employment of managers in the state with placement in pay grade 1. Link to the framework agreement on contract employment of managers in the state: 012-26.pdf. If you are already employed as a civil servant, your employment as a civil servant can be retained. In addition, allowances may be agreed depending on experience and qualifications.

The position is to be filled on a fixed-term basis.

The area of employment is Denmark’s Prisons. The work location is initially at the Circle Office in Eastern Prison Circle, Kristineberg 4, 2100 Copenhagen Ø.

It is a prerequisite for employment that you can obtain security clearance to SECRET, and that you can maintain the security clearance for the duration of your employment.

The position is to be filled by 1 January 2027.

Application

The position is advertised electronically via the link “Apply for the job.”

Application, CV and documentation of education and other relevant material must be received in the recruitment system no later than Tuesday 27 October 2026.

For already appointed civil servants, the application should be addressed to the King.

We expect to conduct both first and second interviews. The process will take place in weeks 45-46. In the interview process you will meet a staff representative, a deputy head, representatives of the prison circle’s top management as well as the Agency for Denmark's Prisons.

Further information about the position can be obtained by contacting Vice Circle Director Goran Kreso, 7250 5215.

Denmark’s Prisons views diversity as a strength, and invites all interested candidates regardless of personal background to apply.

Application deadline: 27 October 2026

Location: Region Capital