Office Manager for Security in the Prison Service East

Would you set the direction for security in the East Prison Circle? Would you help build a new emergency response unit? Are you a skilled leader, good at collaboration and thriving with leading specialists? Are you motivated by sharp analyses and a strong intelligence-based foundation that can be used to set new and shared standards for security across the circle’s sites – and do you thrive in a dynamic everyday work life? Then you may be the next Head of Security for the East Prison Circle.

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

Your areas of responsibility

As Head of Security in the East Prison Circle you will become part of Denmark’s Prison Service as a whole, 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 staff leadership and thus contribute to the office’s goal of creating safety for citizens, employees and detainees.

Your efforts must ensure timely communication and collaboration between Security in the East Prison Circle, Security in the West Prison Circle and the Danish Prison Service (Styrelsen for Danmarks Fængsler). You should also contribute to a persistent managerial focus on security across the circle’s sites.

Your tasks take their starting point in the framework issued by the Danish Prison Service and include, among others:

• Support the institutions in their work with security in close collaboration with all prison directors on prevention of and follow-up on security incidents.
• Further develop the office’s organization, ways of working and task distribution so that competencies are used as effectively as possible and the office’s overall potential is utilized.
• Ensure a systematic and analytical approach to the circle’s security, emergency and intelligence work, including compiling, qualifying and translating relevant information into assessments, priorities and concrete managerial actions.
• Develop, implement, follow up on and evaluate new security measures.
• Ensure that sharp analyses, risk assessments and written decision briefs are prepared for the circle’s top management and the Danish Prison Service regarding central security initiatives.
• Establishment of 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 prevention of and follow-up on security incidents.
• Carrying out targeted preventive and security actions against radicalization and organized crime, as well as supporting exit programs.
• Ensure close and ongoing collaboration, as well as exchange of experiences with the West Prison Circle and the Danish Prison Service, including contributing to joint national solutions, coordination and knowledge sharing in the security field.

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 familiarity with security, emergency, analysis or intelligence work. Furthermore your drive and commitment, your motivation, professionalism and desire for good professional leadership are decisive.

Specifically, we are seeking a Head of Security who

• is a capable leader who can set clear goals and frameworks for the development of security work in the circle.
• leads in an appreciative manner and creates trusting relationships with employees, colleagues and partners.
• has a strong understanding of organization and role, works loyally within politically and administratively set frameworks and guards core values such as professionalism and compliance.
• has strong analytical and writing skills and can translate analyses into solutions with a focus on day-to-day operations.
• communicates clearly and with trustworthiness 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 preparedness matters.

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

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

About us

Denmark’s Prisons is part of the Ministry of Justice area and has as its main task to contribute to reducing crime by enforcing the penalties set by the courts. We are thus set in the world to reduce crime and create safety in society. At the same time we run a wide range of crime prevention initiatives, where we create the framework for offenders who want to make an effort to have a life without crime.

The East Prison Circle consists of a regional office, open and closed prisons, detention centers and supervision, as well as ankle-monitoring units, transport and guarding, an deportation center and an asylum center distributed across Zealand, Bornholm and the Faroe Islands. In total about 2300 employees. The Office of Security currently consists of 25 employees, including two deputy heads.

Salary and terms of employment

Employment and remuneration are under collective agreement in accordance with the framework agreement on contractual employment of managers in the state, placed in salary group 1. Link to the framework agreement on contractual employment of managers in the state: 012-26.pdf . If you are already employed as a civil servant, you may retain the employment as a civil servant. In addition, allowances may be agreed depending on experience and qualifications.

The position is intended for a fixed term.

The employing area is Denmark’s Prisons. The workplace is currently located at the Circle Office in the East Prison Circle, Kristineberg 4, 2100 Copenhagen Ø.

It is a condition of employment that you can be security cleared to SECRET, and that you can maintain the security clearance throughout your employment.

The position is to be filled on January 1, 2027.

Application

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

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

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

We expect to hold both the first and second interviews. The process takes place in weeks 45-46. During the interview process you will meet a staff representative, a deputy chief, representatives of the top management of the circle and the Danish Prison Service.

Further information about the position can be obtained by contacting deputy circle director Goran Kreso, 7250 5215.

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