Close Protection Officer (Bodyguard) Job Description
Hire a trained, discreet protection specialist to keep clients safe during travel and public appearances. This template covers the responsibilities, licences and candidate profile typical for professional close protection roles in the UK.
What does a Close Protection Officer (Bodyguard) professional do?
Provide personal security, conduct risk assessments and manage safe movement for principals in a discrete, professional manner.
Close Protection Officer (Bodyguard) job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Close Protection Officer (Bodyguard)
About the role
We are seeking an experienced Close Protection Officer (Bodyguard) to provide close protection for a principal in [Location]. You will plan and manage secure travel, conduct venue and route assessments, and respond to security incidents while maintaining confidentiality and professional conduct. Applicants must hold a valid SIA Close Protection licence and be able to pass security vetting; previous protective security experience is preferred.
Key responsibilities
- Plan and conduct advance visits, venue surveys and route planning for appointments and travel
- Provide close protection during public appearances, private events and transit
- Manage secure entry, screening and access control for the principal and immediate entourage
- Drive and manage vehicles used for protective movement, including pre‑drive safety checks and secure loading
- Monitor surroundings, identify threats, and take proportionate protective action when required
- Liaise with local law enforcement, venue security and other stakeholders as necessary
- Maintain incident logs, protection plans and daily reports
- Manage client confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion
Essential skills and experience
- Valid SIA Close Protection licence (UK)
- Right to work in the UK
- Ability to pass enhanced DBS or other required security vetting
- Full UK driving licence with a clean driving history or ability to pass company driving assessment
- Proven experience in close protection, personal protection, security or relevant operational roles
- Good physical fitness and ability to meet medical/fitness requirements
- High level of discretion, professionalism and situational awareness
Desirable
- Emergency first aid qualification or equivalent
- Advanced/defensive driving qualification (e.g. protective or tactical driving)
- Previous military, police or specialist security experience
- Formal training in risk assessment, conflict management or surveillance awareness
- Foreign language skills relevant to the principal’s travel profile
What we offer
- Competitive salary or day rate (employer to specify)
- Pension or workplace retirement scheme (employer to specify)
- Company vehicle or travel allowance where required
- Paid annual leave and statutory benefits
- Uniform and protective equipment provided
- Training and continuous professional development opportunities
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is a Close Protection Officer (Bodyguard) role?
A bodyguard, commonly called a Close Protection Officer, protects individuals from personal risk by planning and delivering protective measures. They assess threats, prepare secure travel and locations, provide physical protection and coordinate with other security stakeholders. Close Protection Officers must combine operational skills, discretion and professional conduct to reduce risk to their principal.
Protective duties
Close protection during travel, events and daily movements, plus immediate incident response.
Secure transport
Route planning, vehicle checks and secure driving to manage movement risks.
Stakeholder liaison
Coordinate with venue security, local authorities and any onsite teams to maintain safety.
Planning & reporting
Prepare protection plans, conduct advance surveys and keep detailed incident and activity records.
Typical Close Protection Officer (Bodyguard) responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Plan and conduct advance visits
Plan and conduct advance visits, venue surveys and route planning for appointments and travel
Provide close protection during public
Provide close protection during public appearances, private events and transit
Manage secure entry
Manage secure entry, screening and access control for the principal and immediate entourage
Drive
Drive and manage vehicles used for protective movement, including pre‑drive safety checks and secure loading
Monitor surroundings
Monitor surroundings, identify threats, and take proportionate protective action when required
Liaise with local law enforcement
Liaise with local law enforcement, venue security and other stakeholders as necessary
Maintain incident logs
Maintain incident logs, protection plans and daily reports
Manage client confidentiality
Manage client confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion
Close Protection Officer (Bodyguard) skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Valid SIA Close Protection licence (UK)
- Right to work in the UK
- Ability to pass enhanced DBS or other required security vetting
- Full UK driving licence with a clean driving history or ability to pass company driving assessment
- Proven experience in close protection, personal protection, security or relevant operational roles
- Good physical fitness and ability to meet medical/fitness requirements
- High level of discretion, professionalism and situational awareness
Useful where relevant
- Emergency first aid qualification or equivalent
- Advanced/defensive driving qualification (e.g. protective or tactical driving)
- Previous military, police or specialist security experience
- Formal training in risk assessment, conflict management or surveillance awareness
- Foreign language skills relevant to the principal’s travel profile
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Close Protection Officer (Bodyguard) job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Be explicit about licences and checks
State clearly that an SIA Close Protection licence and the ability to pass enhanced DBS/security vetting are required to avoid unsuitable applications.
State the working pattern and travel expectations
Specify shift patterns, likely nights and weekends, and anticipated travel or overnight stays so candidates can assess suitability.
Describe the risk profile and environment
Note whether duties are low‑visibility corporate work, high‑profile events or international travel—this helps attract appropriately experienced candidates.
List equipment and transport arrangements
Flag whether vehicles, radios and protective equipment are provided or expected to be supplied by the contractor.
Highlight training opportunities
Mention any ongoing training or career progression to attract candidates seeking long‑term roles in protective security.
Close Protection Officer (Bodyguard) salary considerations
Pay for close protection roles varies widely. Employers should consider the level of risk, required licences and qualifications, the candidate’s experience, expected hours and overtime, travel or relocation demands, and whether a company vehicle or insurance is provided when setting pay or day rates.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Close Protection Officer (Bodyguard) candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
What are the typical hours, shift patterns and on‑call expectations?
Candidates need clarity on whether the role involves regular nights, weekends, standby duty or long deployments so they can confirm availability.
How much travel or overnight work is expected?
State whether duties are mainly local, regional or international, and whether the employer covers travel, accommodation and subsistence.
Which licences, checks and medicals are required?
Specify that an SIA Close Protection licence is required, and whether enhanced DBS, occupational health screening or other vetting is mandatory.
Will a vehicle and equipment be provided?
Clarify if the employer supplies vehicles, fuel, radios and protective equipment or if the role requires the officer to provide any items.
Is training or career development provided?
Candidates often want to know about refresher training, skills development and support for gaining further qualifications.
Where to post a Close Protection Officer (Bodyguard) job
For Close Protection roles, advertise where experienced security professionals search: a mix of general UK job boards for volume and sector‑specific channels (security and close protection job boards, ex‑military forums, and professional security networks) for quality candidates. Use LinkedIn and specialist recruitment agencies to reach experienced operators, and consider local or regional outreach if the role is site‑based or requires specific language skills.
Related security / close protection job descriptions
Recruiting for a slightly different role? These templates may be a closer fit.
Close Protection Officer (Bodyguard) job description FAQs
Do bodyguards need an SIA licence in the UK?
Yes. In the UK, close protection work normally requires a valid SIA Close Protection licence. Employers should also confirm any additional vetting or checks they require.
Should employers check driving records and medical fitness?
Yes. A full driving licence and a clean driving history are commonly required. Many employers also require an occupational health check or fitness assessment to ensure the officer can perform physical duties.
Is insurance needed for assigning protective duties?
Employers should confirm appropriate public liability and employer’s liability insurance, plus specific insurance for protective operations where applicable. Agency or contractor arrangements may affect who holds cover.
What contract types are typical for bodyguards?
Close protection roles are offered as permanent in‑house positions, fixed‑term contracts, self‑employed contractor engagements or agency day‑rate bookings. Each has different implications for pay, tax and benefits.
How long does recruitment usually take?
Time to hire depends on candidate availability and required vetting; allow extra time for SIA licence verification, enhanced DBS checks and any work visas or security clearances.
Ready to hire a Close Protection Officer?
Use this template to set clear expectations and attract suitably qualified applicants. Tailor the responsibilities, licences and working‑pattern details to reflect your principal’s risk profile and deployment needs.
