Director, Operational Security (Protective Services)

This role may be based in NYC, Washington DC, or Chicago.

We are seeking a dynamic, results-driven operational security leader with strong business acumen, strategic vision, and exceptional project management capabilities to lead our Protective Services practice for the United States and Canada.

This role will oversee high-impact security engagements—including executive protection, event security, and complex operational security programs—while driving growth through business development and thought leadership. The ideal candidate will combine operational expertise with the ability to influence stakeholders and shape innovative security solutions for clients across diverse industries.

Tasks and responsibilities

The successful candidate will be tasked with the following:

• Strategic Leadership : Define and execute the vision for the Protective Services practice in the United States and Canada, ensuring alignment with regional and global strategic objectives.
• Operational Oversight : Direct the delivery of comprehensive security services, including executive protection, event security, workplace violence response, technical surveillance countermeasures (TSCM), travel risk management programs, operational crisis management (including evacuations and natural disaster response/recovery), and security training programs.
• Financial Management : Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance for the Protective Services practice, ensuring profitability and cost efficiency.
• Business Development: Drive growth by building and maintaining a robust pipeline of engagements through client relationships and market expansion.
• Operational Governance: Ensure effective and streamlined business operations, including compliance with local, state and national security regulations, human resources statutes, and legal and risk management guidelines.
• Thought Leadership : Represent the organization as an industry leader by contributing to panels, conferences, and published insights.
• Global Collaboration: Foster a collaborative culture across practices and geographies to maintain a OneFirm approach while delivering exceptional client services.
• Cross functional expertise : Proven knowledge and hands-on experience with protective intelligence and the integration of protective services with GSOC capabilities, reflecting the evolution of protective services into a more intelligence-driven, proactive discipline.
• Program building: Demonstrated ability to design, build, and lead programmatic engagements across operational security including executive protection and protective intelligence ensuring alignment with organizational risk posture and operational objectives.

Requirements

Knowledge and experience

• 15+ years of experience in an operational security leadership role, with a proven ability to manage complex security programs.
• 10+ years of direct experience delivering operational security services, including executive protection, event security, and comprehensive protective strategies.
• Functional understanding of the integration of protective intelligence and global monitoring centers into protective operations
• Previous experience working in a consulting capacity, ideally within the operational security field.
• Demonstrated success in a leadership role, managing teams and driving strategic initiatives.
• Proven ability to manage a portfolio of clients and develop a strong pipeline of business opportunities through an existing book of business, RFP’s and client outreach.
• Advanced financial literacy and a deep understanding of business processes, including budgeting and forecasting.
• Track record of administrative excellence, ensuring compliance and operational efficiency.
• Exceptional English-language writing and communication skills; proficiency in additional languages is highly desirable.

Qualifications and specialist skills

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degrees preferred in security management, business administration, or a related field.
• Formal executive protection training from a recognized government or private institution.
• Ability to obtain and maintain security licenses across multiple states, as required.
• Exceptional written and interpersonal communication skills, combined with strong leadership capabilities.
• Proven track record in business management, including opportunity generation and client portfolio development.
• Strong creative and analytical problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
• Highly organized and adept at multitasking, balancing competing priorities effectively.
• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 25–30% of the time.
• Industry certifications such as CPP (Certified Protection Professional) are highly desirable but not mandatory.

Behaviors

• All employees are expected to display behaviors reflective of our company values: Integrity and Ethics, Collaboration and Teamwork, Commitment to People and Professionalism and Excellence.

The base salary range for this position is $170,000-$180,000 per year. Exact compensation offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Control Risks is committed to a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status. If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made in order to participate fully in the interview process, please let us know and we will be happy to accommodate your needs.

Control Risks participates in the E-Verify program to confirm employment authorization of all newly hired employees. The E-Verify process is completed during new hire onboarding and completion of the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, at the start of employment. E-Verify is not used as a tool to pre-screen candidates. For more information on E-Verify, please visit

Benefits

• Control Risks offers a competitively positioned compensation and benefits package that is transparent and summarized in the full job offer.
• Control Risks supports hybrid working arrangements, wherever possible, that emphasize the value of in-person time together - in the office and with our clients - while continuing to support flexible and remote working.
• Medical Benefits, Prescription Benefits, FSA, Dental Benefits, Vision Benefits, Life and AD&D, Voluntary Life and AD&D, Disability Benefits, Voluntary Benefits, 401 (K) Retirement, Nationwide Pet Insurance, Employee Assistance Program.
• As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us and are fully committed to equal treatment, free from discrimination, of all candidates throughout our recruitment process.