Control Risks

Director, Operational Security (Protective Services)

Control Risks$170K — $180K *
Business Services
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 15+ years in operational security leadership with complex program management experience
  • 10+ years providing operational security services including executive protection
  • Understanding of protective intelligence and global monitoring integration
  • Experience in consulting within the operational security field
  • Demonstrated success in leadership and strategic initiative management
  • Proven client portfolio development and business opportunity generation
  • Strong financial literacy with budgeting and forecasting skills
  • Exceptional communication skills in English, additional languages preferable

Responsibilities

  • Define and execute the vision for the Protective Services practice across the U.S. and Canada
  • Direct comprehensive security service delivery including executive protection and crisis management
  • Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance of the practice
  • Drive growth through client relationships and market expansion
  • Ensure compliance with security regulations and operational governance
  • Represent the organization as an industry leader at panels and conferences
  • Foster collaboration within a OneFirm approach to service delivery
  • Design and lead operational security programs aligned with risk posture

Benefits

  • Competitively positioned compensation and benefits package
  • Support for hybrid working arrangements that value in-person interactions
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
  • Life and disability insurance options
  • 401 (K) retirement plan
  • Nationwide pet insurance and employee assistance programs
  • Commitment to equal opportunities and a diverse workplace
Full Job Description
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.

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.

About Control Risks

Control Risks is a global risk management consultancy headquartered in London, England. The company was founded in 1975 and provides a range of services to help clients manage political, security, and integrity risks in complex and hostile environments. Control Risks has a presence in over 40 countries and works with clients across a range of industries, including energy, financial services, and healthcare. The company is known for its expertise in crisis management and has been involved in some of the world's most high-profile security incidents.
Learn more about Control Risks
Size
3,500 employees
Industry
Founded
1975

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