Archer Aviation Inc.

Executive Protection Lead

Archer Aviation Inc.$163K — $204K *
Business Services
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Significant hands-on experience in executive protection or related operational fields such as military or law enforcement.
  • Demonstrated ability to build programs from the ground up.
  • Genuine player/coach willing to personally execute protective details.
  • Deep expertise in advance work, protective intelligence, and threat assessments.
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with high discretion.

Responsibilities

  • Plan and lead protective details for Archer executives with hands-on execution.
  • Provide close protection across residential, travel, events, and office settings.
  • Conduct advance work, including assessments and coordination with local resources.
  • Own and scale Archer's global executive protection program with designed protocols.
  • Lead threat assessments and develop mitigations for principals' security.
  • Build strong relationships with principals and their teams, adapting to their needs.
  • Coordinate with various business units to align protective strategies.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for personal and professional development.
  • Work in a dynamic, growing company focused on building new programs.
  • Engagement in a mission-critical role with direct impact on company leadership security.
Full Job Description
Job Overview

As Archer grows in profile and reach, protecting our executives and principals wherever they live, work, and travel is mission-critical. Reporting to the Sr. Director, Global Security, the Head of Executive Protection owns Archer's executive protection program globally, covering residential, travel, office, event, and public-appearance protection, along with advance work, protective intelligence, and threat and risk assessment.

This is a builder's role and a player/coach role. You are not only managing a program, you are doing the job alongside your team, personally leading protective details and setting the standard by example. You may come from executive protection directly, or from a related operational background such as special operations, the military, or law enforcement. What matters most is that you can demonstrate the ability to build something from the ground up and that you bring credible, hands-on protective or operational experience. We are looking for a protector who can write the protocols, stand up the details, earn the trust of principals, and still operate in the field.

Key Responsibilities

Protective Operations (Player/Coach)
  • Personally plan and lead protective details for Archer executives and principals, setting the standard through hands-on execution, not only oversight.
  • Provide close protection across residence, office, travel (domestic and international), events, and public appearances.
  • Serve as a protective/secure driver for the CEO and principals as needed, including route planning and defensive/evasive driving, not solely on-foot close protection.
  • Conduct and oversee advance work, including site surveys, route planning, venue assessments, and coordination with local resources.
  • Maintain a discreet, low-profile posture that protects principals while respecting their privacy, schedules, and the way they work.

Program Leadership & Building
  • Own and scale Archer's executive protection program globally, designing the protocols, standards, and operating procedures that define how EP is delivered.
  • Build, lead, mentor, and schedule a team of protection agents and/or vetted vendor resources, holding all to a high standard of professionalism and discretion.
  • Remain nimble and willing to work outside a fixed job description to move the program forward.

Threat, Intelligence & Risk
  • Lead threat and risk assessments for principals, residences, events, and travel, and drive appropriate mitigations.
  • Partner with the GSOC and intelligence function on protective intelligence, monitoring, and 24/7 support to details in the field.
  • Develop and maintain emergency and crisis response plans for principals, and lead response when incidents occur.

Stakeholder Partnership
  • Build trusted relationships with principals, their families, and their support staff, anticipating needs and adapting to preferences.
  • Partner closely and continuously with executive assistants, aligning on schedules, travel, and frequent last-minute changes so protection stays seamless.
  • Coordinate closely with the Global Security Operations Manager, travel security, Facilities, People, Legal, and site leadership.
  • Communicate clearly and collaboratively across all levels of the business, bringing protective expertise that shapes decisions.
Required Qualifications
  • Significant hands-on experience in executive protection, or in a related operational field such as special operations, the military, or law enforcement. Direct experience leading protective details for senior executives or high-profile principals is strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated ability to build a program, capability, or function from the ground up. You must be able to show that you can create something from nothing.
  • Strong candidates will bring both build capability and relevant protective or operational experience.
  • A genuine player/coach: willing and able to personally run details in the field, not just direct a team.
  • Deep expertise in advance work, protective intelligence, threat and risk assessment, and secure travel.
  • Proven ability to lead, mentor, and schedule protection teams and/or manage vendor agents.
  • Exceptional discretion and judgment in handling sensitive situations and information.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to earn the trust of principals and collaborate across the business.
  • Valid driver's license and the ability to serve as a protective/secure driver for principals, including defensive/evasive driving.
  • Ability to obtain a nationwide concealed carry permit (CCW), or existing LEOSA (H.R. 218) carry authority.
  • Willingness and ability to travel extensively, including on short notice, and to work irregular hours as principal schedules require.
  • Ability to stay nimble and fluid in the face of frequent last-minute changes to schedules, travel, and plans, adjusting protective posture in real time.
  • Ability to work hand in hand with executive assistants, building the close, trusting relationships that keep protection aligned with principals' day-to-day plans.
  • Uncompromising ethics and integrity, and the self-awareness to admit mistakes quickly and learn from them.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Active U.S. government security clearance.
  • Background in federal protective service, military, or law enforcement (e.g., protective operations, Diplomatic Security, or equivalent).
  • Formal executive protection training and relevant certifications.
  • Emergency medical or first-responder training (e.g., first aid/CPR, TECC/TCCC).
  • Experience protecting principals in aerospace, defense, technology, or another high-profile, multi-site environment.

Please note that this job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and does not include an exhaustive list of responsibilities and qualifications.

At Archer we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent that possess the skills and leadership necessary to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company's business strategy. For this position we are targeting a base pay between $163,500 - $204,400. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

About Archer Aviation Inc.

Archer Aviation is an American aerospace manufacturer that develops electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for urban air mobility. The company was founded in 2018 by Brett Adcock and Adam Goldstein. Archer Aviation is developing an eVTOL aircraft that can travel up to 60 miles at speeds of up to 150 mph. The aircraft is designed to be quiet, safe, and efficient, with zero emissions. The company has partnerships with United Airlines and Stellantis, and plans to launch its first aircraft in 2024.
Learn more about Archer Aviation Inc.
Market Cap
$403.1 million
Industry
NASDAQ

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