Head of Physical Security

Northeast Security, Inc.

$125K — $150K *
Business Services
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years in physical security or related field, preferably in a leadership role
  • Experience building or maturing physical security programs from scratch
  • Direct management of contract guard forces, including vendor and performance oversight
  • Familiarity with access control systems and security technology integration
  • Experience in securing office buildouts and understanding CPTED principles
  • Ability to operate calmly in high-pressure scenarios, with strong judgment skills
  • Excellent communication skills, capable of briefing executives in urgent situations

Responsibilities

  • Lead and manage guard force relationships, including training and performance standards
  • Design and oversee physical access control systems and policies
  • Serve as the go-to contact for escalated security incidents at all times
  • Collaborate with facilities teams to integrate security needs into building plans
  • Monitor and assess threats relevant to the company and its personnel
  • Coordinate security arrangements for executives and high-profile individuals
  • Develop comprehensive physical security policies and emergency response plans
  • Manage budget and vendor relationships related to security services
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align security measures across departments.

Benefits

  • Paid Holidays
  • 401K/403b Plan
  • Short Term Disability
  • Dental Insurance
  • Paid Vacation
  • Long Term Disability
  • Paid Sick Days
  • Vision Insurance
  • Medical Insurance
  • Life Insurance
Full Job Description
Job Details

Prosegur is seeking a Head of Physical Security to own the day-to-day security posture of our client's Palo Alto headquarters. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who wants to build - not just maintain - a physical security program from the ground up, in an environment where the threat landscape, stakes, and operational tempo are unlike a typical corporate campus.

You will lead guard force management, access control, incident response, and future facility buildouts, while serving as the primary point of accountability for the physical safety of our people, our facility, and our work.

Please note, this is an embedded position located at our client's campus. The selected candidate will work onsite as an integrated member of the client's security operations while remaining employed by Prosegur.

What You'll Do

  • Guard Force Leadership: Manage relationships with contract guard vendors (or build an in-house model, as the program matures), including staffing, post orders, training standards, and performance accountability.
  • Access Control: Own the design, administration, and continuous improvement of badge/credential systems, visitor management, and physical access policies across HQ.
  • 24x7 Incident Response: Serve as the senior escalation point for physical security incidents at any hour - from access anomalies to credible threats - with clear protocols for triage, response, and after-action review.
  • Facility Buildouts: Partner with Workplace, Facilities, and Design/Construction teams to embed security requirements (CCTV, sensors, mantraps, safe rooms, perimeter hardening, etc.) into future office expansions and buildouts from day one.
  • Threat Monitoring & Assessment: Maintain situational awareness of threats relevant to the company, its people, and the broader AI industry; translate open-source and vendor intelligence into actionable posture changes.
  • Executive & VIP Support: Coordinate physical security considerations for leadership and high-visibility personnel, including ad hoc travel, events, and public appearances as needed.
  • Policy & Program Development: Build out physical security policies, emergency response plans, and training programs (e.g., active threat, evacuation, workplace violence prevention) suited to a fast-scaling, high-profile organization.
  • Budget & Vendor Management: Own the physical security budget and manage vendor relationships across guarding, technology, and investigative/intelligence services.
  • Cross-Functional Partnership: Work closely with IT/InfoSec, HR, Legal, and Facilities to ensure physical and information security postures are aligned.


What We're Looking For

  • 8+ years of progressive experience in physical security, executive protection, or a related discipline, with meaningful time spent in a leadership or program-ownership role.
  • Background in military, federal law enforcement, or high-tier corporate/private sector security (e.g., Secret Service, other federal protective details, special operations, or equivalent) strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated experience building or significantly maturing a physical security program - not just operating within an existing one.
  • Direct experience managing contract guard forces, including vendor selection, post order development, and performance management.
  • Working knowledge of access control systems, video surveillance, and physical security technology procurement/integration.
  • Experience supporting security requirements for office buildouts or construction projects (CPTED principles a plus).
  • Comfort operating in a high-consequence, low-visibility environment - this is a company where discretion, judgment, and calm-under-pressure matter as much as technical competence.
  • Availability and willingness to respond to incidents outside of standard business hours.
  • Experience in tech, AI/ML, crypto, or other high-profile/high-threat industries is a strong plus.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to brief executives clearly and concisely under time pressure.


Nice to Have

  • Existing relationships with Bay Area law enforcement, threat intelligence vendors, or guard force providers.
  • Experience with Verkada or other cloud-based access control platforms.
  • Familiarity with California-specific security licensing and compliance requirements (e.g.,BSIS)


Education Requirements

  • High School Diploma


Additional Information / Benefits

  • Paid Holidays
  • 401K/403b Plan
  • Short Term Disability
  • Dental Insurance
  • Paid Vacation
  • Long Term Disability
  • Paid Sick Days
  • Vision Insurance
  • Medical Insurance
  • Life Insurance

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