Director Executive Protection
Job Summary
The Director, Executive Protection leads and governs HCA’s Executive Protection (EP) and Event Protection programs, ensuring the safety of designated executives and the continuity of operations. This role sets program strategy, standards, and operating cadence; provides protective risk counsel to senior leaders and the Executive Office; and ensures consistent, intelligence-driven execution for travel, events, and day-to-day movements.
Responsibilities
Own the Executive Protection (EP) and Event Protection program framework, including strategy, governance, coverage standards, SOPs, and escalation protocols.
Serve as a protective security advisor to designated executives, their Executive Assistants, and senior stakeholders; deliver clear risk counsel and decision support.
Establish and maintain an intelligence-led risk methodology (threat/risk assessments, posture levels, decision thresholds) to guide protective planning and resource allocation.
Oversee protective operations for executive travel (Domestic and International), events, and day-to-day movements; deploy hands-on when required for high-risk/high-visibility activity.
Direct advance work standards and quality, including venue/site evaluations, route and movement planning, medical contingencies, and coordination with internal and external partners.
Lead development and approval of executive and event security operations plans, itineraries, protective briefs, and communications so stakeholders have the right information at the right time.
Oversee protective intelligence processes (open-source, social media, vendor reporting, internal channels) and integration with PSOC/threat management; ensure timely risk updates and recommended actions.
For major events, executive appearances, and corporate convenings, ensure appropriate security concepts of operation (access control, screening/magnetometers as applicable, crowd management, perimeter/route security) in partnership with event owners and law enforcement.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with local, state, and federal law enforcement and private-sector security counterparts to support travel, event security, investigations, and incident response.
Build and manage the EP resourcing model, on-call coverage, and surge capacity; recruit, coach, and develop team members; drive readiness, professionalism, and executive disposition.
Manage approved vendors and contract protective personnel (selection, onboarding, SLAs/KPIs, compliance, audits) to ensure consistent performance and adherence to standards.
Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and corporate policies (permits, armed security requirements, training/certifications, and aviation/ASO requirements where applicable); lead after-action reviews, performance metrics, and continuous improvement efforts to strengthen program resilience.
Skills and Behavioral Competencies
Executive Presence: Demonstrates confidence, discretion, and calm authority; communicates effectively with senior leaders and external counterparts.
Program Leadership: Builds and governs an intelligence-led protective program with clear standards, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Operational Expertise: Deep understanding of executive protection operations, advances, secure transportation, and event protection planning.
Protective Intelligence: Ability to interpret threat information, set requirements, and translate intelligence into actionable protective posture decisions.
Stakeholder Management: Builds trust across the Executive Office, Corporate Travel, Events, Facilities, Legal/HR, and security partners; leads through influence.
Vendor Management: Experience managing vendor ecosystems, contracts/SLAs, and performance governance.
Decision-Making Under Pressure: Makes timely, defensible decisions in dynamic environments; anticipates second- and third-order impacts.
Leadership and Development: Coaches and develops direct reports and contract personnel; drives readiness, training, and professional standards.
Ethics and Confidentiality: Demonstrates uncompromising integrity and protects sensitive information consistent with HCA and IPS values.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree – Required
Master’s degree – Preferred
10+ years of experience in security, military, law enforcement, and/or protective services – Required
5+ years of executive protection and/or event protection experience in high-tempo environments – Required
3+ years of experience leading teams/programs, including staffing, training, and performance management – Preferred
Skills
Valid driver’s license – Required
CPR/AED/First Aid (or ability to obtain within 90 days) – Required
HRA-218 (LEOSA) eligibility or ability to obtain and maintain required state armed security/permit credentials (as applicable) – Required
Executive Protection training/certification (recognized EP academy or equivalent) – Preferred
Eligibility to obtain DHS/TSA Armed Security Officer (ASO) qualification – Preferred
Eligibility to obtain US Passport – Required
Benefits
HCA Healthcare offers a total rewards package that supports the health, life, career and retirement of our colleagues. The available plans and programs include:
Comprehensive benefits for medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health and telemedicine services
Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services
Time away from work programs for paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence
Savings and retirement resources, including a 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, flexible spending accounts, preferred banking partnerships, retirement readiness tools, rollover support and financial wellbeing counseling
Tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing
Learn More About Employee Benefits
Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.