Director of Security

About the Role

The Director of Security is responsible for the design, standardization, and operational execution of Salute's physical and corporate security programs across a portfolio of client data center sites. This role owns the security discipline throughout the data center lifecycle—construction, deployment, steady-state operations—setting standards, ensuring sites perform against contractual service levels, maintaining audit and compliance readiness, and serving as the senior security voice with clients. The Director of Security ensures consistent, measurable, and scalable security delivery across geographically dispersed locations.

This position reports to the Vice President of Security Operations and provides direct leadership to Physical Security Operations Managers and Security Project Managers. The role is remote-based with 30–40% travel and requires a leader who understands that in mission-critical environments, disciplined access management, defensible documentation, and proactive threat mitigation are the foundation of operational continuity and client trust.

Responsibilities

• Security Program Development & Standardization
  • Develop, document, and maintain enterprise physical security standards, standard operating procedures, post orders, and escalation protocols suitable for deployment across all assigned sites.
  • Build a repeatable program framework that can be tailored to individual client requirements without compromising baseline consistency.
  • Establish defense-in-depth standards covering perimeter control, entry control, internal zone segregation, and asset protection.
  • Define role requirements, credentialing standards, and training curricula for security-designated personnel in partnership with the Training organization.
  • Lead security readiness for new site activations, account transitions, and decommissioning projects, including pre-mobilization risk assessment and post-mobilization validation.
• Operational Execution & Service Level Performance
  • Own performance against contractual security service levels across the assigned portfolio; define, track, and report the metrics that demonstrate compliance.
  • Conduct scheduled and unannounced site assessments, post inspections, and quality assurance audits; drive corrective action plans to documented closure.
  • Serve as senior escalation authority for security incidents; own investigation quality, root-cause analysis, and after-action reporting.
  • Partner with the global command center on monitoring, alarm response, dispatch, and ticketing workflows to ensure security events are resolved within defined response windows.
  • Manage coverage models, staffing adequacy, shift accountability, overtime exposure, and post-fill reliability in coordination with Operations and Talent Acquisition.
  • Own the security portion of the operating budget for assigned regions or accounts; identify and execute cost-efficiency opportunities.
• Guard Force & Vendor Oversight
  • Provide direct oversight of Physical Security Operations Managers and Security Project Managers.
  • Govern subcontracted guard force and security vendor performance, including scope adherence, billing accuracy, and remediation of deficiencies.
  • Establish staffing models appropriate to site phase and risk level.
  • Ensure security personnel are trained on post orders, emergency response, and site-specific risk factors prior to assignment.
• Compliance, Audit & Risk Management
  • Maintain continuous audit readiness for client, regulatory, and third-party security assessments; own evidence collection, remediation tracking, and findings closure.
  • Ensure physical security controls support ISO 27001 physical security requirements and SOC 2 standards where applicable, along with client-specific control frameworks.
  • Align site security operations with OSHA construction safety regulations on active build sites.
  • Conduct threat, vulnerability, and risk assessments; recommend and sequence mitigations based on business impact.
  • Maintain business continuity, emergency response, site lockdown, and crisis management procedures for security scope; coordinate tabletop exercises and drills.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable security licensing, background screening, and badging requirements across all operating jurisdictions.
  • Maintain accurate documentation and retention of access logs, incident reports, investigations, and audit records.
• Client Engagement & Commercial Support
  • Act as the senior security representative in client operating reviews, quarterly business reviews, and escalation calls.
  • Support pursuit and renewal activity through security scope definition, coverage and staffing models, technology requirements, and cost-to-serve inputs for proposals and RFP responses.
  • Advise clients on security program design, gap remediation, and maturity roadmaps in a consultative capacity.
  • Build durable relationships with client security leadership; identify expansion opportunities and surface them to the commercial team.
  • Represent Salute's security capability in client audits, site visits, and prospect tours.
• Leadership & Team Development
  • Lead, coach, and develop a team of security managers and supervisors; set clear performance expectations and enforce accountability.
  • Conduct performance reviews and build bench strength and succession depth within the security discipline, with emphasis on Salute's veteran talent pipeline.
  • Drive a culture of safety, integrity, and professionalism consistent with Salute's operating standards.
  • Maintain visibility and standards across sites and time zones through disciplined reporting cadence and consistent field presence.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Security Management, Emergency Management, Business, or a related field. Equivalent experience considered.
• 8+ years of progressive physical or corporate security experience, including 3+ years leading through subordinate managers or supervisors.
• Demonstrated ownership of a multi-site security program, including standards development and audit or compliance accountability.
• Direct experience in data centers, mission-critical infrastructure, or comparable 24x7 environments strongly preferred.
• Experience in an outsourced services, managed services, or contract security environment delivering a security program on behalf of a client.
• Proven record of managing to contractual service levels; experience supporting sales pursuits or RFP responses preferred.
• Hands-on operational experience with access control, video surveillance, and intrusion detection systems.
• Experience conducting security investigations and producing defensible incident documentation.
• Senior client-facing or stakeholder-facing experience, including presenting performance data and remediation plans.

Skills

• Physical security program design and standardization
• Multi-site operational leadership and coordination
• Service level management and performance reporting
• Compliance, audit readiness, and control framework alignment
• Guard force and vendor performance management
• Security technology standards and system oversight
• Risk assessment and threat mitigation
• Crisis response leadership and incident command
• Client relationship management and consultative advisory
• Remote leadership and distributed team management
• High integrity and accountability

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Protection Professional (CPP)
• Physical Security Professional (PSP)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• First Aid / CPR / AED
• OSHA Certification

Benefits

• Time to Recharge: 8 company-paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, and PTO.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance available from Day 1; coverage begins the first of the month following 30 days of employment.
• Peace of Mind: Employee Assistance Program available to all employees, even if you do not participate in the benefits package.
• Your Financial Future Matters: Employer-supported 401(K) with immediate 100% vesting, plus a 3% employer match and a 50% match on the next 2%.
• Wellness Support: Access to HSA, mental health resources, and gym discounts.
• Extra Protection & Perks: Discounted group programs, such as legal services, home & auto insurance, pet insurance, and ID theft protection.

Pay

The base pay range for this role is $120,000 – $125,000 per year. This range reflects a good-faith estimate of what we reasonably expect to pay upon hire, based on factors such as skills, experience, education, and market/location.

Schedule

• Remote-based position with 30–40% travel to client sites, domestic and international, including occasional short-notice travel.
• Site work may occur in active construction, deployment, and decommissioning environments requiring personal protective equipment.
• Occasional after-hours and weekend availability for incident response and site escalations.
• Must be able to pass client-required background screening and obtain site-specific credentials.