Director, Physical Security

Job Description:

Position Summary:

The Director, Physical Security is responsible for the strategic vision, leadership, design, risk, and oversight of the organization's physical security program across all facilities and operations. This role ensures the protection of employees, customers, facilities, and critical assets through effective governance of access controls, surveillance systems, alarms, guard services, investigations, and risk management practices. The Director, Physical Security partners closely with executive leadership, Legal, Compliance, Fraud, Risk, and Business Continuity teams to ensure alignment with regulatory expectations and enterprise risk tolerance within a financial services environment.

Primary Responsibilities & Duties:

• Develop and execute the comprehensive enterprise physical security strategy aligned with organizational risk posture and regulatory requirements.
• Establish and maintain physical security policies, standards, and procedures governing access control, surveillance, alarm systems, and guard operations.
• Provide executive-level reporting on security risks, incidents, trends, and mitigation efforts.
• Oversee enterprise-wide physical security risk assessments, vulnerability analyses, and site security audits.
• Ensure protection of critical infrastructure, cash facilities, data centers, branches, and corporate offices.
• Partner with Enterprise Risk Management to identify, assess, and mitigate physical security threats.
• Direct the selection, implementation, governance, and lifecycle management of surveillance (CCTV/VMS), access control, intrusion detection, and alarm monitoring system technologies.
• Ensure system configurations, retention practices, and monitoring align with legal, privacy, and compliance requirements.
• Define standards for contract guard services, including post orders, deployment models, performance metrics, and escalation protocols.
• Oversee vendor selection, contract negotiation, and ongoing performance management.
• Ensure appropriate staffing models and coverage at high-risk and critical locations.
• Establish onboarding and ongoing training programs for security personnel, guards, and relevant employees.
• Promote a culture of security awareness throughout the organization.
• Lead or oversee internal investigations related to physical security incidents, workplace violence, theft, fraud support activities, and policy violations.
• Coordinate with HR, Legal, Compliance, Fraud, and law enforcement as required.
• Ensure incident response plans, crisis management, and emergency preparedness programs are tested and maintained.
• Assume additional responsibilities as necessary for the continued growth and advancement of the Credit Union.

Knowledge/ Skills:

• Deep knowledge of physical security frameworks, industry best practices, and financial institution risk environments
• Expertise in access control, surveillance, alarm systems, and security operations center (SOC) functions and technologies
• Strong understanding of regulatory expectations, privacy requirements, and evidence-handling standards
• Demonstrated leadership in crisis management, investigations, and executive communications
• Strong vendor management, contract negotiation, and budgeting skills
• Ability to balance risk mitigation with business operations and customer experience
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, Security Management, Risk Management, or a related field. Master's preferred
• 6+ years' experience progressive physical security experience within a financial institution or similarly regulated environment.
• 4+years' experience leading, coaching, developing a team and managing employee performance
• Experience managing enterprise security systems and contract guard services
• Relevant certifications such as Certified Protection Professional (CPP) or Physical Security Professional (PSP) preferred
• Must be able to travel regularly to assigned site locations and respond to after-hours incidents, as needed

Everwise is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.