Executive Protection Program Manager
Allied Universal · Chicago · $150,000 (stated in the posting)
Company Overview:
Elevate your security career with Allied Universal® Enhanced Protection Services, a global leader in security and threat mitigation. We specialize in risk consulting, executive protection, intelligence, investigations, and emergency response, offering exciting career opportunities for professionals passionate about security and safety. Join our innovative team committed to excellence in the security industry and make a meaningful impact. Explore key roles, such as executive protection agents, intelligence analysts, armed security operatives, x-ray screeners, and security consultants.
Executive Protection Manager
Annual Salary: $150,000
Travel Requirement: Up to 60% domestic and international travel
Department: Executive Protection / Corporate Security
Reports To: Director of Executive Protection
Position Overview
The Executive Protection Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating executive protection operations to ensure the highest standards of client satisfaction, operational readiness, and protective security. Reporting to the Director of Executive Protection, this role provides experienced leadership, sound judgment, and strategic oversight to ensure all executive protection deliverables are met consistently and effectively.
Embedded within the client’s corporate security organization, the Executive Protection Manager serves as a key liaison among executive protection personnel, corporate security teams, client representatives, contractors, vendors, and other internal and external stakeholders. The position is responsible for managing protective strategies, personnel, training, security planning, and operational resources while proactively identifying and mitigating risks to designated principals, facilities, events, and operations.
The ideal candidate brings extensive experience in executive protection, protective intelligence, investigations, and security operations, combined with strong leadership, communication, and project management skills. This individual must demonstrate the highest standards of integrity, discretion, professionalism, and accountability while operating effectively in a dynamic, high-expectation corporate environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Executive Protection Operations and Strategy
- Partner with the Executive Protection team to develop, implement, and manage protective strategies, operational resources, and training programs aligned with client requirements.
- Assist the Director of Executive Protection with strategic oversight, operational planning, and the development of risk mitigation strategies and countermeasures.
- Coordinate executive protection activities and priorities to ensure operational effectiveness and minimize conflicts across projects and programs.
- Provide close protection for client-designated principals as needed.
- Liaise with the Security Operations Center to support effective communication, situational awareness, and operational coordination.
- Manage the global Executive Protection FATKit program and maintain program readiness in accordance with established requirements.
- Prepare security briefings, written reports, after-action reports, and operational updates for leadership and relevant stakeholders.
Client Relationship and Stakeholder Management
- Maintain proactive, responsive, and professional communication with the client, employees, vendors, contractors, and other stakeholders.
- Serve as a liaison between the client, executive protection personnel, and support staff to identify, address, and mitigate security concerns.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships that promote client satisfaction and consistently exceed service expectations established by the Director of Executive Protection.
- Attend regular client meetings to communicate team activities, operational accomplishments, emerging concerns, and improvement initiatives.
- Communicate project and program status to executive protection team members and other stakeholders as appropriate.
- Maintain professional boundaries and demonstrate a clear understanding of the client service relationship.
Risk Management and Security Assessments
- Assist with conducting Risk, Threat, and Vulnerability Assessments (RTVAs) and physical security surveys of client facilities and operational properties.
- Evaluate facilities, security systems, access controls, and operational environments to identify gaps, weaknesses, and vulnerabilities affecting executive protection movements and activities.
- Develop and recommend appropriate corrective actions, security enhancements, and operational upgrades.
- Assist in developing security escalation plans and ensure personnel are trained and prepared to execute established procedures.
- Investigate executive protection incidents and support the identification of root causes, lessons learned, and preventive measures.
- Gather, assess, and communicate relevant information while exercising sound judgment, logic, and discretion in decision-making.
- Escalate significant issues to executive protection leadership in a timely and appropriate manner.
Event Security and Incident Response
- Review and manage event security plans and coordinate security operations for client-related activities.
- Participate in security planning for corporate events involving executives, ensuring venues and associated operations are appropriately assessed and secured.
- Coordinate special security arrangements for executive events, travel, and other designated activities.
- Coordinate with third-party security providers to ensure seamless integration and consistent service delivery.
- Respond to security incidents involving suspicious packages, protestors, media, members of the public, and other potential threats.
- Support the development and execution of contingency plans to protect principals, employees, guests, and other stakeholders.
Personnel Leadership, Training, and Performance Management
- Manage contractor resources assigned to the client to ensure consistent, high-quality security services.
- Monitor assigned personnel performance, provide timely feedback, and promote professional development and accountability.
- Collaborate with team leads and team members to identify operational improvements, strengthen teamwork, and increase employee engagement.
- Develop training modules and conduct or coordinate training to maintain operational readiness and compliance with annual Executive Protection Services (EPS) training requirements.
- Develop, review, and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as operational needs and client requirements evolve.
- Communicate SOP requirements and monitor personnel compliance with established standards.
- Conduct project management meetings with executive protection team members to align priorities, resolve conflicts, and maintain operational effectiveness.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, constructive feedback, and professional excellence.
Professional Standards and Administrative Responsibilities
- Safeguard sensitive and confidential company and client information.
- Demonstrate honesty, integrity, discretion, trustworthiness, and accountability in all professional interactions.
- Communicate effectively and collaborate across cross-functional teams.
- Manage multiple priorities and complete tasks in an organized, efficient, and timely manner.
- Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor.
- Operate motor vehicles safely and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Client-Specific Requirements
The Executive Protection Manager must meet the client’s elevated expectations for professionalism, integrity, operational readiness, and discretion. Additional responsibilities include:
- Maintaining character and professional standards that demonstrate unquestionable honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness.
- Coordinating with the Security Operations Center on executive protection activities and operational requirements.
- Managing the global Executive Protection FATKit program.
- Leading project management meetings to align executive protection priorities and resolve operational conflicts.
- Supporting client site assessments, physical security surveys, and operational property RTVAs.
- Identifying security system deficiencies, operational vulnerabilities, and opportunities for risk reduction.
- Assisting the Director of Executive Protection with strategic planning, protective operations oversight, and countermeasure development.
- Preparing executive-level security briefings, written reports, escalation plans, and operational updates.
- Ensuring security personnel are prepared to respond to escalating situations and execute established security plans.
- Providing close protection for designated principals as required.
- Investigating executive protection incidents and supporting appropriate follow-up actions.
Minimum Qualifications: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Education and Professional Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred; relevant industry experience required.
- At least 10 years of combined experience in relevant military, law enforcement, corporate security, or executive protection environments.
- Military or law enforcement special operations experience and protective operations experience highly preferred.
- Demonstrated experience in executive protection within corporate environments.
- Experience in protective intelligence and complex investigations.
- Extensive medical training or experience, such as EMT or First Responder qualifications, preferred.
Technical and Operational Competencies
- Strong foundational knowledge across all facets of security operations.
- Advanced understanding of technology-based security applications and systems.
- Demonstrated ability to assess threats, identify vulnerabilities, evaluate risk, and recommend effective mitigation strategies.
- Experience with security planning, incident management, protective operations, and operational readiness.
- Strong project management, organizational, and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Leadership and Communication
- Excellent emotional intelligence and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing after-action reports, security briefings, and operational documentation.
- Effective listening skills and openness to new ideas, constructive feedback, and alternative approaches.
- Demonstrated ability to lead personnel, manage contractors, and coordinate complex operational requirements.
- Sound judgment, flexibility, and the ability to make decisive, well-reasoned decisions under pressure.
- Ability to adapt to unexpected developments while prioritizing the safety and security of principals, team members, employees, and guests.
- High standards of professionalism, integrity, confidentiality, and accountability.
Additional Requirements
- Valid driver's license and eligibility for coverage under the applicable motor vehicle insurance policy.
- Active, current United States passport.
- Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally, up to 60% of the time.
- Ability to maintain operational flexibility and meet the demands of a dynamic executive protection environment.
Compensation and Benefits
Annual Salary: $150,000
We offer a competitive compensation package and benefits designed to support employee well-being, professional development, and long-term career growth.
Benefits include:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Company-provided employee life insurance at no cost to the employee.
- Paid employee training and professional development.
- 401(k) retirement plan.
- Employee assistance programs.
- Paid holidays and flexible paid time off (PTO).
- Domestic and international travel opportunities.
- Career advancement and relocation opportunities.
- A supportive company culture that values teamwork, professionalism, and work-life balance.
Why Join Our Team?
This is an opportunity for an experienced security professional to play a critical leadership role in a sophisticated corporate executive protection environment. The Executive Protection Manager will help shape protective strategies, develop high-performing teams, strengthen operational capabilities, and deliver exceptional security services to executive-level clients.
We are seeking a trusted, adaptable, and forward-thinking leader who can balance strategic planning with hands-on operational execution while maintaining the highest standards of integrity, discretion, and service.
If you have the experience, judgment, and leadership skills to excel in a demanding executive protection environment, we encourage you to apply.
Allied Universal® is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or relationship/association with a protected veteran, or any other basis or characteristic protected by law. For more information: www.aus.com
If you have difficulty using the online system and require an alternate method to apply or require an accommodation, please contact our local Human Resources department. To find an office near you, please visit: www.aus.com/offices.
.