Director of Security Operations, Programs

Accountabilities:

• • Provide strategic leadership for the global Program Security function, ensuring security is integrated into program planning, operational decision-making, and mission delivery.
  • Serve as a trusted security advisor to senior program leaders, contributing to organizational strategy, risk management, and complex operational decisions.
  • Lead, coach, and develop security personnel while fostering accountability, collaboration, operational excellence, and a mission-enabling security culture.
  • Provide security leadership during crises, critical incidents, and high-risk operational situations involving staff, survivors, partners, or programs.
  • Partner with program leadership to assess emerging risks and integrate security considerations into new initiatives, program models, investigations, office expansions, and operational plans.
  • Develop and implement security frameworks, standards, policies, protocols, governance structures, and operational guidance for challenging environments.
  • Maintain forward visibility into program and operational changes to anticipate security requirements and strengthen organizational preparedness.
  • Build strong relationships with program, survivor services, legal, investigations, regional security, and operational teams, acting as the primary security contact for assigned initiatives.
  • Communicate security risks, mitigation strategies, and recommendations clearly through executive briefings, assessments, decision-support materials, and incident communications.
  • Develop and deliver security training, workshops, briefings, coaching, and capacity-building initiatives for program teams and leaders.
  • Conduct security risk assessments, threat analyses, operational reviews, and after-action reviews, using findings to improve security measures and program effectiveness.
  • Monitor emerging threats and security trends, evaluate the effectiveness of existing controls, and recommend adjustments to support organizational objectives.
  • Support travel risk management, security technology, business continuity, incident response, and continuous improvement initiatives.

  Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in security management, criminal justice, international relations, risk management, emergency management, law enforcement, military studies, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
  • At least 10 years of progressive experience in security, risk management, humanitarian operations, law enforcement, military service, international development, or a related field.
  • At least 5 years of leadership experience managing complex security operations or risk programs.
  • Demonstrated expertise in security risk assessments, threat analysis, mitigation planning, crisis management, incident response, and business continuity.
  • Experience supporting sensitive activities such as investigations, legal operations, survivor-centered programming, field security, or duty-of-care initiatives.
  • International or cross-cultural experience, ideally across multiple geographic regions and complex stakeholder environments.
  • Experience developing security policies, governance frameworks, operational standards, and security training programs.
  • Strong executive communication, strategic advisory, relationship-building, and influencing skills, including the ability to lead across functions without relying solely on formal authority.
  • Sound judgment, strategic foresight, emotional intelligence, adaptability, initiative, and the ability to navigate ambiguity and high-pressure situations.
  • Experience leveraging security technology and travel risk management systems to support operational objectives.
  • An advanced degree and professional certifications such as CPP, PSP, PCI, CSMP, ISO 31000 Risk Management, or equivalent are advantageous.
  • Experience with anti-trafficking, human rights, rule of law, child protection, humanitarian, or similar mission-driven organizations is preferred.
  • Candidates must have authorization to work in the United States.
  • Candidates located in the Washington, DC area will work in a hybrid arrangement, with onsite work Tuesdays and Thursdays; non-local candidates may work remotely.
  • The role requires alignment with the organization’s Christian mission and a mature orthodox Christian faith as defined by the Apostles’ Creed.

  Benefits:

  • Competitive compensation, with a listed salary range of $103,800–$173,300 depending on qualifications, experience, and work location.
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
  • Retirement benefit options.
  • Paid leave starting at 23 days.
  • 12 paid holidays, plus early release the day before holidays.
  • Monthly commuter and parking benefits for eligible employees in the Washington, DC metro area.
  • Daily, quarterly, and annual opportunities for community spiritual formation.
  • Robust staff-care and employee support resources.
  • Mission-driven, globally connected work focused on protecting vulnerable people and strengthening safety in complex environments.
  • Remote flexibility for eligible non-local U.S. candidates, with a hybrid schedule for Washington, DC-area employees.