Director Executive Protection

Epwired; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Epwired in Nashville, TN, is seeking a Director of Executive Protection to lead its Executive Protection and Event Protection programs. This role requires 10+ years in security or protective services along with 5+ years specifically in executive or event protection. Responsibilities include safeguarding executives, oversight of travel security, and partnership with law enforcement. Candidates must possess a valid driver's license, CPR certification, and strong leadership capabilities. The position demands up to 50% travel and may require irregular hours.

Qualifications

• 10+ years experience in security or military, and/or protective services is required.
• 5+ years in executive protection or event protection experience, preferably in high-tempo environments.
• Experience in leading teams and programs, including staffing and performance management is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own the Executive Protection and Event Protection program framework.
• Serve as a protective security advisor to designated executives.
• Establish and maintain risk methodology and guide protective planning.
• Oversee protective operations for executive travel and events.
• Develop and maintain relationships with law enforcement and security counterparts.

Skills

Executive Presence

Program Leadership

Operational Expertise

Protective Intelligence

Stakeholder Management

Vendor Management

Decision-Making Under Pressure

Leadership and Development

Ethics and Confidentiality

Education

10+ years of experience in security, military, law enforcement, and/or protective services

5+ years of executive protection and/or event protection experience

3+ years of experience leading teams/programs

Tools

Valid driver’s license

CPR/AED/First Aid certification

Executive Protection training/certification

Job description

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. The Director oversees protective operations through direct reports and approved vendors, drives continuous improvement through metrics and after-action learning, and partners across the enterprise (e.g., Executive Office, Corporate Travel, Events, Facilities, Legal/HR, PSOC) to align protective measures with business needs.

This role may have direct reports and requires frequent travel and the ability to work irregular hours, including nights and weekends, as business needs require.

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.

Education & Experience:

• 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

Licenses, Certifications & Training:

• Valid driver’s license – Required
• CPR/AED/First Aid (or ability to obtain within 90 days) – Required
• HR-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

This position requires up to 50% travel.