Director, Physical Security

NVA; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 160,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

National Veterinary Associates (NVA) is seeking a Director of Physical Security to own enterprise security strategy, governance, and operations across a large, distributed organization of hospitals and corporate environments. The role drives crisis management readiness, incident response, and executive protection while partnering with Legal, HR, and Operations to safeguard employees and facilities.

Based onsite in Nashville, TN, this leadership position requires 12+ years in security leadership,

Qualifications

• 12+ years in physical security, risk management, or crisis response leadership.
• Experience supporting multi-site or distributed operations (healthcare, retail, or field-based).
• Proven experience leading crisis management and incident response programs.
• Strong cross-functional leadership across Legal, Compliance, HR, Operations and Executives.
• Experience managing security vendors, external partners, and third-party risk.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the enterprise physical security strategy, including standards, policies, and operating model across facilities and corporate locations.
• Own crisis management and response readiness, including playbooks, simulations, escalation protocols, and cross-functional coordination.
• Lead executive protection and high-risk event security, ensuring coverage for leadership and sensitive situations.
• Oversee enterprise security operations, including facility security, access control, monitoring, and incident response.
• Partner with Legal & Compliance, HR, and Operations on workplace safety, investigations, and high-risk scenarios.
• Manage external security vendors and partners, ensuring performance and cost-efficiency.
• Provide leadership-level visibility into security risks, incidents, and mitigation actions.

Skills

Physical Security Strategy

Crisis Management

Executive Protection

Vendor Management

Cross-Functional Leadership

Job description

Job Summary:

The Director, Physical Security owns enterprise physical security across strategy, governance, and operations for a large-scale, distributed multi-site organization. Responsible for protecting employees, facilities, executives, and critical assets while enabling safe, uninterrupted business operations across hospitals and corporate environments. Key participant in crisis management and incident response readiness, ensuring clear protocols, escalation, and coordination during high-impact events. Partners across Legal, Operations, People, and Executive Leadership to provide a consistent, enterprise-wide approach to security and risk mitigation.

Key job duties:

• Define and lead the enterprise physical security strategy, including standards, policies, and operating model across facilities and corporate locations
• Own crisis management and response readiness, including playbooks, simulations, escalation protocols, and cross-functional coordination
• Lead executive protection and high-risk event security, ensuring appropriate coverage for leadership and sensitive situations
• Oversee enterprise security operations, including facility security, access control, monitoring, and incident response
• Partner with Legal & Compliance, HR, and Operations on workplace safety, investigations, and high-risk employee or site scenarios
• Manage external security vendors and partners, ensuring performance, coverage, and cost-effectiveness
• Provide leadership-level visibility into security risks, incidents, and mitigation actions

Key Deliverables/Outcomes:

• Enterprise physical security strategy and operating model in place
• Crisis management framework tested and trusted across leadership
• Adopt enterprise-wide business continuity plan
• Consistent, scalable facility and executive security posture across the organization
• Clear incident response protocols and coordinated cross-functional execution
• Improved enterprise readiness for crisis scenarios and safety events

Success Metrics & KPIs:

• Reduction in security incidents and response time across facilities
• Crisis response readiness (tested playbooks, response simulations, leadership engagement)
• Compliance with enterprise security policies and standards
• Executive and employee safety outcomes (incident severity and impact minimized)
• Vendor performance and cost efficiency across security services

Qualifications and Requirements:

• 12+ years in physical security, risk management, or crisis response leadership
• Experience supporting multi-site or distributed operations, such as healthcare, retail, or field-based environments
• Proven experience leading crisis management and incident response programs
• Strong cross-functional leadership across Legal & Compliance, HR, Operations, and Executive stakeholders
• Experience managing security vendors, external partners, and third-party risk
• Ability to operate effectively in high-pressure, fast-moving situations

Skills & Competencies:

Proficiency levels: Foundational / Proficient / Expert

• Physical Security Strategy & Governance — Expert
• Crisis Management & Incident Response — Expert
• Executive Protection & Facility Security Operations — Proficient
• Vendor & External Security Partner Management — Proficient
• Cross-Functional Leadership (Legal, HR, Operations) — Expert

Key Internal Stakeholders:

Chief Legal Officer, COO, CHRO, Executive Leadership Team

Key External Stakeholders:

Security vendors, local law enforcement and emergency services, external risk and security partners

Physical Demands of the Job:

Predominantly sedentary, hybrid or office-based work with prolonged sitting, computer use, presentations, and meetings. Travel expected to be approximately 25%, and perhaps more frequently in initial phase of role. Standard office demands apply with occasional evening or weekend work as business needs require.

Job requirements, including essential job responsibilities, key deliverables and outcomes, and success metrics, all subject to change based on business needs.

Job Location: onsite in Nashville, TN

Travel: approx. 20% annual travel

FLSA Classification: Exempt

The base salary range for this full-time position is $160,000-$210,000 annually. Our salary ranges are primarily determined by role, level, and location. The range provided for each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

*This role is not open to receiving agency candidates and any contingent submissions will not be honored.

National Veterinary Associates (NVA) is a leading North American pet health care company with nearly 1,300 locations spanning general practice veterinary hospitals, Ethos emergency and specialty hospitals, and pet resorts and equine veterinary care. With approximately 40,000 team members, we care for pets and support pet families in communities across the United States and Canada. Our purpose is to give pets and the people who love them more quality years together, and our mission is to make care more personal, easy and accessible while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life. Across NVA, we support our teams with the resources, expertise and opportunities they need to deliver exceptional care and help shape the future of veterinary and pet care.

Purpose: Give pets and the people who love them more quality years together

Mission: Transform the pet family experience to be personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life.

Values: Care Deeply, Do What’s Right, One Team, Own It, Shape What’s Next

One NVA: Bringing General Practice & Ethos Together

NVA is built to make care personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine across every stage of a pet’s life.

At National Veterinary Associates, we want to make sure your experience connecting with us is seamless and straightforward. Here’s what to expect when interacting with us:

NVA offers a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, a 401k with employer match, and paid time off (including sick time) for all eligible employees. The team can provide more information about compensation and benefits for your specific location during the process. For positions based in Colorado, NVA provides eligible employees with paid sick and safe leave and public health emergency leave in accordance with the requirements of Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.

NVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.