Director- Protection Operations

RiseMe; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Pinkerton seeks a Director of Protection Operations to lead Executive Protection programs across an assigned AOR, interfacing between field operations and senior leadership. You will manage Operations Managers, drive growth, and build vendor partnerships to ensure excellence, compliance, and client satisfaction.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree with at least ten years in security operations or related fields and five years managing multi-level teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least ten years of progressive experience in security ops, executive protection, risk management, or related disciplines.
• Minimum of five years experience managing managers or multi-level operations teams.
• Able to lead Executive Protection, Protective Services, or related programs.
• Able to analyze operational data, trends, and after-action findings to identify root causes and drive action.
• Able to oversee multi-state or regional operations with consistent standards and delivery.

Responsibilities

• Represent Pinkerton’s core values of integrity, vigilance, and excellence.
• Own operational leadership for the AOR and serve as the escalation point for critical incidents and client concerns.
• Drive standardization through reviews, after-action assessments, and continuous improvement.
• Manage, coach, and develop Operations Managers including performance management and succession planning.
• Lead regional workforce planning and staffing strategy with recruiting.
• Advise leadership, account teams, and clients on Executive Protection and protective services, shaping playbooks and standards.
• Collaborate with client-facing teams on proposals, RFPs, staffing models, scope, and pricing.
• Build and manage a regional vendor network with licensing, insurance, and performance standards.
• Partner with Compliance, Legal, Licensing, and Procurement for regulatory adherence.
• Lead after-action reviews and corrective action planning for incidents or gaps.
• All other duties as assigned.

Skills

Executive Protection

Operational leadership

Risk management

Data analysis

Cross-cultural communication

Staff development

Business development input

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, homeland security, business administration, or a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

170+ Years Strong. Industry Leader. Global Impact.At Pinkerton, the mission is to protect our clients. To do this, we provide enterprise risk management services and programs specifically designed for each client. Pinkerton employees are one of our most important assets and critical to the delivery of world-class solutions. Bonded together, we share a commitment to integrity, vigilance, and excellence.

Pinkerton is an inclusive employer who seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to join our network of industry subject matter experts.

The Director – Protection Operations will lead the delivery of Executive Protection, Long-Term, Short-Term, and specialized protective service programs within an assigned Area of Responsibility (AOR). This role is the key link between field operations and senior leadership — managing Operations Managers, driving commercial growth, and building strategic vendor partnerships to ensure operational excellence, compliance, and client satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Represent Pinkerton’s core values of integrity, vigilance, and excellence.
• Own operational leadership for the AOR, serving as the primary escalation point for critical incidents, staffing issues, and client concerns.
• Drive consistent execution of standards and procedures through operational reviews, after-action assessments, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage, coach, and develop Operations Managers, including performance management and succession planning.
• Lead regional workforce planning and staffing strategy in partnership with recruiting.
• Act as regional SME for Executive Protection and protective services, advising leadership, account teams, and clients, and shaping operational playbooks and standards.
• Partner with client-facing teams on business development, proposals, and RFPs, providing operational input on staffing models, scope, and pricing.
• Build and manage a qualified network of regional vendors, including contingency resources, ensuring licensing, insurance, and performance standards are met.
• Partner with Compliance, Legal, Licensing, and Procurement to ensure regulatory and contractual adherence, serving as the field-to-Compliance liaison.
• Lead after-action reviews and corrective action planning for significant incidents or service gaps.
• All other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, homeland security, business administration, or a related field with at least ten years of progressive experience in security operations, executive protection, law enforcement, military, intelligence, risk management, or related disciplines and a minimum of five years experience managing managers or multi-level operational teams.

• Able to apply subject matter expertise in leading Executive Protection, Protective Services, Security Operations, or related programs.
• Able to analyze operational data, trends, and after-action findings to identify root causes and drive corrective action.
• Able to oversee multi-state or regional operations, ensuring consistent execution of standards, staffing, and service delivery across all assigned locations.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to support high-profile clients and manage operational escalations with sound judgment and professionalism.
• Client orientated and results driven.
• Able to multi-task and organize workload for effective implementation.
• Able to interact effectively at all levels and across diverse cultures.
• Effective independent judgment and decision-making ability.
• Able to analyze complex situations and recommend solutions.
• Consistently delivers on commitments and achieves expected business results.
• Able to adapt as the external environment and organization evolve.
• Computer skills; Microsoft Office.

Working Conditions:

With or without reasonable accommodation, requires the physical and mental capacity to effectively perform all essential functions;

• Regular computer usage.
• Occasional reaching and lifting of small objects and operating office equipment.
• Frequent sitting, standing, and/or walking.
• Travel, as required.

Pinkerton is an equal opportunity employer to all applicants and positions without regard to race/ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex/gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital/prenatal status, pregnancy/childbirth or related conditions, religion, creed, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any protected status by local, state, federal or country-specific law.

Pay Range

USD $90,000.00 - USD $90,000.00 /Yr.