Global Director of Construction Security

Insight Global; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Insight Global seeks an experienced security leader to oversee strategy and operations across large-scale data center construction projects worldwide. The role protects personnel, critical infrastructure, and confidential client information across the lifecycle from site acquisition to handover.

The ideal candidate brings deep construction security experience, manages security programs across multiple regions, and partners with executive leadership, clients, and vendors to ensure security

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive security leadership experience.
• 5+ years supporting large-scale capital projects including data centers or critical infrastructure.
• Experience managing security programs across multiple regions or countries.
• Strong understanding of physical security operations, risk management, and incident response.
• Experience developing site security plans, emergency response procedures, and crisis management protocols.
• Knowledge of chain-of-custody processes for high-value equipment and assets.
• Familiarity with SOC 2 and ISO 27001 physical security requirements.
• Proven ability to collaborate with executive leadership, project teams, clients, and vendors.
• Experience managing third-party security vendors and security technology providers.
• Willingness to travel extensively to project locations globally.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a global construction security strategy for data center projects worldwide.
• Establish scalable security standards that evolve through construction and commissioning.
• Lead regional security managers and site security teams.
• Serve as primary security liaison for clients and executive stakeholders.
• Identify and mitigate theft, supply chain, insider threats, and access risks.

Skills

Security leadership

Construction security

Risk management

Incident response

Site security planning

Crisis management

Vendor management

Global travel

Executive liaison

Job description

We are seeking an experienced security leader to oversee security strategy and operations across large-scale data center construction projects globally. This individual will be responsible for protecting personnel, critical infrastructure, high-value equipment, and confidential client information throughout the entire project lifecycle, from site acquisition and mobilization through commissioning and final handover.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience in construction security, critical infrastructure protection, mission-critical facilities, or data center environments and possesses a proven ability to lead complex security programs across multiple regions while supporting demanding client security requirements.

Required

• 10+ years of progressive security leadership experience.
• 5+ years supporting construction, critical infrastructure, data center, mission-critical, industrial, or large-scale capital projects.
• Experience managing security programs across multiple regions or countries.
• Strong understanding of physical security operations, risk management, and incident response.
• Experience developing site security plans, emergency response procedures, and crisis management protocols.
• Knowledge of chain-of-custody processes for high-value equipment, materials, and technology assets.
• Familiarity with industry security and compliance standards, including SOC 2 and ISO 27001 physical security requirements.
• Proven ability to build relationships and collaborate with executive leadership, project teams, clients, and external stakeholders.
• Experience managing third-party security vendors, guard forces, and security technology providers.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively to project locations globally.

Preferred

• Military, law enforcement, executive protection, or critical infrastructure security background.
• Certified Protection Professional (CPP), Physical Security Professional (PSP), or equivalent certifications.
• Experience supporting hyperscale, cloud, colocation, or mission-critical clients.
• Background managing insider threat programs and highly confidential operating environments.
• Familiarity with data center security technologies including biometric access control, mantraps, perimeter intrusion detection systems (PIDS), CCTV, and advanced access control systems.

Key Responsibilities

Security Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute a global construction security strategy supporting data center projects worldwide.
• Establish scalable security standards and procedures that evolve throughout each phase of construction and commissioning.
• Lead and mentor regional security managers and site security teams.
• Serve as the primary security liaison for hyperscale clients, enterprise customers, and executive stakeholders.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to theft, supply chain vulnerabilities, insider threats, unauthorized access, and confidentiality concerns.

Site Security & Asset Protection

• Conduct comprehensive risk assessments evaluating local crime trends, geopolitical threats, labor risks, and critical infrastructure concerns.
• Develop project-specific security plans covering perimeter protection, access control, workforce management, equipment protection, and visitor protocols.
• Oversee security for high-value assets including electrical, mechanical, networking, and server infrastructure.
• Manage security technologies such as CCTV, badging systems, intrusion detection, drone monitoring, GPS asset tracking, and perimeter protection systems.
• Implement secure logistics, delivery coordination, and chain-of-custody programs for critical equipment and materials.

Incident Response & Crisis Management

• Lead investigations involving theft, fraud, security breaches, workplace incidents, and unauthorized access.
• Develop emergency response and business continuity procedures for severe weather, civil unrest, protests, and other critical events.
• Serve as incident commander during significant security events.
• Maintain strong relationships with law enforcement agencies, emergency responders, and critical infrastructure protection organizations.

Compliance & Client Security

• Ensure projects meet client-specific security expectations and contractual requirements.
• Support security audits, inspections, and pre-handover assessments.
• Track and report key security metrics, incidents, audit findings, and performance indicators.
• Manage global security budgets, security technology investments, and contracted security services.
• Partner with Legal, Operations, Construction, Commissioning, and Client Security teams to maintain compliance throughout the project lifecycle.

Training & Project Handover

• Deliver security awareness and site access training for employees, contractors, and subcontractors.
• Support commissioning teams during the transition from active construction sites to fully operational facilities.
• Participate in client security reviews, audits, and due diligence visits.
• Ensure security systems, procedures, and documentation are fully transitioned at project completion.

This is a highly visible leadership role offering the opportunity to build and oversee security programs for some of the world's most advanced and critical data center developments.