Group Director, Security - Protective Operations

Walmart Distribution Center; Bentonville (AR); On-site; USD 160,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Live Better U education

Paid time off

401(k)

Job summary

Walmart is seeking a Group Director of Protective Operations in Bentonville, AR to lead Corporate Security, Executive Protection, and Event Safety & Security across the US. This senior role requires strategic vision, executive presence, and the ability to balance protection with business needs.

Responsibilities include directing security programs for facilities, executives, and major events, driving modernization through technology and data, and partnering with cross-functional teams to deliver

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience leading large-scale protective operations.
• Significant senior leadership experience in executive protection and corporate security.
• Executive leadership experience developing and leading high-performing teams and transforming organizations.
• Excellent executive presence, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience protecting senior executives and supporting high-visibility events.
• Ability to modernize operations and translate emerging technologies into practical security outcomes.
• Working understanding of AI, automation, analytics in security.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy and operations for protecting Walmart’s Home Office campuses and critical facilities across the United States.
• Oversee Corporate Security, Executive Protection, and Event Safety & Security programs.
• Develop scalable security plans for large corporate events and executive gatherings; coordinate with cross-functional teams.
• Set vision for Protective Operations and continuously evaluate evolving threats and technology.
• Build and mentor leaders; manage budgets and evolving talent strategies.

Skills

8+ years protective ops

Executive leadership

Executive protection

Stakeholder management

Modernize operations

AI/ analytics awareness

Business acumen

Job description

Group Director, Security - Protective Operations

Location: Bentonville, AR

703 Associate Dr, Bentonville, AR 72712-6556

Job ID: R-2654949

Annual Salary: $160,000 - $320,000/yr

Contract: Regular/ Permanent

Position Summary

The Group Director, Protective Operations is a senior leader within Walmart Global Security responsible for protecting our associates, executives, facilities, events, and other critical assets across a complex and highly visible operating environment. This leader oversees three core protective functions: Corporate Security, Executive Protection, and Event Safety & Security. The role requires deep expertise in protective operations combined with strong business judgment, executive presence, operational discipline, and an understanding of how security enables the business. The successful candidate will bring significant protection and security leadership experience, but equally important, will understand that effective security at Walmart must reflect our culture, support our associates, enable the business, and deliver an experience appropriate for the environment. This leader will also be expected to define and advance the future of protective operations at Walmart; constantly challenging traditional approaches, anticipating emerging risks, and identifying opportunities to leverage technology, data, automation, artificial intelligence, and new operating models to improve protection, awareness, speed, efficiency, and the associate experience.

What you'll do

Corporate Security

• Lead the strategy and operations responsible for protecting Walmart’s Home Office campus, corporate offices, critical facilities, and other designated locations across the United States.
• Provide leadership and oversight for Physical Security Specialists (PSS), bike patrol, Corporate Security Operations Center (CSOC), and other protective services.
• Oversee security programs supporting critical infrastructure and specialized facilities, including data centers, optical laboratories, central fill facilities, and other Health & Wellness operations.
• Establish consistent standards for physical security, access control, incident response, communications, staffing, training, and operational readiness.
• Ensure security operations deliver both strong protection and a professional, service-oriented associate experience.

Executive Protection

• Lead Walmart’s Executive Protection program, including protection strategies for designated executives and other individuals based on risk.
• Oversee protective intelligence integration, advance operations, travel security coordination, transportation, residential considerations, and other protective requirements.
• Exercise exceptional discretion and judgment in highly sensitive matters involving designated executives, individuals and the company.

Event Safety & Security

• Lead safety and security planning and execution for Walmart’s largest corporate events, including Year Beginning Meeting, Holiday Meeting, Shareholders Meeting and Associate Week, as well as Board meetings, executive offsites, leadership meetings, and other events throughout the year.
• Develop scalable security strategies for events ranging from small executive gatherings to some of the largest private‑sector corporate meetings in the world.
• Integrate threat and risk assessments, venue security, access control, executive protection, emergency preparedness, medical response, law enforcement coordination, and crisis management into comprehensive event plans.
• Partner closely with business leaders, event teams, communications, legal, facilities, aviation, law enforcement, and other stakeholders.

Strategy, Innovation & Modernization

• Set a forward‑looking vision for Protective Operations, continuously evaluating how the organization must evolve to address changing threats, business needs, technology, and expectations.
• Challenge the status quo and routinely question whether existing processes, staffing models, technologies, and protective strategies remain the most effective way to reduce risk and serve the business.
• Use technology and data to improve situational awareness, decision‑making, early threat identification, response speed, resource deployment, and operational efficiency.
• Partner with technology, innovation, legal, privacy, and business teams to move promising capabilities from concept and pilot to scalable enterprise solutions.
• Benchmark leading practices inside and outside the security industry and bring new thinking into Walmart rather than relying solely on traditional protective models.
• Build a culture of responsible experimentation, continuous improvement, and learning where leaders are expected to identify better ways of working.

Leadership & Enterprise Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive talent strategy across a diverse organization by attracting, developing, and retaining high‑performing associates and leaders. Align workforce planning with business priorities, anticipate future talent needs, build a strong leadership pipeline, and foster a culture of inclusion, accountability and continuous learning.
• Establish clear standards, accountability, operating rhythms, metrics, and continuous improvement across Protective Operations.
• Build strong partnerships with senior executives and leaders across Walmart and Sam’s Club.
• Translate emerging threats and intelligence into proportionate protective measures and clear recommendations for business leaders.
• Develop and manage operating and capital budgets while ensuring responsible financial stewardship and operational efficiency
• Lead effectively during critical incidents, making timely decisions with incomplete information while maintaining clear communication and command.
• Develop strong relationships with federal, state, and local law enforcement and other external security partners.
• Ensure programs comply with applicable laws, regulations, company policies, and Walmart’s standards of ethics and integrity.
• Build an organization prepared not only for today’s risks, but for what comes next.

What you’ll bring

• 8+ years of experience leading large‑scale or multifaceted protective operations, preferably within a major corporation or similarly complex organization.
• Significant senior leadership experience in executive protection, corporate security, protective operations, law enforcement, military, intelligence, or a comparable complex security environment with the ability to operate effectively during high‑pressure and rapidly evolving situations.
• Executive leadership experience developing and leading high‑performing teams and leading organizations through significant transformation and modernization efforts.
• Exceptional executive presence, communication, relationship‑building, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior leadership and business partners.
• Experience protecting senior executives and supporting highly visible or high‑risk events.
• Strong business acumen and ability to balance security requirements with operational, cultural, reputational, and business considerations.
• Demonstrated ability to modernize operations, challenge established practices, and translate emerging technologies into practical business and security outcomes.
• Working understanding of AI, automation, analytics, and emerging physical security technologies, with the curiosity and judgment to identify where they can, and cannot, create value.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed in the role. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. The full Job Description can be made available as part of the hiring process.

At Walmart, we offer competitive pay as well as performance‑based bonus awards and other great benefits for a happier mind, body, and wallet. Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage. Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company‑paid life insurance. Paid time off benefits include PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting. Other benefits include short‑term and long‑term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more. You will also receive PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes. The amount you receive depends on your job classification and length of employment. It will meet or exceed the requirements of paid sick leave laws, where applicable. For information about PTO, see https://one.walmart.com/notices . Live Better U is a Walmart‑paid education benefit program for full‑time and part‑time associates in Walmart and Sam's Club facilities. Programs range from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, including English Language Learning and short‑form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart.

The annual salary range for this position is $160,000.00 – $320,000.00 Additional compensation includes annual or quarterly performance bonuses. Additional compensation for certain positions may also include:

• Stock

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to a specific plan or program terms. For information about benefits and eligibility, see One.Walmart.

Benefits you’ll enjoy

Discount Card

Get 10% off

Walmart associates are eligible for a 10% discount card on most regular‑priced items and fresh produce in‑store and on select items at Walmart.com. Eligible after 90 days of employment.

Live Better U

100% covered

Earn a degree or in‑demand skills certificates with no debt‑ Walmart covers 100% of tuition and books. Live Better U offers 60+ programs for Associates to pursue their dreams.

Ready to grow your career? Walmart Academy offers job‑specific retail training and leadership courses to help Associates reach their career goals.

Medical, dental, vision, and wellness programs for you and your family

Access mental health resources and assistance programs for life’s challenges

Training, leadership programs, and clear paths to advance.

Imagine a workplace surrounded by innovation.At Walmart’s new Home Office in Bentonville, Arkansas, we’re redefining what it means to work at a global leader.

Set on 350 acres of thoughtfully revitalized land, our new campus seamlessly integrates the charm of Northwest Arkansas with cutting‑edge design and technology. From biking trails and outdoor courtyards to flexible, tech‑enabled workspaces, every detail reflects our commitment to sustainability, connection, and culture.

With amenities like on‑site childcare at our Little Squiggles Children’s Enrichment Center, the Walton Family Whole Health & Fitness Center, and a vibrant food hall featuring local and international favorites, we’re creating a space where work‑life balance isn’t just a goal—it’s a reality.

Beyond the campus, Bentonville offers a dynamic lifestyle with world‑class dining, art at the Crystal Bridges Museum, and countless outdoor activities.

Whether you’re exploring High South cuisine, enjoying live performances at our new amphitheater, or cycling the Razorback Greenway, you’ll experience the perfect blend of small‑town charm and big‑city amenities.

Join us at Walmart and grow your career alongside a community that feels like home.

This isn’t just a workplace—it’s a destination for leaders eager to make a difference.

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