Manager, Security Protocol (Dignitary & VIP Protection)

la28careers; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 88,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Protective ops ownership

Work with protective agencies

High-trust team

Leadership in event security

Job summary

LA28 seeks a seasoned security leader to shape dignitary protection for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. You will lead planning with federal, state, and local agencies and coordinate with Protocol to ensure safety for IPPs and VIPs.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Public Safety, you will develop CONOPS, conduct risk assessments, and train teams in preparation for Games-time operations, ensuring secure movements and discreet protection across venues and arrivals.

Qualifications

• 8-10+ years in dignitary protection or related security roles.
• Strong NSSE operations understanding and multi-agency coordination.
• Experience with risk assessments and incident decision-making.
• Excellent communication to lead cross-functional teams.
• Experience with international multi-sport event security.

Responsibilities

• Lead liaison with federal, state, local, international, and host-nation agencies on dignitary security operations.
• Develop protective security CONOPS, SOPs, threat assessments, and contingency plans for Olympic and Paralympic Family members and foreign delegations.
• Plan secure arrivals, departures, motorcades, and transfer points across airports, hotels, and venues with transportation, protocol, and law enforcement partners.
• Build protective perimeters, access control, dignitary routes, and emergency procedures into venue operations with design, credentialing, protocol, and security teams.
• Prepare teams and partner agencies through training, tabletop exercises, and rehearsals, then lead Games-time coordination with Protocol.

Skills

Dignitary protection

Executive protection

Protocol security

Multi-agency security

Risk assessment

Job description

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance for any positions. If you are based outside the Los Angeles area, we still welcome your application - we value talent from all geographic backgrounds and want to hear from you if you are able to work on-site in LA.

Role Purpose

You will shape how LA28 protects the dignitaries, VIPs, and Internationally Protected Persons (IPPs) who attend the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Reporting to the Senior Director, Public Safety, you will lead dignitary protection planning for Security and act as its main counterpart to the Protocol function. In the years leading up to the Games, you will establish protective security operations from the ground up with federal, state, local, international, and host-nation agencies. Your judgment will keep each visit, movement, and venue arrival safe and discreet.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead liaison with federal, state, local, international, and host-nation agencies on dignitary, VIP, and IPP security operations.
• Develop protective security CONOPS, SOPs, threat assessments, and contingency plans for Olympic and Paralympic Family members and foreign delegations.
• Plan secure arrivals, departures, motorcades, and transfer points across airports, hotels, and venues with transportation, protocol, and law enforcement partners.
• Build protective perimeters, access control, dignitary routes, and emergency procedures into venue operations with design, credentialing, protocol, and security teams.
• Prepare teams and partner agencies through training, tabletop exercises, and rehearsals, then lead Games-time coordination with Protocol.

Required Competencies

• 8-10+ years in dignitary protection, executive protection, protocol security, protective intelligence, or major event security across government, law enforcement, military, or large-scale events.
• Strong understanding of National Special Security Event (NSSE) operations, IPP requirements, protective detail coordination, access control, and multi-agency security frameworks.
• Understanding of venue security design, security overlays, transportation operations, access management, security perimeters, and protective infrastructure for large-scale events.
• Proven ability to develop operational plans, conduct risk assessments, and make sound decisions under pressure during incidents and contingency response.
• Strong communication and relationship skills to lead cross-functional teams, facilitate training, and influence agencies, diplomatic representatives, and executive-level stakeholders.

Valued Experience

• Experience in international, multi-sport event security.
• Experience working with federal, state, or local government.
• Experience planning motorcade operations, secure arrivals, and transfer points.
• Experience partnering with protocol teams on foreign delegation visits.
• Experience working within live event command and coordination structures.

What We Offer

• Ownership of dignitary and VIP protective operations at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
• Daily work alongside federal, state, local, and international protective agencies and partners.
• A high-trust team that values sound judgment, discretion, and practical decisions.
• Major event security leadership experience that stays with you well beyond 2028.

What This Role Means for the Games

Dignitaries, foreign delegations, and Olympic and Paralympic Family members will arrive in Los Angeles trusting that their visits are safe. Your protective plans make that possible while venues stay open and welcoming for athletes, fans, and the community.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Available to work onsite in our Downtown Los Angeles-based office.
• The majority of work will be conducted in an office setting, requiring extended periods of time using computers, phones, and other office equipment.
• The LA28 office is an open floorplan working environment; employees must be able to work efficiently in an open cubicle environment.
• Hours of work may vary, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, especially during peak event periods.
• Perform other duties as required; the role will evolve over time and may include operational responsibilities during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Compensation

The annual base salary range for this position is $88,000 - $115,000. The pay scale provided is the range that LA28 reasonably expects to pay as starting base compensation for this role. All LA28 compensation remains subject to final determination based on individual candidate qualifications, experience, or other reasonable criteria consistent with LA28's operational business needs and applicable law.

Accommodation

LA28 is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require an accommodation at any stage, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Equal Opportunity

LA28 is committed to fair and unbiased recruitment procedures allowing all applicants an equal opportunity for employment, free