Mgr, Coporate Security

Dairyland Power Cooperative; La Crosse (WI); On-site; USD 135,000 - 203,000; Full time

Job summary

Dairyland Power Cooperative is seeking a Security Program Leader to oversee the corporate security program, development of staff, and risk-based protection across facilities and critical infrastructure.

The role requires leadership, regulatory knowledge, and the ability to coordinate with IT, operations, and external vendors to protect employees and assets. Bachelor’s degree and 7+ years of security leadership are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, security management, information systems, engineering, or a related field is required.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in corporate security, security technology, or related technical field with leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead security program teams, establish expectations, and develop staff.
• Plan and oversee physical security for multiple sites, including access control and surveillance.
• Coordinate executive protection planning and protective logistics as needed.
• Develop and implement security policies, incident response, and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate with IT, legal, and operations to ensure integrative security measures.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Risk assessment

Incident response

Executive protection

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Travel readiness

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/security management/related field

Tools

Access control systems

Video surveillance systems

Security analytics software

Job description

Hiring Salary Range: $135,400 - $203,100

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Leadership and Employee Development

• Lead, coach, mentor, and evaluate the Corporate Security Program Manager and Corporate Security Specialist; establish clear expectations, accountability, and development goals; provide oversight to contracted security personnel as applicable.
• Assess team competencies, identify training needs, build individual development plans, and provide opportunities for progressive responsibility.
• Develop succession and cross-training plans to strengthen team readiness and continuity.
• Promote sound judgment, professional conduct, effective communication, and a service-oriented security culture.
• Establish corporate security priorities including multi-site planning, staffing and budgeting.

Physical Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection

• Plan, implement, and continuously improve risk-based physical security practices for offices, generation facilities, transmission assets, and other operational locations as applicable.
• Maintain a regular field presence through site visits, inspections, and engagement with operational personnel.
• Conduct or coordinate threat, risk, and vulnerability assessments; prioritize corrective actions and track their completion.
• Responsible for leading the coordinated response to significant security incidents, directing security investigations and guiding cross-functional decisions that protect employees, facilities, critical infrastructure and cooperative operations.
• Oversee access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, visitor management, and related security technologies; partner with IT and cybersecurity on secure integration.
• Develop and maintain security policies, site procedures, and response protocols; support applicable regulatory and compliance obligations in coordination with responsible teams.
• Manage security vendors, service providers, contracts, and performance standards.

Executive Protection and Protective Planning

• Responsible for establishing and overseeing a risk-based executive protection program for designated leaders that involves threat assessment, protective planning and coordination.
• May provide direct protective duties when warranted.
• Develop proportionate protective plans for travel, meetings, events, and elevated-threat situations.
• Coordinate protective logistics, secure transportation arrangements, route and venue assessments, contingency plans, and contracted protective resources when appropriate.
• Advise executive leadership on personal security, travel risk, and emergency procedures while maintaining discretion and confidentiality.
• Provide or coordinate direct protective support when necessary, consistent with training, assigned responsibilities, and risk.

Logistics, Operational Planning, and Emergency Response

• Plan and coordinate personnel, equipment, vendors, schedules, communications, and other resources for routine and special security operations.
• Prepare operational plans, contingencies, and after-action reviews for planned events and unplanned incidents.
• Coordinate security incident response, investigations, documentation, and corrective action with Human Resources, Legal, Operations, and public safety partners.
• Participate in emergency preparedness, crisis management exercises, and business continuity planning.

Program and Project Management

• Lead security improvement initiatives and technology projects across multiple locations, managing scope, priorities, timelines, and stakeholder expectations.
• Develop meaningful performance measures and communicate trends, emerging risks, resource needs, and recommendations to leadership.
• Serve as a backup to the Corporate Security Program Manager as necessary.
• Support budgets, capital planning, vendor selection, and contract administration; evaluate program effectiveness and opportunities for improvement.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in business, security management, information systems, engineering, or a related field required.

Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in corporate security, security technology, or related technical field, with previous leadership experience required. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong working knowledge of physical security systems, including access control, video surveillance, and supporting infrastructure
• Working knowledge of physical security systems, risk assessment, incident response, and operational planning.
• Ability to organize complex operations, communicate with senior leaders, and coordinate effectively across functions.
• Knowledge of executive protection principles and the ability to coordinate protective planning.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Ability to translate technical concepts into practical business solutions
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders across all levels of the organization
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on practical, results-oriented outcomes
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey technical concepts to non-technical audiences
• Self-driven with the ability to operate independently in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Familiarity with regulatory environments such as NERC-CIP, MTSA, or similar frameworks preferred
• Experience coordinating with cross-functional teams such as IT, operations, and external vendors
• Ability to travel between sites on a regular basis
• Must be available outside of traditional work hours when necessary.

Licenses and Certifications

Must have valid Driver’s License.

With headquarters in La Crosse, Wis., Dairyland is a generation and transmission cooperative that provides wholesale energy for 24 electric distribution cooperatives and 17 municipal utilities in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.

At Dairyland, we know that happy employees are the backbone of any good organization. By offering an excellent compensation and benefits package, opportunities for career growth and a supportive environment, Dairyland helps ensure a quality business and premier workplace.