Sr. Director, Global Physical Security Technology

Digital Realty; Dallas (TX); Hybrid; USD 190,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Digital Realty is seeking a Senior Director, Global Physical Security Technology for a hybrid role in the US. The role shapes the security technology strategy, standards, and operations, guiding programs from design to delivery.

You will lead a global team, manage budgets, and collaborate with IT, Facilities, and Risk Management to advance AI-enabled access control, video management, and PIAM/PSIM deployments.

Qualifications

• Deep expertise in access control, video management, and perimeter security.
• Proven experience with PIAM/PSIM integrations.
• Strong budgets and project delivery capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee global physical security technology operations and governance.
• Lead planning and delivery of global security tech projects.
• Architect and support security apps and infrastructure.
• Manage budgets and relationships with consultants and integrators.
• Partner with IT, Facilities, Cyber Security and Risk to deliver solutions.
• Drive AI adoption and emerging tech for security.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies and regulations.

Skills

Security technology leadership

Access control systems expertise

Video management platforms

PIAM/PSIM platforms

AI in security technology

Budget management

Education

CPP/PSP/CISSP certification

Tools

AMAG

Lenel

PSIM

PIAM

Job description

Job Description

Senior Director, Global Physical Security Technology

Location - Hybrid - US (Central and East)

Your role

The Senior Director, Global Physical Security Technology acts as a strategic advisor to the VP of Global Security, providing expert guidance on all physical security technology matters. This role leads and shapes the organization’s physical security technology strategy, systems, and operations, driving transformation and excellence in project execution. The Senior Director ensures solutions align with business objectives, comply with internal policies, and embrace innovation.

Overall Responsibilities

What you’ll do

• Oversee all aspects of physical security technology operations including programming, commissioning, system health, upgrades, integrations, architecture, and governance.
• Administer multiple physical security databases, servers, applications (including PAIM and PSIM), maintaining accountability for enterprise-wide system upgrades and integrations.
• Establish and execute global strategies for diverse access control and video management systems.
• Direct the planning, execution, and delivery of global physical security technology projects, ensuring consistency and full compliance with company standards.
• Serve as the subject matter expert and lead for all physical security technology systems, including proximity and biometric access control, PIAM and PSIM, video management, intrusion detection, and related technologies.
• Manage relationships, budgets, work output, and performance of consultants and physical security integrators.
• Build strategic partnerships across Operations, IT, Global Facilities, Cyber Security, and Risk Management to deliver holistic physical security solutions.
• Spearhead initiatives to adopt AI and emerging technologies for physical security, including strategy development for AI integration.
• Ensure compliance with all internal policies and external regulatory requirements.
• Domestic and international travel may be 25% or more to support and ensure consistent quality of global security technology delivery.
• Architect, design, implement, and support physical security applications and associated infrastructure.

Team Management

• Lead and mentor a global team of physical security technologists, including managers, individual contributors, and third-party contractors and consultants responsible for 24/7 coverage.
• Oversee staffing and coverage to ensure rapid response and continuous operations.
• Set clear performance expectations, providing regular feedback and coaching to drive team success.
• Coordinate the activities of third-party contractors, consultants, and integrators to maintain quality standards and compliance.
• Foster collaboration across internal teams and external partners for seamless project execution.

Budget Management

• Develop, manage, and optimize large budgets for physical security technology operations and projects.
• Allocate resources efficiently and identify cost‑saving opportunities.
• Oversee contracts, payments, and financial agreements with third‑party consultants.
• Ensure strict compliance with organizational financial controls and reporting requirements.
• Monitor and mitigate financial risks to support operational continuity.

Continuous Improvement

• Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes to drive proactive adoption of best‑in‑class solutions.
• Champion ongoing improvements in operational processes, technical solutions, service delivery, and incident response.
• Seek out efficiencies and future‑proofing opportunities for the security technology function.

What You’ll Need

• Deep technical expertise in access control systems, video management platforms, perimeter security controls, intrusion detection, and related security technologies.
• Advanced proficiency in PIAM and PSIM platforms, including implementation and systems integration.
• Extensive experience in physical security technology architecture, programming, software lifecycle management, and project delivery.
• Proven ability to manage large budgets and lead teams of 30+ proprietary employees, third‑party contractors and consultants.
• Knowledgeable in AI‑driven physical security solutions and technical design/engineering standards.
• Thorough understanding of compliance, regulatory frameworks, and global operational standards.
• Hands‑on expertise with physical security software such as AMAG, Lenel, or comparable platforms.
• Relevant certifications strongly preferred (e.g., CPP, PSP, CISSP).
• Strong foundation in project and program management.
• Field experience in installing and maintaining physical access control and video management systems a plus.
• Exceptional leadership, people management, and mentoring capabilities.
• Ability to operate effectively in a matrix organization, collaborating across functions and influencing stakeholders without direct authority.
• Strategic thinker with advanced problem‑solving skills.
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication.
• Excellent stakeholder management and collaboration across cross‑functional teams.
• Outstanding customer service orientation.
• Adaptable to evolving technologies and changing business requirements.
• High level of professional integrity and accountability.

A Bit About Us

Digital Realty brings companies and data together by delivering the full spectrum of data center, colocation and interconnection solutions. PlatformDIGITAL®, the company’s global data center platform, provides customers with a secure data meeting place and a proven Pervasive Datacenter Architecture (PDx®) solution methodology for powering innovation and efficiently managing Data Gravity challenges. Digital Realty gives its customers access to the connected data communities that matter to them with a global data center footprint of 300+ facilities in 50+ metros across 25+ countries on six continents.

To learn more about Digital Realty, please visit digitalrealty.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

A Bit About Our Team

Our Operations team keeps our customers’ infrastructure running safely and securely. We get plenty of opportunities to take on a variety of tasks and develop our technical skills. From overseeing electrical power to cooling and fire suppression systems, our team plays a vital role in making sure everything in our data centers operates as it should.

What We Can Offer You

Our rapidly evolving business sector offers the opportunity to be part of a courageous and passionate team who work together to understand and meet the changing needs of our global customers.

Join us and you’ll be part of a supportive and inclusive environment where you can bring your whole self to work. As part of our team, you’ll get to work with people from different business areas, challenge the way we do things and put your ideas into action. We’ll also give you plenty of development opportunities so you can build a rewarding and successful career with us.

Health and Safety

Safety isn't just a priority here at Digital; it's critical to everything we do. Safeguarding lives, protecting assets, and securing data aren't just ideals - they're essential pillars of our commitment to excellence for our people, our partners and our customers. We have a culture of care where every member of Team Digital embraces a relentless pursuit of working safely across Digital Realty. Together we are Safely Powering Progress.

Our Compensation Philosophy

Digital Realty offers its employees a highly competitive compensation package, excellent benefits, and an environment that recognizes and rewards your contributions. Central to our compensation philosophy is rewarding our employees for achieving the values and objectives aligned to the company's overall goals and values.

Our published pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum target for new hire pay for the full‑time position determined by role, level, and geographical location. Individual pay is based on additional factors including but not limited to job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education and/or training. Moreover, an employee’s total compensation package varies by role and may include salary, cash bonus or commissions, and equity awards not quantified below.

Compensation range $190,000 – $200,000. This compensation range represents the Company’s good faith belief as to what it will pay as a base salary for this position at the time of this posting.

Benefits: For this role, Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, 401k match, disability benefits, wellness and education benefits, employee stock purchase plan, paid time off, holidays, and more.