Vp, Security Jobs

How You’ll Contribute

The National Geographic Society headquarters, based in Washington, D.C., is undergoing a $300 million public space renovation project to be completed in 2026 (called Base Camp). The new public space will include a state-of-the-art lobby, theater, iconic photo gallery, exhibition space, immersive walk-through attraction, one-of-a-kind outdoor nighttime projection show, retail store, restaurant, rooftop bar, education center, tour program, and event space. The project also includes a National Geographic branded hotel. The transformed campus of National Geographic will be prepared to receive up to 1 million visitors per year and will be open 7 days per week.

The Vice President will report to the Head of Campus Planning and Operations and will be responsible for leading the existing security team at National Geographic’s campus and transforming the security posture from an office-first approach to one that is both secure and welcoming for our increased visitation and expanded experience offerings. The Vice President will lead the planning of both the physical security infrastructure and the security personnel.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include

Securing Campus (30%)

• Ensure that campus office space is secure, with appropriate access control and credentialing protocols, including office receptionists and business guest procedures
• Establish relationships with all campus tenants and maintain strong communication with them related to physical security, ensuring campus policies are adhered to by their staff and guests
• Oversee security for the Hotel, overseeing all aspects of physical security for the Hotel and integrating it into the larger campus security planning and operations
• Ensure that the new Base Camp visitor attractions are secure, while remaining welcoming and accessible; establish and enact security protocols for a variety of scenarios
• Oversee parking operations for campus, including access control, parking policies, parking wait list, etc.
• Ensure that both NG-hosted events and event rentals at Base Camp and in the Hotel are secure, establishing and enacting appropriate protocols for different sizes and styles of event

Building and Leading Team (30%)

• Develop staff training programs that will prioritize excellent customer service and advancement of membership goals while maintaining a secure campus
• Recommend the necessary organizational structure for the security team for the opening of Base Camp and the Hotel, including number of staff, positions/duties, hours, and timeline for hiring; recruit, hire, and train the full team prior to opening
• Ensure security team is integrated into the broader Campus team
• Evaluate and improve existing security team protocols, including posts, patrols, and training
• Create a culture of learning, developing staff internally from junior positions and providing opportunity for advancement

Department Strategy and Planning (25%)

• Lead the planning of people movement and crowd control, particularly as it relates to the nighttime courtyard show and M Street
• Responsible for creating and managing the department’s annual expense budget; and leading up to the opening of Base Camp and the Hotel, create multiple projected budgets based on various scenarios
• Provide expertise in selecting technologies for the Base Camp and Hotel renovations and assess current technologies for long-term suitability – walk-through screening, people tracking software, access control systems, camera systems, communications, etc.
• Provide expertise in recommending the physical layout of spaces under renovation – ingress and egress plans, command center, Hotel security office, etc.

Threat Mitigation (15%)

• Maintain a proactive posture in preparing for potential threats
• Establish and leverage a network of security professionals in the DC/MD/VA region to be aware of and prepared for area-wide threats and events
• Recommend and enact a system for monitoring and reacting to threats to National Geographic’s physical assets and staff
• Oversee emergency preparedness planning for campus, including distinct plans, communication, and drills for the various areas and audiences of National Geographic

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree required; Advanced degree preferred

Minimum Years And Type Of Experience

7+ years of management experience with 15+ years’ experience in the physical security industry for visitor attractions, museums, stadiums/arenas, and/or law enforcement

Necessary Knowledge And Skills

• Understanding of the current trends in the physical security industry
• Proven ability to attract, mentor, motivate, and lead a strong, cohesive and high-performing team
• Strong work ethic and ability to develop and implement policies, practices, and systems
• Superior written and oral communications skills
• Expertise in physical security planning and operations
• Proficiency in both the Microsoft Office suite and Google Workspace tools
• Sound judgement, strategic thinking, and ability to act decisively

Desired Qualifications

• Proactive, positive, customer service mindset
• Demonstrated success in building, training, and leading a team, preferably during the planning and opening of a new facility
• Ability to work in a fast paced, multi-phase project environment with shifting priorities
• Ability to work nights and weekends as needed; on call 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
• Experience creating and managing department budget
• Ability to excel during change management and guide a team through transformational growth

Supervision

The Vice President will lead a team of 20+ existing security and reception staff, and they will be responsible for recommending an appropriate organizational structure to support the future security operations for Base Camp and Hotel.

Salary Information

As a leading nonprofit organization, National Geographic Society offers competitive salary and total rewards to attract, develop, and retain an innovative and dynamic workforce.

The salary range for this position starts at $225,000

Job Designation

Resident - Our Resident category recognizes that certain staff need to be physically present at Base Camp to do their work. Some Resident staff must always be onsite to do their jobs, while others may only need to be physically present some of the time. Some Resident staff may need to come into Base Camp every day, some may need to come in to meet looming deadlines and to get work done, and others may require a more unique schedule. The days Resident staff come into the office will be determined by their teams and workflow, and they should work with their supervisors to determine their specific schedule. And throughout the year, their schedule can be adjusted based on cyclical work cycles, deadlines, and/or ebbs and flows of work. As a guideline, Resident staff will be in the office between 3-5 days a week.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.