Director, Physical Security

Everwise Credit Union•South Bend, IN

About The Position

The Director, Physical Security is responsible for the strategic vision, leadership, design, risk, and oversight of the organization’s physical security program across all facilities and operations. This role ensures the protection of employees, customers, facilities, and critical assets through effective governance of access controls, surveillance systems, alarms, guard services, investigations, and risk management practices. The Director, Physical Security partners closely with executive leadership, Legal, Compliance, Fraud, Risk, and Business Continuity teams to ensure alignment with regulatory expectations and enterprise risk tolerance within a financial services environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Security Management, Risk Management, or a related field.
6+ years’ experience progressive physical security experience within a financial institution or similarly regulated environment.
4+ years’ experience leading, coaching, developing a team and managing employee performance
Experience managing enterprise security systems and contract guard services
Must be able to travel regularly to assigned site locations and respond to after-hours incidents, as needed

Nice To Haves

Master’s preferred
Relevant certifications such as Certified Protection Professional (CPP) or Physical Security Professional (PSP) preferred

Responsibilities

Develop and execute the comprehensive enterprise physical security strategy aligned with organizational risk posture and regulatory requirements.
Establish and maintain physical security policies, standards, and procedures governing access control, surveillance, alarm systems, and guard operations.
Provide executive-level reporting on security risks, incidents, trends, and mitigation efforts.
Oversee enterprise-wide physical security risk assessments, vulnerability analyses, and site security audits.
Ensure protection of critical infrastructure, cash facilities, data centers, branches, and corporate offices.
Partner with Enterprise Risk Management to identify, assess, and mitigate physical security threats.
Direct the selection, implementation, governance, and lifecycle management of surveillance (CCTV/VMS), access control, intrusion detection, and alarm monitoring system technologies.
Ensure system configurations, retention practices, and monitoring align with legal, privacy, and compliance requirements.
Define standards for contract guard services, including post orders, deployment models, performance metrics, and escalation protocols.
Oversee vendor selection, contract negotiation, and ongoing performance management.
Ensure appropriate staffing models and coverage at high-risk and critical locations.
Establish onboarding and ongoing training programs for security personnel, guards, and relevant employees.
Promote a culture of security awareness throughout the organization.
Lead or oversee internal investigations related to physical security incidents, workplace violence, theft, fraud support activities, and policy violations.
Coordinate with HR, Legal, Compliance, Fraud, and law enforcement as required.
Ensure incident response plans, crisis management, and emergency preparedness programs are tested and maintained.
Assume additional responsibilities as necessary for the continued growth and advancement of the Credit Union.