Executive Protection Specialist

Sysco•Houston, TX

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Executive Protection Specialist provides discreet, professional, risk-based protection for designated principals, authorized family members, and associated assets. The position combines close protection, protective intelligence, advance work, secure transportation, emergency preparedness, and incident documentation. The specialist is expected to exercise sound judgment, preserve confidentiality, and support the principal’s safety, privacy, mobility, and business objectives. This is a hybrid position based at Sysco’s Global Support Center/Corporate Office in Houston, Texas, requiring on-site presence three to four days per week. On-site attendance may increase based on business needs. Travel is up to 75%, with assignments that may require short-notice domestic or international travel and work at irregular hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended shifts. The role routinely operates in offices, residences, vehicles, airports, event venues, and outdoor environments. Assignments may involve prolonged standing or sitting, rapid movement, lifting and carrying operational equipment, variable weather, crowds, and extended travel. The position requires the ability to lift and carry 200 pounds unassisted for assigned tasks and to sprint short distances quickly and with agility. Sysco describes itself as a global leader in foodservice distribution, with over 71,000 colleagues, a fleet of over 13,000 vehicles, approximately 333 distribution facilities worldwide, and more than 700,000 customer locations. The company states that it offers opportunities for personal and professional growth and to contribute to the organization’s success and service to others.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least three years of recent experience in executive protection, close protection, dignitary protection, military protective services, or a comparable high-trust security role.
Completion of a recognized executive protection or close protection training program covering risk assessment, advance work, protective formations, emergency procedures, and operational planning.
Current adult first aid, CPR, and AED certification; ability to obtain enhanced trauma-care certification within one year.
Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record and demonstrated defensive or security-driving capability.
Ability to prepare concise operational plans, briefings, and incident reports and use secure communications and common productivity tools.
Demonstrated judgment, discretion, emotional self-control, integrity, teamwork, and service orientation in dynamic environments.
Ability to satisfy lawful background screening, credentialing, licensing, and travel requirements associated with the assignment.
Ability to work irregular hours, nights, weekends, holidays, and extended shifts, and to travel domestically or internationally on short notice.
Valid LEOSA—Law Enforcement Officers Safety permit, State of Texas Concealed Carry Weapons permit, Guard Card, and CPR/AED/First Aid certification.
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills, risk-based decision-making and threat awareness, protective planning and attention to detail, discretion and confidentiality, clear communication and cross-functional coordination, adaptability, composure, disciplined execution, and customer-focused service without compromising security.
Oral and written communication skills, interpersonal savviness and stakeholder management, and proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Ability to lift and carry 200 pounds unassisted for assigned tasks and sprint short distances quickly with agility.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree.
Five or more years of executive protection experience in a corporate, high-net-worth, diplomatic, or similarly complex operating environment.
ASIS Certified Protection Professional (CPP), Physical Security Professional (PSP), Associate Protection Professional (APP), or comparable relevant credential.
ASIS Executive Protection Certificate or other reputable advanced executive protection training.
Advanced emergency medical qualification, such as emergency medical responder, emergency medical technician, or recognized tactical or remote-care training.
Formal protective or evasive driving training.
Experience with protective intelligence, open-source research, residential security, aviation security, event security, or security operations centers.
International operating experience and proficiency in an additional language.
CPP—Certified Protection Professional.

Responsibilities

Deliver low-profile or overt close protection in accordance with approved risk assessments, protection plans, post orders, applicable law, and company policy.
Maintain situational awareness, appropriate positioning, and a disciplined response while supporting the principal’s safety, privacy, schedule, and freedom of movement.
Conduct protective advances for residences, offices, events, hotels, airports, venues, and travel routes; identify hazards, safe areas, emergency exits, medical resources, and contingency options.
Plan secure ground movements, including route selection and alternates, vehicle readiness, and arrival and departure procedures.
Monitor, assess, and communicate relevant threat, vulnerability, and incident information; protect sensitive schedules, locations, personal information, and operational methods; and escalate credible concerns through established channels.
Prepare, coordinate, and execute emergency action plans for medical incidents, fire, severe weather, civil disturbance, transportation disruption, and other foreseeable contingencies.
Coordinate with corporate security, protective intelligence, security operations centers, event and aviation teams, medical resources, law enforcement, security drivers, and approved vendors.
Conduct briefings, equipment checks, shift handovers, and after-action reviews, and complete accurate incident and activity reports.
Maintain operational proficiency through recurring training, exercises, and evaluation.
Comply with company policies, use-of-force requirements, licensing rules, travel regulations, and applicable local and international laws; support corrective actions and continuous improvement.