Global Lead, Executive Protection

Gallagher•Rolling Meadows, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Global Lead, Executive Protection is responsible for designing, building, and leading Gallagher’s Executive Protection (EP) program. The successful candidate will establish the framework, standards, and governance for protective services at Gallagher and grow the program deliberately over time as needs are defined and capability matures. Because this is a new capability, the role requires patience, credibility, and relationship building as much as it requires technical protective skill. The successful candidate will earn trust with senior leadership through discretion, professionalism, and a low-profile approach, introducing protective measures at a pace that is proportionate to risk and comfortable for those being supported. Reporting to the Chief Security Officer, the role blends strategy with hands-on execution and works in close coordination with the Global Director of Safety & Security Operations as well as Legal, Human Resources, Corporate Travel, and executive support staff.

Requirements

Requires deep technical knowledge typically obtained through advanced education combined with experience.
Typically viewed as having a specialty within discipline.
May have broad knowledge of project management.
Typically requires a University Degree or equivalent experience and minimum 7 years of prior relevant experience.
Highly Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Security Management, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
10+ years in executive protection, protective services, or dignitary protection, including 5+ years in a leadership role.
Demonstrated success building a corporate EP program from the ground up, ideally in an organization without an established protective culture.
Hands-on experience with advance work, close protection, secure transportation, and event support.
Experience supporting international travel across varied threat environments.
Working knowledge of threat assessment and management and travel risk management practices.
Strong executive presence, sound judgment under pressure, and absolute discretion.
Valid U.S. passport and driver’s license; ability to respond on call and travel on short notice
Prior federal protective service experience (USSS, DSS, military PSD) or Fortune 500 corporate EP program.
Experience in insurance, financial services, or another highly regulated industry.
Emergency medical or tactical medicine credentials.
Additional language proficiency for global operations.
Ability to build a program from nothing and grow it patiently over multiple years.
Discretion and trustworthiness with highly sensitive information and individuals.
Relationship building and influence without formal authority.
Calm, decisive judgment in ambiguous or fast-moving situations.
Clear communication with both senior leadership and operational audiences.
Strong planning, logistics, and vendor management skills.
Cultural awareness and adaptability across global regions.

Responsibilities

Design and stand-up Gallagher’s Executive Protection program, including charter, scope, governance, and a phased multi-year roadmap.
Develop EP policy and standards covering eligibility criteria, thresholds for protective support, residential security, secure transportation, and event support.
Define the operating model and build the staffing plan and budget to support it.
Establish trust and buy-in with senior leadership through consistent, discreet, low-friction delivery, expanding the program only as confidence is earned.
Build the vendor and partner network, including protective service providers, secure transportation, and law enforcement relationships.
Create reporting, metrics, and briefing materials that demonstrate program value and maturity over time.
Conduct advance work, risk assessments, and protective planning for travel, corporate events, and high-visibility engagements.
Coordinate secure transportation, venue and hotel security, and residential security measures as required.
Serve as the operational decision-maker during protective operations and emerging threats.
Partner with the GSRC for monitoring, traveler support, and incident escalation.
Lead threat assessment and case management for threats directed at supported personnel, in coordination with Legal, Human Resources, and law enforcement.
Support crisis response, emergency medical, evacuation, and repatriation as needed.
Recruit, train, and develop protective personnel as the program scales.