Head of Corporate Security

The Hartford•Hartford, CT

About The Position

The Chief Security Officer (CSO) will be responsible for the strategy, governance, and execution of enterprise security operations for The Hartford, protecting more than 19,000 colleagues across domestic and international locations. This role ensures the safety of colleagues, clients, facilities, and assets while enabling business operations in complex and evolving threat environments. Reporting to senior executive leadership, the CSO will oversee Physical Security, Executive Protection, Protective Intelligence, Travel Risk Management, Guard Force Management, and Global Security Operations. The position will partner closely with business leadership, cybersecurity, legal, risk, human resources, employee relations, business resiliency management, and regional leadership teams. This position will also act as primary liaison with local/state/federal law enforcement and international equivalents as needed.

Requirements

15+ years progressive corporate security leadership experience within a large complex organization
Demonstrated expertise in workplace violence prevention/threat management, executive protection, investigations, and crisis response.
Proven vendor management experience (guarding services, technology integrators, intelligence/travel risk providers).
Strong command of security technology and modern security operations (access control, CCTV/VMS, monitoring, mass notification).
Experience building global security programs (international offices, varied risk profiles, cultural/legal environments).
Bachelor’s degree required (Criminal Justice, Security Management, Risk Management).
Experience standing up or modernizing a Security Operations Center (SOC/GSOC) model and protective intelligence function.
Demonstrated leadership managing global security programs and teams.
Experience protecting senior executives and advising C-suite leadership on security strategies, programs, and resources to mitigate risks to the organization.
Background in protective intelligence, crisis management, and geopolitical risk analysis.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
Must be able to respond after-hours to critical incidents, on a rotational/on-call basis.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in security management, international relations, public administration, or related field preferred.
Certifications (one or more strongly preferred): CPP, PCI, PSP (ASIS); CFE; Crisis Management/BCP; EP credentials; ICS/NIMS training.

Responsibilities

Design and govern the enterprise security strategy aligned with The Hartford’s risk priorities, policies, standards, and applicable regulations.
Serve as the senior advisor to executive leadership on security risk and geopolitical developments; represent security at the executive leadership level, providing strategic risk assessments and briefings.
Lead and develop a high-performing team (corporate security managers, analysts, investigators, and/or vendor resources).
Create a culture of preparedness and accountability through communications, education and training for employees and leaders (workplace violence awareness, active threat, suspicious activity reporting, travel safety).
Produce regular reporting on security KPIs, incident trends, risk assessments, and program maturity.
Drive continuous improvement through audits, tabletop exercises, lessons learned, technology enhancements and external perspectives on best practices and emerging trends.
Oversee security program protecting offices, employees, and operations.
Lead global security operations centers (GSOC) and direct vendor and guard force management; ensure performance metrics, SLAs, and compliance.
Own strategy for security technology platforms (access control, video management, analytics, mass notification, duress systems).
Implement enterprise-wide physical security standards and technologies including access control, video surveillance, and security systems.
Partner with Real Estate/Facilities on safe workplace design, site risk assessments, and security requirements for new sites and renovations.
Design and manage executive protection strategy and program (threat assessments, protective intelligence, logistics, secure transportation, and event security).
Provide risk support oversight for board meetings, investor events, conferences, and high-visibility gatherings.
Conduct executive threat assessments and mitigation strategies.
Oversee and work with legal on IRS 132 code compliance reviews.
Implement travel risk management standards and processes (pre-travel advisories, high-risk travel approval, traveler tracking, emergency support).
Coordinate with external providers as needed (medical/security assistance, intelligence capabilities).
Lead security response for workplace violence, threats, suspicious packages, protests, break-ins, travel incidents, and other critical events; serve as a core member of the Crisis Management Team, ensuring clear playbooks, exercises, and post-incident reviews.
Partner with HR, Employee Relations (ER), Employment Law, and Compliance to ensure investigations are thorough, timely, and appropriately documented (workplace violence, harassment-related security concerns, theft, fraud involving physical channels, vendor misconduct, policy violations).
In partnership with other corporate functions, manage the Workplace Violence Prevention / Threat Management program, including intake, assessment, case management, and interventions.