Physical Security Manager

Lucas James Talent Partners•Evanston, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

UL Research Institutes (ULRI) and UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE) are seeking a Physical Security Manager based in the Evanston, Illinois, office. The manager develops, implements, and maintains the organizations’ physical security program to protect employees, visitors, facilities, assets, intellectual property, and business operations across multiple locations. The role oversees physical security systems and programs, establishes standards, identifies and mitigates security risks, and supports a safe, secure, and compliant workplace. The position reports to the Director of Facilities and Expansion. The manager leads physical security policies and programs; manages electronic security systems and vendors; assesses risks at existing and new facilities; leads incident response and investigations; and oversees security infrastructure projects. The role partners with project and design teams to integrate security requirements into facility planning, construction, commissioning, and occupancy. It also supports emergency preparedness and business continuity, monitors security performance and compliance, and prepares leadership reporting and audit support. ULRI and ULSE are nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing safety science and improving safety, security, and sustainability. Their work includes independent research, analysis of safety data, expert convenings, public education and outreach, and standards development. The organizations emphasize collaboration, respect, integrity, beneficence, employee development, and recognition. Employees are eligible for bonus compensation based on position level and receive comprehensive insurance, retirement contributions, and paid time off. Flexible working arrangements may be discussed with a manager, depending on the role.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; preferably in Criminal Justice, Security Management, Business Administration, Risk Management, Facilities Management, Information Technology, or a related field.
At least 7 years of experience in physical security, corporate security, facilities security, or a related discipline.
At least 3 years of experience managing enterprise security systems and vendor relationships.
Experience supporting physical security programs within multi-site corporate environments.
Experience with access control systems, CCTV platforms, visitor management, alarm monitoring, and other electronic security technologies.
Experience conducting security risk assessments and supporting security infrastructure projects.
Strong project management skills, including experience managing security infrastructure projects from planning through implementation.
Ability to manage vendors, contracts, and budgets.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to evaluate physical security risks and develop practical mitigation strategies.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to communicate security risks, requirements, and recommendations across organizational levels.
Ability to build effective working relationships and influence stakeholders across ULRI-ULSE.

Nice To Haves

Experience within corporate real estate and facilities or laboratory, testing, research, or manufacturing environments.
Certified Protection Professional (CPP), Physical Security Professional (PSP), Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), Certified Facility Manager (CFM), or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and continuously improve physical security standards, policies, procedures, and programs across the organization.
Manage physical security systems and technologies, including access control, badge and credential administration, CCTV, intrusion detection, alarms, visitor management, and key control.
Conduct physical security risk assessments for new and existing facilities, identify threats and vulnerabilities, and recommend risk mitigations.
Establish physical security requirements for office, laboratory, and testing environments.
Lead physical security incident response and investigations involving unauthorized access, theft, workplace violence concerns, vandalism, and other security events, coordinating with internal and external partners as appropriate.
Manage physical security infrastructure projects, including access control upgrades, CCTV deployments, visitor management implementations, security command center enhancements, and new facility security installations.
Partner with project management, design teams, and internal stakeholders to establish and implement physical security requirements during planning, design, construction, commissioning, and occupancy of new and renovated facilities.
Manage security vendors, integrators, monitoring providers, contractors, and equipment manufacturers, including scopes of work, service-level performance, budgets, maintenance, and system upgrades.
Support emergency preparedness, crisis management, business continuity, evacuation planning, and security response activities during facility emergencies and significant events.
Develop and monitor security metrics, dashboards, access audits, incident trends, system performance, and compliance activities; prepare leadership reporting and support internal and external audits and regulatory inspections.
Contribute to other Real Estate & Facilities and organization-wide initiatives as required.

Benefits

Bonus compensation based on position level.
Comprehensive medical insurance.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Life insurance.
401(k) matching of up to 5% of eligible pay.
An additional 4% retirement savings contribution after the first year of continuous employment.
Paid vacation, holidays, sick days, and volunteer days.
Flexible working arrangements may be discussed with a manager, depending on the role.
Targeted development, reward, and recognition programs.