Security Manager

Nooks•Arlington, TX

15d•Onsite

About The Position

As Security Manager, you own security at your site – full stop. You’ll lead all security operations, oversee the site security team, and act as the primary liaison between Nooks and its government, defense, and industry partners. This is a senior role for someone with deep expertise in industrial and physical security, classified space accreditation and operations, and risk mitigation, and who thrives operating at the intersection of compliance, operations, and client relationships. You’ll be appointed as the site’s Facility Security Officer (FSO), functioning as the senior security representative at the site, directly reporting to the Senior Manager of Industrial Security. At Nooks, we move fast. While you’ll have clear ownership over your core responsibilities, startup life means priorities can shift. We’re looking for a proactive problem-solver who is comfortable with ambiguity and ready to lean in wherever the team needs them most to drive us forward. You’re never satisfied with the status quo – you’re constantly looking for new ways, methods, and ideas to keep security operations moving at pace, remove friction for clients, and deliver the best security experience at the site.

Requirements

At least 9 years of experience in industrial and physical security, with significant time in cleared defense contracting, SCIF, and/or SAP environments.
Prior experience serving as an FSO or in a role carrying equivalent authority.
Deep working knowledge of NISPOM, SCI, and SAP requirements.
Demonstrated people-management experience, including supervising, mentoring, and developing a well-rounded security team.
Strong executive presence and communication skills, with comfort serving as the primary liaison to senior government and industry stakeholders.
A track record of driving process improvements and pace in a compliance-heavy environment – someone who treats speed and security readiness as complementary, not competing, goals.
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.
In-scope TS/SCI security clearance eligibility is required.
All candidates must be eligible for and committed to maintaining a U.S. government security clearance as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

Preferred Experience supporting business development or technical sales conversations in a cleared or defense-adjacent environment.

Responsibilities

Lead all aspects of site and program security, ensuring full compliance with NISPOM, SCI, and SAP security regulations, standards, and policies.
Oversee site security operations to guarantee consistently high physical security readiness, reporting findings and recommendations directly to the Senior Manager of Industrial Security.
Own security incident response, from initial resolution and notification to the Senior Industrial Security Manager, through root-cause analysis and process correction.
Oversee the ongoing maintenance of SCIFs and other classified spaces at your site.
Conduct and manage security risk assessments, audits, and vulnerability analyses, translating findings into concrete corrective action plans.
Lead the coordination and successful execution of annual and no-notice assessments, inspections, facility certifications, and accreditation activities.
Prepare, review, and manage DD254s, including direct coordination with industry and government partners on flow-down subcontractor requirements.
Derive infrastructure and program security requirements from DD254s, MOUs, CUAs, and prime and subcontractor agreements, and Membership Agreements, translating contract language into day-to-day operational practice.
Evaluate internal security processes on an ongoing basis and deliver direct, actionable feedback to managers, directors, and executives.
Supervise, mentor, and ensure the operational readiness of the site security team – genuinely investing in their success, and providing meaningful, constructive feedback along the way.
Act as the primary onsite liaison for escalated security matters with internal stakeholders, partners, clients, and U.S. Government entities.
Provide strategic recommendations on security program direction, methods, and decisions to site and company leadership.
Support the Growth, Product, and Contracts teams with technical sales and business development input – advising, accompanying, and delivering feedback on Nooks security products and services – and partner cross-functionally with IT & Cyber, Product, and Ops.
Constantly look for ways to accelerate site security operations – proposing new methods, tools, and process improvements that cut friction, speed up delivery, and elevate the security experience for every client and partner onsite.