AMER/LATAM Security & Safety Manager

Zendesk•Austin, TX

10d•$123,000 - $185,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The AMER/LATAM Security & Safety Manager is responsible for overseeing physical safety and security, as well as ensuring compliance with occupational health and safety requirements across our regional offices, including San Francisco, Austin, Madison, Mexico City, and Sao Paulo, along with other smaller field sites. As a key member of the Global Security & Safety team, this role encompasses a variety of security and safety duties, including performing security and safety inspections, executing security and safety planning for corporate events, and evaluating and responding to life safety incidents.

Requirements

5+ years of experience leading Security or Safety programs in a global technology or creative office environment.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly.
A continuous history of professional development in safety management.
Understanding of OKRs, metrics collection, and analysis to drive program effectiveness.
Demonstrated comfort and fluency with AI tools and emerging security technologies, coupled with the judgment to apply human-in-the-loop oversight to AI-generated insights and recommendations.
Willingness to roll up your sleeves and engage in the details of every project.
Highly adaptable and flexible in response to changing needs and priorities.
Ability to build partnerships and work collaboratively across functions.
Capability to maintain a flexible schedule, occasionally working mornings and evenings as needed to support operations across various time zones.
Ability to travel approximately 10% of the time.
5+ years of experience leading security and safety programs, preferably in a multi-site or multi-country environment.
Experience overseeing security guard force operations and managing a corporate health and safety program.
Prior people-management experience in a corporate or security environment.
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are required.
Must be highly adaptable and flexible, with the ability to respond to changing needs and priorities.
Strong ability to build partnerships and work collaboratively with regional and global internal stakeholders.
Willingness and ability to travel to regional offices and Zendesk corporate events as needed.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with the S2 access control system is a plus.
In depth experience with one or more corporate security domains such as executive protection, event security, or travel risk management.
ASIS Certified Protection Professional (CPP) or other relevant industry certification
Prior military, law enforcement, or first responder experience.
Experience with generative AI tools to improve security, compliance, or intelligence gathering workflows.

Responsibilities

Plan, implement, and verify risk control and compliance programs to ensure the adoption of safe work practices, including emergency response, workplace violence prevention, fire prevention, injury and illness prevention, and compliance with local health and safety regulations.
Oversee intelligence analysts, encouraging an environment that promotes excellence while providing mentorship and opportunities for growth.
Lead investigations of safety and physical security incidents within the region and assist in investigations in other regions, providing well-articulated reports, briefings, and recommended actions to address findings.
Regularly conduct physical security and health and safety assessments of offices in the region to identify and mitigate risks.
Partner with the corporate events team to provide pre-event security and safety planning, as well as on-site support for large corporate events.
Collaborate with global partners to manage and improve our travel risk management program.
Collaborate with teammates to monitor and assess potential safety or security threats to leadership, adhering to the established Executive Protection Program.
Prepare, implement, and lead a volunteer Zendesk Emergency Response Team for offices in the region, ensuring readiness and compliance with emergency protocols.
Work closely with a global team of internal intelligence analysts to evaluate threat intelligence and respond effectively to life safety events, ensuring human expertise is part of critical decision-making, complementing AI-driven data synthesis.
Partner with the regional Workplace Experience team to ensure adherence to security and safety policies and procedures across all locations.
Develop safety and emergency preparedness protocols and training for staff, liaising with local emergency services and site leaders to ensure preparedness and compliance with Zendesk policies and local laws.
Oversee the security staff at the reception desk at our HQ location in San Francisco, ensuring a safe and secure environment for all visitors and employees.