Senior Manager, Physical Security Systems and Operations

AHEAD•Chicago, IL

2d•$130,000 - $160,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Physical Security Systems and Operations will lead the design, governance, standardization, and day-to-day operational effectiveness of AHEAD’s physical security technology environment. This role is responsible for developing security systems standards, managing system lifecycles, recommending and supporting the selection and implementation of new physical security technologies, and ensuring those technologies drive measurable operational outcomes across the business. This individual will serve as a key partner to internal stakeholders and external security integrators, with particular focus on real estate projects, site builds, expansions, and operational improvements. They will also establish and manage key performance indicators for physical security systems to improve reliability, governance, and scalability across AHEAD locations.

Requirements

7–10+ years of experience in physical security systems, security technology, or security operations roles.
Deep experience with physical security platforms such as access control, video surveillance, alarms, and related integrations.
Strong understanding of system governance, identity/access workflows, and role-based access principles.
Experience working with external security integrators, service providers, and technology vendors.
Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional partners and manage work across multiple stakeholders and projects.
Strong analytical and operational mindset, with experience building or managing KPI-driven programs.
Comfortable operating in a growing, fast-paced environment and building structure where maturity is still developing.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting corporate office, lab, or multi-site environments.
Familiarity with audit, compliance, and control requirements related to physical security operations.
Experience supporting new site development, expansions, or real estate-driven security projects.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain enterprise standards for physical security systems, including access control, video surveillance, alarms, and related integrations.
Create and enforce governance for system configuration, permissions, audit logging, change control, data handling, and lifecycle management.
Standardize platforms and configurations across sites to support consistency, auditability, and scale.
Own the lifecycle of physical security systems from evaluation and implementation through optimization, maintenance, and retirement.
Recommend new technologies and enhancements that improve security posture, user experience, operational resilience, and program maturity.
Partner with vendors and integrators to ensure system uptime, service quality, maintenance, and roadmap alignment.
Oversee day-to-day operation of physical security platforms and help ensure technology decisions translate into effective field execution and measurable business impact.
Support monitoring, incident workflows, and operational readiness for critical systems and sites.
Drive continuous improvement by identifying process gaps, reducing manual work, and improving reliability across physical and mobile credential environments.
Interface directly with security integrators and internal cross-functional partners, including Real Estate, Facilities, HR, IT, Legal, and Compliance, to align security technology with business needs and project delivery timelines.
Provide physical security systems leadership for office builds, renovations, expansions, and relocations, ensuring standardized design and implementation.
Support access governance processes tied to onboarding, transfers, and terminations in coordination with internal stakeholders.
Define, track, and report key performance indicators for physical security systems and operations, including uptime, defect/failure rates, service responsiveness, access governance, and operational quality.
Use data and metrics to prioritize improvements, inform investment decisions, and demonstrate program impact.