Sr Global Protective Security Operations Specialist

Illumina•San Diego, CA

5d•$90,000 - $135,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Sr Global Protective Security Operations Specialist is based at Illumina’s headquarters in San Diego, California, and reports to the Senior Director, Global Security, coordinating closely with Regional Security Managers and business stakeholders. This cross-functional role calls for an adaptable, organized, detail-oriented security professional with a low-profile, high-impact approach. The specialist works across global travel risk mitigation, corporate event and executive protection, intelligence, crisis support, and discreet investigations. The role administers the global travel security function, assesses geopolitical and operational threats that could affect Illumina personnel, operations, physical assets, brand, and reputation, and provides travel guidance and intelligence products to support business decisions. It also plans security for high-profile corporate events and supports investigations into threats such as workplace violence or harassment, insider threats, financial loss, and intellectual property theft. The position may contribute to campus-wide physical security systems planning, policy compliance, and site-based crisis management. The estimated U.S. base salary range is $90,000–$135,000. Employees are eligible for a variable cash program (bonus or commission), and eligible roles may receive equity. Benefits mentioned include access to genomics sequencing, family planning, health, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, and paid time off. The role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Requirements

At least 5 years of progressive security experience directly in corporate security, global intelligence, executive protection, or specialized military or law enforcement units.
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
Experience in a travel security or risk assessment function within a corporate environment or government agency.
Investigative background with a record of managing investigations, threat assessments, and threat monitoring.
Experience planning and executing security protection operations.
Understanding of global geopolitical issues and regional threats, and their potential impact on Illumina’s business.
Ability to adapt to an open, transparent, highly collaborative corporate culture and balance security with company values and business interests.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and support the strategic direction of new programs.
Strong critical thinking and writing skills, including the ability to communicate complex analysis briefly, accurately, and relevantly to audiences up to senior executive management.
Excellent written and verbal English communication and report-writing skills.
Ability to work confidently and independently while taking on additional responsibilities and standing in for team members as needed.
Proficiency in operational performance management and technology-enabled tools, platforms, and systems.

Nice To Haves

Fluency in a second language.

Responsibilities

Administer the global travel security function, including systems, assessments, communications, vendors, and stakeholder management.
Review and support approval processes for travel to high-risk and restricted destinations under Illumina travel-risk policies and duty-of-care requirements.
Conduct travel risk assessments and provide destination-specific security guidance, contingency planning, and security briefings for employees, executives, and business-critical travelers.
Use intelligence resources to evaluate travel-related threats globally and determine local threat environments for travel to moderate- and high-threat countries.
Coordinate with the Global Security Team and Illumina Security Operations Center to monitor, research, analyze, and report emerging worldwide threats and trends that may affect Illumina campuses, operations, or staff.
Produce tactical, operational, and strategic intelligence products, including travel advisories, country risk assessments, executive briefings, incident reports, and crisis updates.
Monitor global events and emerging risks affecting travelers and provide timely recommendations to stakeholders and leadership.
Lead the design and implementation of security plans for board or shareholder meetings, product launches, and large-scale corporate events.
Manage venue security operations, including access control, crowd management, asset protection, and technical surveillance countermeasures.
Support crisis management by providing timely, actionable intelligence during emerging crises.
Develop and deliver security awareness solutions for staff across the global organization.
Develop and maintain KPIs, metrics, and executive reporting dashboards to measure program effectiveness, identify trends, and support data-driven decisions.
Represent Global Security in multidisciplinary initiatives and work with other business areas and sectors to achieve shared goals.
Build relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to support program delivery.
Assist with employee safety programs intended to prevent workplace threats and violence, and support incident response.
Support regional security investigations in coordination with Regional Security, HR, Legal, and Compliance.
Coordinate with Health and Safety counterparts to create and maintain a safe and healthy work environment.