Director, Physical Security

Our Purpose
Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we're helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.
Title and Summary
Director, Physical Security
Director, Executive Protection and Event Security Services
Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart, and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments, and businesses realize their greatest potential.
Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.
Overview
The Global Security Program is seeking a seasoned Director to lead our Executive Protection and Event Security Services for the Americas and extended International Markets. This role is pivotal in safeguarding our Executive leadership, employees, and strategic events worldwide. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise from either the private or public sector, with a proven track record in executive protection, event security planning, and operational risk management.
As a key contributor to the global security strategy, you will help ensure the safety of our executives and the integrity of our corporate events through proactive planning, coordination, and execution.
This role demands strategic leadership, hands-on execution, and the ability to influence across global teams with extremely close engagement with the Office of the CEO.
Key Responsibilities
Direct the design and execution of executive protection programs for senior leadership, ensuring alignment with global threat assessments and organizational priorities.
Oversee security planning and operations for high-profile corporate events, including risk assessments, venue security, travel logistics, and emergency response protocols.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external agencies to ensure seamless coordination and compliance with international security standards.
Develop and implement policies, procedures, and training programs to elevate security awareness and readiness across the enterprise.
Provide strategic guidance on emerging threats, geopolitical risks, and protective intelligence to inform executive travel and event planning.
Manage vendor relationships and oversee contract security personnel to ensure quality and accountability.
Prepare and deliver executive-level briefings, incident reports, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
Responsible for safeguarding highly sensitive and confidential information
Possess basic emergency medical training (CPR, AED, wound management)
Remain available to travel on short notice to ensure constant security coverage
Provide effective levels of security while operating in both overt and covert modes
Willingness to travel internationally and respond to dynamic operational needs.
Expected travel +50% of role.
Qualifications
10+ years of progressive experience in executive protection, event security, or related fields within the private or public sector.
Demonstrated success in leading global security operations, including protective services and event risk management.
Strong understanding of threat assessment methodologies, emergency response planning, and international security protocols.
Exceptional communication and leadership skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across diverse teams.
Relevant certifications (e.g., CPP, PSP, EMT, or equivalent) are highly desirable.
Experience working with law enforcement, intelligence agencies, or military units is a requirement.
Mastercard is a merit-based, inclusive, equal opportunity employer that considers applicants without regard to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disabled or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We hire the most qualified candidate for the role. In the US or Canada, if you require accommodations or assistance to complete the online application process or during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected] and identify the type of accommodation or assistance you are requesting. Do not include any medical or health information in this email. The Reasonable Accommodations team will respond to your email promptly.
Corporate Security Responsibility
All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:

• Abide by Mastercard's security policies and practices;
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;
• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and
• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard's guidelines.

In line with Mastercard's total compensation philosophy and assuming that the job will be performed in the US, the successful candidate will be offered a competitive base salary and may be eligible for an annual bonus or commissions depending on the role. The base salary offered may vary depending on multiple factors, including but not limited to location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Mastercard benefits for full time (and certain part time) employees generally include: insurance (including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, disability, life insurance); flexible spending account and health savings account; paid leaves (including 16 weeks of new parent leave and up to 20 days of bereavement leave); 80 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time, 25 days of vacation time and 5 personal days, pro-rated based on date of hire; 10 annual paid U.S. observed holidays; 401k with a best-in-class company match; deferred compensation for eligible roles; fitness reimbursement or on-site fitness facilities; eligibility for tuition reimbursement; and many more.
Pay Ranges
Purchase, New York: $147,000 - $236,000 USD