Physical Security Architect

Engagement Overview

• Candidates must have branch or multi-site in Banking or Retail experience (250+ sites minimum) 
• Full-time remote contract - 40 hours/week, EST hours required
• 6+ month contract with the possibility of extension to 1–2 years
• PSP (Physical Security Professional) or similar preferred
• This is NOT a hands-on keyboard design or deployment role. It is a strategic leadership position
• Immediate start required — candidates must be available to begin within 7 days of offer

Position Summary
The Branch Physical Security Architect is a senior leadership role responsible for the end-to-end architectural direction of physical security technologies across a banking retail branch network. As the principal technical authority for this engagement, you will define standards, lead multi-workstream programs, and serve as the primary point of contact for the client's executive leadership.
This role provides strategic oversight, not hands-on implementation, across new branch builds, renovations, technology refreshes, and large-scale security programs. You will guide engineering teams, integrators, and vendors toward consistent, compliant, and resilient security outcomes while ensuring alignment with enterprise security architecture and regulatory requirements.
You will work cross-functionally with the client's PMO, IT Network Engineering, Facilities, Risk & Compliance, and external partners, serving as the single authoritative voice on branch physical security architecture.

Leadership Attributes & Soft Skills

• Executive presence with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to C-Suite and senior stakeholders
• Strategic thinker who connects branch-level decisions to enterprise-wide security posture
• Collaborative leader who builds consensus across technical teams, PMO, facilities, and external partners
• Calm and decisive under pressure; guides teams through critical incidents without losing strategic focus
• Highly organized; manages multiple concurrent programs and shifting priorities with ease
• Self-driven and accountable; operates effectively with minimal oversight in a remote environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills across both technical and executive audiences

Key Responsibilities
Architectural Leadership & Standards

• Define, document, and govern architectural standards for physical security systems across all branch environments
• Develop and maintain the branch physical security technology roadmap aligned with corporate security strategy and regulatory frameworks
• Ensure consistent design principles, technology standards, and best practices are applied bank-wide

Executive Engagement & Program Leadership

• Serve as the primary liaison to the client's C-Suite, providing regular technical briefings and status updates — daily and weekly cadence
• Lead the Physical Security workstream within large-scale programs (new builds, renovations, technology refreshes) in close partnership with the PMO
• Define project scope, sequence deployments, manage risks, and ensure security deliverables align within overall program timelines

Multi-Workstream Coordination

• Lead and provide technical direction to architects and engineers across multiple concurrent workstreams
• Coordinate across IT infrastructure, Facilities, Construction, Security Operations, and other workstreams to deliver cohesive solutions
• Review and approve design documents, architecture diagrams, and bills of materials

Solution Design & Integration Oversight

• Serve as design authority for branch physical security systems: CCTV/video surveillance, intrusion detection and alarms, access control, duress and life-safety systems
• Oversee integration architecture connecting security systems with IT infrastructure, alarm monitoring, and identity management platforms
• Balance security requirements, user experience, and cost-effectiveness across the branch network

Vendor & Technology Governance

• Drive evaluation, selection, and standardization of security technologies and vendor solutions across the portfolio
• Manage relationships with external integrators and service providers, ensuring adherence to technical requirements and quality standards
• Enforce solution consistency across multiple vendor products, platforms, and service contracts

Risk Management & Governance

• Chair or participate in design review boards to oversee branch security architecture decisions
• Contribute to risk assessments and mitigation planning for new implementations and change events
• Provide senior-level support during critical incidents, guiding engineering teams toward root-cause resolution and long-term fixes
• Continuously evaluate emerging physical security trends, regulatory changes, and threat intelligence to evolve branch security strategy

Qualifications & Technical Skills

• PSP (Physical Security Professional) CPP, CISSP, or Certified Security Architect certification
• 8+ years of progressive experience designing and implementing physical security systems across multi-site, branch, retail, or distributed facilities environments; financial services experience strongly preferred
• Deep expertise in CCTV/VMS, alarm and intrusion detection, electronic access control, and duress/life-safety systems — architecture, integration, and network dependencies
• Proven ability to develop and enforce enterprise-scale technical standards and reference architectures across numerous locations
• Strong understanding of networking as it applies to security systems: IP connectivity, PoE, VLANs, LAN/WAN, bandwidth considerations
• Demonstrated experience leading technical workstreams within large-scale programs, including stakeholder management at the executive level
• Familiarity with alarm monitoring workflows, security operations center models, and escalation/incident response frameworks
• Experience coordinating across IT, Facilities, Security Operations, PMO, and external vendors in a matrixed environment
• Proficiency with documentation standards: architecture diagrams, design specs, as-built records, and standards documentation
• Available to work full-time EST hours and start within 7 days of offer

Preferred Qualifications

• Banking or financial services industry experience, particularly with regulatory and compliance requirements (FFIEC guidelines, audit frameworks, UL alarm certification standards)
• Familiarity with major physical security platforms in banking: Lenel access control, major VMS and camera systems, alarm monitoring and integrated physical security management software
• Understanding of how physical security intersects with cybersecurity frameworks and enterprise risk policies
• Prior experience in a senior security architecture role with multi-site delivery responsibility
• Exposure to 24x7 security operations, monitoring centers, or command center-based support model