Security Director - Americas

About the job

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with 48 offices in 28 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world's most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future. We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world's leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients. Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to an inclusive environment, and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing. What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.

Department Purpose and Structure

A&O Shearman's global support function, Business Services & Office Operations – a multidisciplinary department that is integral to the seamless operation of our firm. We deliver greater consistency across the global network in supporting the firm's success by providing a truly global offering to our clients. Our dedicated teams work together to ensure that the firm operates at peak efficiency, providing the necessary foundation for our legal and business teams to excel. Each of these teams plays a vital role in our collective success, and their collaborative efforts reflect the strength of our firm.

Role Purpose

The Americas Director of Security holds strategic responsibility for architecting and governing an advanced, risk‑centric security framework across the firm's operations in the Americas. This senior leadership position encompasses oversight of regional and cross‑border risk assessments, the formulation of high‑level security policies, and the stewardship of comprehensive protection for office infrastructure, personnel, and physical assets, with an unwavering focus on safeguarding sensitive client information stored within firm premises. Operating at the forefront of threat intelligence and security innovation, the role demands authoritative evaluation and mitigation of risks facing local and regional offices, including both physical and security of information aspects while delivering visionary guidance and clear direction in response to complex security challenges. The Americas Director of Security forges strong, trusted relationships with senior Partners and global leadership, collaborating across multiple jurisdictions and ensuring the highest standards of credibility and expertise are maintained. Integral to this remit is rigorous analysis of the impact of evolving local and international legislation, guaranteeing the firm's security practices not only comply with all relevant regulations but also anticipate future requirements. Through partnership with a global network of security professionals, the Americas Director of Security advances consistent, world‑class standards for physical and personnel security, directing regional offices through comprehensive audits, strategic consultation, and the establishment of robust security system specifications. As a senior member of the firm's global security team, the Americas Director of Security is instrumental in delivering seamless ‘follow the sun’ capability for incident response and operational continuity. This ensures that security events, incidents, and crises are managed proactively and effectively around the clock, leveraging global resources and intelligence to safeguard the firm and its clients in every time zone.

Role and Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and strategic oversight for the firm's response to security events, incidents, and crises across the Americas, ensuring robust contingency planning and seamless integration with global security operations.
• Interface regularly with Chief Real Estate & Office Operations Officer – Americas to collaborate on office activities, requirements, and overall security posture as it relates to both Partner and Staff needs as well as local security related events.
• Lead the strategic transition to a new security model across the Americas region, ensuring operational efficiency and uncompromising protection of personnel, physical assets, and sensitive client information. Direct cross‑functional project teams, oversee change management activities, and establish key performance indicators to measure success, while maintaining alignment with global security standards and providing executive‑level guidance to senior leadership throughout the transformation.
• Direct the continuous monitoring and evaluation of global threat landscapes, advising senior leadership on emerging risks and their potential impact on firm operations and strategic objectives.
• Champion the safeguarding of client information within all Americas office premises, setting enterprise‑level policies and ensuring the highest standards of physical and security of information are maintained and aligned with global governance frameworks.
• Drive the development and execution of a comprehensive, risk‑based security strategy for the Americas, integrating regional best practices into the firm's global security architecture and overseeing risk assessment processes for buildings, personnel, and physical assets.
• Serve as the principal advisor to the Global Head of Security (GHS), influencing the evolution of the global risk management framework and providing strategic counsel to the GHS, risk committees, and the in‑house legal team on security, confidentiality, and regulatory matters.
• Exercise authoritative oversight of physical security across the Americas' real‑estate portfolio, leading the creation and enforcement of innovative security policies and partnering with the GHS to future‑proof security posture and resilience.
• Oversee the strategic management of critical security contracts, including the New York manned guarding contract, ensuring contractual alignment with the firm's security vision and the effective implementation of high‑performance standards by site security leadership.
• Strengthen partnerships with international security and health providers, such as iSOS, to guarantee all A&O travellers receive comprehensive, proactive security and medical guidance tailored to evolving risks.
• Collaborate closely with the Global and Americas Business Continuity Managers to embed resilience into all operational processes, providing senior‑level support and direction across the full spectrum of business continuity planning and crisis response.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated minimum of ten years' senior management experience in all facets of physical security, ideally within large‑scale, multinational environments.
• Bachelor's degree required in law enforcement, criminal justice, security management, or a closely related discipline; advanced certifications or postgraduate qualifications considered an asset.
• Extensive and in‑depth expertise in law enforcement methodologies, security tactics, and operational procedures, with a proven track record of strategic leadership.
• Proven experience designing and delivering comprehensive education programs and communications to ensure all staff are fully informed and empowered to address security risks proactively.
• Active participation in local, state, provincial, or federal security advisory groups to maintain awareness of current directives, best practices, and emerging trends.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead compliance and audit functions, including hands‑on experience with international standards such as ISO 27001.
• Advanced contract management skills, with expertise in overseeing service agreements and associated budgets within complex operational environments.
• Extensive experience in incident response planning, crowd management, and maintaining robust security posture under adverse and rapidly evolving circumstances.
• Exceptional understanding of security procedures and protocols, combined with the ability to coach and mentor others in safeguarding sensitive information and assets.
• Successful track record as a senior Security Manager within the legal, corporate, finance, professional services, or consultancy sectors, demonstrating impact and leadership at the highest levels.