Director of Security – National Geographic & Adventures & Expeditions

The Walt Disney Company is seeking a strategic, globally focused Director of Security to lead Global Security support for National Geographic and Adventures & Expeditions (A&E). Based in Orlando, Florida, this role sets the long-term security strategy and oversees security planning and operations for a complex, high-profile, and geographically dispersed portfolio.

Reporting to the Vice President, Security, Disney Signature Experiences (DSE), the Director is accountable for protecting people, operations, assets, intellectual property, and brand integrity across National Geographic and A&E. This includes employees, journalists, guests, contractors, and freelancers operating in dynamic and often elevated risk environments.

The Director serves as the senior security partner to business leaders across Adventures by Disney, and National Geographic Expeditions, National Geographic Editorial assignments, and National Geographic Live. The role also interfaces with the National Geographic Society on physical security matters at its Washington, DC headquarters and partners with Production Security and Special Events as required.

As the single point of accountability for all security-related matters, the Director leads risk assessments, security initiatives, policies, and threat mitigation strategies. Leveraging Global Security’s enterprise capabilities, the Director advises and influences senior leaders while balancing business objectives with effective risk management.

The Director coordinates with Regional Security teams worldwide to oversee proactive security measures, crisis preparedness, and incident response for National Geographic assignments A&E tours, including travel and destination-based operations. This role also partners with local, state, federal, and international agencies to assess threat trends and support future planning.

Some travel is required to validate risk assessments, support planning in higher-risk locations, and engage with key Disney offices, including Washington, DC and Burbank, California.

Strategy & Program Leadership

• Develop and deliver the strategic framework for Global Security products and services supporting the National Geographic and A&E business lines.
• Identify and lead strategic initiatives in response to evolving risk and threat trends, ensuring effective project management and execution.
• Direct the development of efficient and effective security strategies and plans to safeguard people, assets, and operations while minimizing organizational risk.
• Establish key performance goals and metrics to evaluate program effectiveness and align with corporate and business unit priorities.

Risk Assessment & Threat Mitigation

• Partner with Global Intelligence & Threat Assessment, Regional Security Directors, and other Global Security teams to assess risk across all current and future tours, events, and editorial travel.
• Conduct threat assessments and develop mitigation strategies covering destinations, hotels, airports, ground transportation, venues, and itineraries.
• Communicate clear, actionable risk mitigation recommendations to the DSE Security VP and business leaders.
• When warranted, conduct advance site visits for tours, events, and journalist destinations as required to support planning and on-the-ground security efforts.

Event, Travel & Operations Support

• Lead the planning and coordination of security support for National Geographic and A&E tours, National Geographic Live events, Adventures & Expeditions, and editorial travel.
• Implement transparent and repeatable processes to track, monitor, and manage travel and event activity to ensure the safety and security of all participants.
• Contribute to stakeholder priorities by fostering strong collaboration and a coordinated, solutions-oriented approach.

Crisis Management & Emergency Preparedness

• In close partnership with the DSE Operations Center Incident Management Team, develop and maintain crisis management, emergency response, and business continuity plans for tours, events, and journalist destinations.
• Support and participate in crisis management and emergency preparedness exercises with the Global Emergency Preparedness and Response Team, the DSE Operations Center, business leaders and enterprise teams.
• Utilize the DSE Operations Center and Global Security Communication Center (GSCC) resources to monitor real-time incidents and emerging risks impacting travelers and events.

Communications & Stakeholder Engagement

• Work with the DSE Operations Center to develop accurate, timely, and relevant security communications for travelers, employees, contractors/freelancers, and senior leadership.
• Serve as a trusted security advisor to business leaders, ensuring alignment with company standards and operational needs.
• Partner with Global Security training teams to ensure appropriate timing, relevance, delivery, and continuity of security training programs aligned with business objectives.

External Partnerships & Vendor Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with local, state, federal, and international law enforcement agencies, including OSAC partners where appropriate.
• Coordinate with external partners to support intelligence gathering, incident response, and on-site security operations.
• Ensure security-related plans and protocols are effectively developed, communicated, and executed with external stakeholders.

Policy, Governance & Compliance

• Lead the analysis, implementation, and remediation planning of security policies to ensure compliance with Global Security standards.
• Monitor adherence to policies and identify opportunities for continuous improvement across programs and operations.

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum 15 years of experience in positions of increasing responsibility within the security or a related field, including 5+ years of leadership experience with a large organization.
• Three+ years of experience working in/around the international arena. 
• Must be a strategic thinker capable of communicating, influencing and partnering with all levels of the organization, as well as externally to law enforcement and partners.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with diverse and globally dispersed colleagues and partners.
• Must be able to establish credibility as a business partner respected by client-base with proven ability to gain buy-in from teams.
• A self-starter who is organized, intuitive and a collaborative problem-solver with the ability to be effective in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated track record of partnering and developing consensus within an organizational climate of diverse operational activities
• Excellent conceptual and critical thinking skills and sound judgment, with strategic orientation and ability to perform tactically, as required
• Build trust and instill self-confidence through mutual respect and ongoing communication.
• Experience in providing technical expertise appropriate to knowledge of risk and cost-effective delivery of essential security services
• Capable of handling multiple and complex situations.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, analyze and evaluate a large volume of information, and to communicate accurate and timely recommendations on business and security related risks to the organization with solid focus on detail, as required
• Ability to travel.

Preferred Qualifications:

• International experience, serving in a leadership role. 
• Security leadership experience.

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in an area of study relevant to this position.

Preferred Education:

• Graduate degree preferred

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Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

The hiring range for this position in Celebration, FL is $160,400 to $215,000 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.