Director, Security Operations & Remote Events – West Coast

Director, Security Operations & Remote Events – West Coast

The Security Operations team provides comprehensive protection for employees, guests, and company assets included in the West Coast Portfolio; ESPN Los Angles Production Center, NFL Network Studios and border TWDC operations in addition to ESPN Remote Events. The team delivers an integrated security strategy that safeguards people, operations, and infrastructure while enabling business continuity and supporting TWDC’s & ESPN’s dynamic environments.

Job Summary:

The Director, Security Operations and Remote Events strategic leadership and analytical oversight for the development, implementation, and continuous advancement of Disney’s security policies, procedures, ESPN Operations, and broader TWDC operations. This role ensures security approaches remain aligned with business priorities, evolving risk landscapes, and organizational expectations.

The Director, Security Operations and Remote Events play a key role in shaping and optimizing the security vendor strategy, including performance management, training compliance, and adherence to TWDC standards as well as local and state regulatory requirements. This position ensures vendor services are positioned to scale and adapt to changing operational needs.

In support of ESPN’s Remote Events, this role as needed and when capacity allows is responsible for deploying and directing security resources, supporting operations and production functions for any live event for which ESPN has rights and or is gathering sports content for distribution in domestic or international regions. Specifically, this position will plan, establish, implement, and provide coordinated leadership and direction in all aspects of security, security policies, procedures, and programs to protect the staff, reputation, training and assets for all remote productions.

In partnership with the Security leadership, this role directs all operational, administrative, fiscal, investigative, and protective functions in the supported West Coast Properties, strengthening operational readiness, coordinating multi segment support, and ensuring the consistent protection of people, facilities, and productions across the footprint.

Strategic Leadership & Team Development

• Provide strategic leadership, coaching, and development for one Security Operations overseeing security of the Los Angeles Production Center and NFL Studios.

• Ensure clear operational standards, role clarity, and consistent execution across all studio environments.

Threat Management & Resource Deployment

• Oversee security planning and operations for ESPN events, including approval of all security and emergency response plans, analysis of risks and requirements, and ensuring appropriate security equipment and systems are fully operational.

• Serves as the primary intelligence liaison, acting as ESPN Security’s Intelligence Officer and maintaining coordination with the Disney Global Security Threat Analysis Unit.

• Manage strategic and financial accountability, operating within corporate strategies and policies while maintaining responsibility for unit budgets, cost management, and alignment with organizational objectives

Operational & Fiscal Stewardship

• Partner with the Sr. Director Security Operations and Finance to strategically plan and manage the annual operating budget, ensuring fiscally responsible decision‑making for supply chain needs, vendor performance, overtime oversight, and 24/7 staffing models.

• Oversee all administrative, fiscal, and operational activities supporting the West Cost Portfolio, ensuring a strong security posture.

Protection of People, Productions & Facilities

• Direct the daily security operations required to protect employees, guests, facilities, studios, news operations, productions, and Data Centers across multiple business segments.

• Maintain high standards of internal and external security engagement to ensure a safe, compliant, and resilient environment.

Technology Integration & Security Infrastructure

• Partner with Global Security Technology to strengthen the security ecosystem through effective use of CCTV systems, Lenel access control, and other Disney security technologies.

• Lead the implementation and optimization of the Visitor Management System integrated with D3, with a focus on restricting unauthorized access and proactively identifying individuals who pose potential risks to TWDC.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in the security field

• 5+ years of experience leading an organization of similar scale within a fast‑paced, multi‑national environment.

• Demonstrates expertise in remote and temporary facility security, including event‑specific risks, requirements, and industry best practices.

• Possesses working knowledge of police, fire, medical, and other emergency service provider procedures in responding to emergency incidents

• Demonstrates expert communication skills, tailoring messages to the unique needs of diverse audiences.

• Establishes credibility as a trusted business partner, earning stakeholder confidence and securing team building

• Demonstrates strong initiative; highly organized, intuitive, and collaborative, with the ability to excel in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.

• Possesses robust financial acumen and analytical skills to assess exposure to loss and evaluate alternative risk‑control strategies.

• Build trust and confidence through mutual respect and consistent, transparent communication.

• Proven ability to communicate complex organizational and human‑resource issues effectively.

• Comfortably manages multiple priorities and navigates complex situations with sound judgment.

• Some travel required

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree

• Experience overseeing security operations for television production environments.

• Experience coordinating with a third‑party security vendor.

• Law enforcement experience in major event planning

• Investigative or intelligence experience supporting risk mitigation.

The hiring range for this position in Los Angeles, CA is $126,800 - $170,000 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.