Head of Security, Americas - Operations

Head of Security, Americas - Operations

The Company

Christie’s, the world’s largest art business, is an incredibly exciting and enriching place to start or continue your career. Whether you work in one of our Specialist Art Departments or in one of our operational teams, we all share a common goal: to continue the success of this 250-year-old company, steeped in history, while bringing fresh ideas and upholding our shared values of Integrity, Excellence, Innovation, Responsibility, and Relationships. Colleagues across all departments are truly passionate about their work, and it is inspiring to collaborate with industry leaders across our business.

Why This Role Matters

The Head of Security, Americas, is responsible for the delivery of security services and solutions of the highest standard and for ensuring the safety and security of people, property and all Christie’s locations in a manner consistent with Christie’s brand, values and business objectives.

The Head of Security, Americas is a technical and subject-matter expert with a deep knowledge of security best practice, policy and procedure and risk-mitigation planning. They have strong relationships within the security and law enforcement communities and expertise with advanced security technology. They have a keen understanding of and comfort within a high-end luxury business environment and are comfortable and skilled at interacting with individuals across all levels of the firm, clientele and members of the public.

A strategic thought-leader and seasoned communicator, the Head of Security, Americas is adept at bridging technical security knowledge with practical application and messaging. They are comfortable and poised in even the most challenging of circumstances and are naturally positive and collaborative. This role works in close collaboration with Operations teams, Legal & Risk, Art Departments and global security counterparts.

How You'll Make an Impact

Primary Responsibilities

• Design and successfully implement holistic security strategy for Americas locations that is both consistent with global standards and takes into account unique regional and department needs.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the business, with a focus on providing proactive solutions, mitigating risk and spreading security/safety awareness

• Maintain strong relationships with local, state and federal law enforcement and other related government agencies including greater Security industry and law enforcement networking

• Maintain all security procedure documentation; oversee timely project management and delivery

• Provide regular, proactive security updates to the Director of Operations, Americas and Regional President, including trend reporting and KPI analysis

• Manage Security Department budget, including maintaining accurate financial records and close awareness of spend, justification of budget variances and proactively identifying areas for savings

• Collaborate with Director of Operations, Global Head of Security and Executive Leadership on emergency communication planning, including identifying and implementing latest platforms, technologies, etc.

• Build and maintain a strong voice in the business, including proactive, professional communication to staff; serve as an internal resource for safety and security planning and response

• Develop and promote a positive, collaborative and client-experience-focused security culture

Team Management

• Lead, support and develop a high performing team, ensuring that all levels of management and staff, including contracted employees, are proactive, responsive, innovative and solution-oriented

• Maintain a calm, agile, positive and flexible approach to operational demands and supervision, providing leadership in action

• Ensure all security staff are appropriately qualified/licensed, regularly trained and have the necessary skills and awareness to perform their roles  

• Own relationship and contract management for third party security providers, including close management of SLA and agreed KPI’s, continued KPI development and recording and regular performance assessments

• Actively collaborate with regional heads of security on strategic projects and policies updates; attend global security meetings and lead assigned global strategic projects.

Risk Management

• Maintain updated Security policies and procedures; complete annual audit to ensure policy and procedure are fit-for-purpose

• Maintain annual calendar of trainings and ongoing awareness/communication plan

• Create and implement bespoke security, sale and crowd control plans as needed

• Daily monitoring of Social Media channels and local events, protests, etc. for potential threats/risks

• Proactively complete risk assessments; identify and implement risk mitigation measures accordingly

• Oversee Incident Response, Business Continuity and Fire Life Safety planning; responsible for ensuring staff awareness and compliance and designing and running regular trainings and drills

• Oversee the investigation of security threats and breaches; assist with disciplinary and legal matters associated with such breaches as necessary, including investigative responsibility for theft, loss, damage and liaising with law enforcement when needed

• Liaise with property management and ensure compliance with all building/local/regional policy/law

• Conduct regular site and policy audits, including impromptu spot inspections to ensure adherence to security and safety standards

• Design and oversee the maintenance of technical security systems and physical security

• Ensure a strict and efficient data governance regime

• Promote Health & Safety awareness within the company; contribute to quarterly H&S meetings

• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends and for occasional travel as required

What You’ll Bring to the Team

• Bachelors degree and/or a background in the Armed Forces or Policing with a minimum of 10 years’ experience in a security management role

• Security qualifications e.g. Certified Protection Professional (CPP)

• Extensive experience with Health & Safety management and Business Continuity Planning

• Proven crisis management capabilities, including the ability to make quick but thorough decisions in emergencies or when a rapid response is required

• Experience delivering effective security and safety solutions in the luxury goods, high value art or museum sectors; experience working with HNW clientele

• Experienced investigator able to deliver crime prevention and operational security solutions in complex, consistently changing and high-risk environments; experience with risk identification and analysis techniques

• Experience managing security contractors to defined performance standards and budget

• Strong project management skills

• Must be articulate, polished and persuasive leader who can serve as an effective member of the Operations Management team and effectively communicate security-related concepts to a broad range of technical and non-technical staff

• Must have strong working knowledge of pertinent law and the law enforcement community

• Must have strong working knowledge of security systems and design

• Strong communication and presentation skills, experience and comfort with public speaking

• Experience developing and embedding new procedures and facilitating collaborative change

• Must take initiative, follow through and be results-oriented

• Demonstrates flexibility, strong problem-solving, strategic planning and leadership skills

The Benefits

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision care plans for employees and dependents (On average, Christie’s pays 80% of total premiums)

• 401(k) Savings Plan – Christie’s provides a matching contribution up to 5% (subject to IRS limits)

• Life Insurance - 3x base salary up to $400k (100% paid by Christie’s)

• Disability Insurance (100% paid by Christie’s)

• Generous time-off and leave policies; including 100% Paid Family Leave up to 16 weeks.

• Fitness Reimbursement Program: reimbursement of eligible fitness fees and memberships up to $600 per year

• Annual Discretionary Performance Bonus Plan

• Commuter Benefits - Pre-tax money towards your daily commute with a Christie’s contribution of $21 per month

• Back Up Child & Elder Care –  up to 10 days of back-up Child or Elder Care through Bright Horizons

• CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Day- Each employee receives one paid day per year to dedicate their time to a charity of their choice.

• Perks and Discounts through Zo and Plum Benefits

Christie’s, Inc. is committed to principles of equal employment opportunity, affirmative action, and to compliance with all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. To this end, Christie’s Inc. ensures equal opportunity to all employees and applicants, regardless of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, lawful alien status, physical, mental, and medical disability, veteran status or liability status for service in the United States Armed Forces.

*Posted salary range does not include discretionary bonus compensation and overtime pay.

Compensation RangeSalary: $150,000.00 - $175,000.00