Division/Dept: Security
Location: Washington, D.C. Office
FLSA Status: Exempt
Travel: up to 15%
Version Date: 11/2025

Summary:

The Director of Security (DoS) is the senior-most official responsible for developing and executing the organization’s comprehensive physical security strategy. Operating in an elevated and highly visible threat environment, the DoS protects AIPAC’s people, facilities, events, reputation, and mission-critical operations both domestically and internationally.

The DoS will help shape the organization’s security philosophy, contribute to defining its risk tolerance, and oversee every area of physical security operations—including executive protection, guard force operations, intelligence analysis, facility hardening, security technology, insider threat prevention, and event security. The DoS also partners closely with the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to address cyber-physical threats and hybrid risks such as doxxing, swatting, and cyber-enabled harassment.

This position requires a visionary security leader who can balance proactive risk mitigation with the organization’s mission-driven engagement and public visibility. The ideal candidate brings deep leadership experience in military, intelligence, law enforcement, and/or high-risk corporate/nonprofit environments, and is capable of leading diverse teams, building organizational resilience, and responding decisively to rapidly evolving threats.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Risk Management
• Develop and implement AIPAC’s overall security strategy, philosophy, and risk management framework.
• Assess and help define AIPAC’s risk tolerance, identifying threats and vulnerabilities to inform strategic priorities.
• Provide expert counsel to senior leadership on evolving security risks, threat environments, mitigation strategies and recommendations.
• Build a culture of awareness, preparedness, and shared responsibility across the organization.

Operations & Oversight:
• Provide direct supervision of Security Department’s six primary divisions:
• Event Security – Responsible for all AIPAC events, including national conferences, high-profile public engagements and regional events.
• Guard Force – Responsible for recruitment, training and deployment of all guards (internal and contracted) to ensure consistent standards, training, and performance across all locations.
• Intelligence Analysis – Responsible for monitoring and analyzing emerging threats—including physical, reputational, and online risks—to inform proactive prevention strategies.
• Security Technology & Equipment – Responsible for all technology and equipment sourcing, purchases, deployment and maintenance.
• Executive Protection & Staff Training – Responsible for all staff safety issues including EP, residential security, training, and life safety.
• Regional Security Operations – Including Regional Security Officers in NYC, LA, Chicago, and Miami
• Lead a multi-layered workforce including contracted guards, vendor partners, junior staff, analysts, investigators, and support personnel.
• Mentor security department teams, ensuring professionalism, discretion, and alignment with the organization’s mission and values.

Threat Prevention & Incident Response:
• Develop and maintain incident response protocols and crisis management plans to ensure rapid, coordinated action when needed.
• Collaborate with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as private security and intelligence partners, to stay ahead of potential threats.
• Oversee investigations into security incidents, breaches, or misconduct, ensuring timely resolution and organizational learning.

Leadership & Collaboration:
• Build and mentor a high-performing security team focused on professionalism, discretion, and mission alignment.
• Partner closely with Executive, Facilities, Events, Legal, and IT teams to ensure integrated security practices.
• Represent AIPAC’s security interests with external partners, venues, and vendors.
• Uphold AIPAC’s values of excellence, integrity, humility, and mission while ensuring safety and preparedness in all environments.

Qualifications/Skills:

Required:
• Minimum 20 years of progressively responsible security, law enforcement, intelligence, and/or related experience, including at least 10 years in senior leadership roles.
• Demonstrated expertise in security management, protective services, crisis response, and event security.
• Strong understanding of threat assessment, risk analysis, and emergency preparedness best practices.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and large-scale security operations.
• Experience working with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and private security contractors.
• Exceptional judgment, discretion, and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to brief senior leadership and manage sensitive issues.

Preferred:
• Experience in a high-profile nonprofit, advocacy, or political environment with heightened public visibility and/or controversy.
• Familiarity with cyber-physical security integration and emerging security technologies.
• Bachelor’s degree and/or advanced degree in criminal justice, security management, or related field.
• Relevant federal, state, or private certifications in security, law enforcement, or crisis management.

Personal Attributes:
• Strategic thinker with a calm, authoritative presence.
• Mission-driven and values-oriented, with high ethical standards.
• Proactive, pragmatic, and collaborative in approach.
• Able to balance openness and engagement with vigilance and protection.

This job description is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and AIPAC reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as deemed appropriate.