New

Senior Manager, Physical Security Systems and Operations

AHEAD
vision insurance, paid time off, 401(k)
United States, Illinois, Chicago
401 North Michigan Avenue (Show on map)
Jun 04, 2026
AHEAD builds platforms for digital business. By weaving together advances in cloud infrastructure, automation and analytics, and software delivery, we help enterprises deliver on the promise of digital transformation. At AHEAD, we prioritize creating a culture of belonging, where all perspectives and voices are represented, valued, respected, and heard. We create spaces to empower everyone to speak up, make change, and drive the culture at AHEAD. We are an equal opportunity employer, and do not discriminate based on an individual's race, national origin, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, marital status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law, whether actual or perceived. We embrace all candidates that will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives at AHEAD. The Senior Manager, Physical Security Systems and Operations will lead the design, governance, standardization, and day-to-day operational effectiveness of AHEAD's physical security technology environment. This role is responsible for developing security systems standards, managing system lifecycles, recommending and supporting the selection and implementation of new physical security technologies, and ensuring those technologies drive measurable operational outcomes across the business. This individual will serve as a key partner to internal stakeholders and external security integrators, with particular focus on real estate projects, site builds, expansions, and operational improvements. They will also establish and manage key performance indicators for physical security systems to improve reliability, governance, and scalability across AHEAD locations. Key Responsibilities Security Systems Strategy, Standards, and Governance Develop and maintain enterprise standards for physical security systems, including access control, video surveillance, alarms, and related integrations. Create and enforce governance for system configuration, permissions, audit logging, change control, data handling, and lifecycle management. Standardize platforms and configurations across sites to support consistency, auditability, and scale. Systems Lifecycle and Technology Management Own the lifecycle of physical security systems from evaluation and implementation through optimization, maintenance, and retirement. Recommend new technologies and enhancements that improve security posture, user experience, operational resilience, and program maturity. Partner with vendors and integrators to ensure system uptime, service quality, maintenance, and roadmap alignment. Operational Execution Oversee day-to-day operation of physical security platforms and help ensure technology decisions translate into effective field execution and measurable business impact. Support monitoring, incident workflows, and operational readiness for critical systems and sites. Drive continuous improvement by identifying process gaps, reducing manual work, and improving reliability across physical and mobile credential environments. Cross-Functional Partnership Interface directly with security integrators and internal cross-functional partners, including Real Estate, Facilities, HR, IT, Legal, and Compliance, to align security technology with business needs and project delivery timelines. Provide physical security systems leadership for office builds, renovations, expansions, and relocations, ensuring standardized design and implementation. Support access governance processes tied to onboarding, transfers, and terminations in coordination with internal stakeholders. Metrics and Performance Management Define, track, and report key performance indicators for physical security systems and operations, including uptime, defect/failure rates, service responsiveness, access governance, and operational quality. Use data and metrics to prioritize improvements, inform investment decisions, and demonstrate program impact. Qualifications 7-10+ years of experience in physical security systems, security technology, or security operations roles. Deep experience with physical security platforms such as access control, video surveillance, alarms, and related integrations. Strong understanding of system governance, identity/access workflows, and role-based access principles. Experience working with external security integrators, service providers, and technology vendors. Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional partners and manage work across multiple stakeholders and projects. Strong analytical and operational mindset, with experience building or managing KPI-driven programs. Comfortable operating in a growing, fast-paced environment and building structure where maturity is still developing. Preferred Qualifications Experience supporting corporate office, lab, or multi-site environments. Familiarity with audit, compliance, and control requirements related to physical security operations. Experience supporting new site development, expansions, or real estate-driven security projects. What Success Looks Like In this role, success means AHEAD has stronger security systems governance, clearer technical standards, improved platform reliability, better lifecycle management, more effective vendor oversight, and measurable operational performance across physical security systems globally. The compensation range indicated in this posting reflects the On-Target Earnings ("OTE") for this role, which includes a base salary and any applicable target bonus amount. This OTE range may vary based on the candidate's relevant experience, qualifications, and geographic location. Why AHEAD: Through our daily work and internal groups like Moving Women AHEAD and RISE AHEAD, we value and benefit from diversity of people, ideas, experience, and everything in between. We fuel growth by stacking our office with top-notch technologies in a multi-million-dollar lab, by encouraging cross department training and development, sponsoring certifications and credentials for continued learning. USA Employment Benefits include: - Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance - 401(k) - Paid company holidays - Paid time off - Paid parental and caregiver leave - Plus more! See benefits https://www.aheadbenefits.com/ for additional details. Use of AI: We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, assessing responses, or to capture recordings and create transcriptions or summaries during interviews. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please refer to the Candidate Privacy Notice or contact us at privacy@ahead.com. You may opt-out of the review or analysis of your application and resume by AI tools by using the General Application. Please include the role you wish to apply for in the Additional Information field. You may also choose to opt-out of recording and transcription at any time, including after joining an interview. Candidates will not be penalized for choosing to opt-out.