Manager, Security Operations

About the Role & Team

The Studio Security Operations Manager is responsible for implementing a standardized, layered security program across The Walt Disney Studios, serving as the first line of defense for the Company’s most sensitive physical assets, intellectual property, Tier 1 critical locations, and more than 5,000 assigned employees. The role oversees security operations for highly sensitive and mission‑critical facilities, including The Walt Disney Company headquarters, Marvel Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, ABC West Coast, and other key locations across the Studio Lot, including the Disney Children’s Center.

The position leads the West Coast Security Operation’s Studio Lot security team, managing staffing, deployment, and daily security activities within a live studio environment. In addition to day‑to‑day operations, the role develops and executes comprehensive security plans for approximately 400 independent screenings, pop‑up events, high‑profile visits, and protests annually, as well as large‑scale, high‑visibility events such as Light Up the Season, seasonal employee celebrations, and the International Summit.

The Studio Security Operations Manager drives strategic and tactical security initiatives across Tier 1 locations while leading and motivating a team of more than 80 proprietary security officers. This includes direct security support for the CEO, C‑suite executives, segment chairpersons, and presidents, as well as oversight of specialized teams focused on executive protection, anti‑piracy, children’s center security, and access control.

Security operations support more than 6,000 daily employees, contractors, and visitors and address approximately 500 incidents annually through incident response, loss prevention, and risk mitigation. Success is achieved through strong collaboration with internal stakeholders and external law enforcement partners, along with responsibility for operational procedures, staffing forecasts, and executive‑level reporting.

What Will You Do?

Workforce Leadership & Performance Management

• Lead, manage, evaluate, mentor, coach, and when necessary, discipline a diverse, unionized workforce of more than 80 proprietary security officers.
• Drive departmental performance through ongoing coaching, counseling, and feedback, supported by regular formal and informal audits across multiple locations and shifts.
• Partner with third‑party security vendors as needed to deploy additional resources in response to elevated threats to employees or property.

Operational Oversight & Deployment

• Manage a Disney security manager and uniformed Shift Leads responsible for officer deployment, long‑term scheduling, and field operations and incident response.
• Oversee non‑standard deployments supporting construction projects, productions, special events, celebrations, and screenings.
• Act as the subject matter expert for physical security in a mixed studio and corporate office environment.

Training, Compliance & Capability Building

• Collaborate with the Domestic Security Strategy team and leadership to ensure compliance with state‑mandated certifications and training requirements.
• Support the development and execution of ongoing and emergent security training curriculum to maintain operational readiness.

Financial & Administrative Management

• Oversee administrative responsibilities including review of an annual payroll of approximately $5M for full‑time and regular part‑time Disney Security Officers.
• Ensure maintenance and serviceability of assigned security equipment and manage a vehicle fleet budget.
• Partner with internal stakeholders and West Coast Security Administration to ensure accurate and timely chargeback billing, resulting in approximately $2M in annual departmental budget credits.
• Collaborate with the Security Operations Senior Manager to manage an operating budget exceeding $5M and support capital expense planning while meeting financial targets.

Stakeholder Partnership & Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Serve as security’s primary point of contact for productions on the Studio Lot, maintaining close working relationships with Studio Operations, Facilities, Employee Relations, Human Resources, Corporate Executive Leadership, Special Events, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and ABC.
• Respond to security incidents and emergencies while ensuring stakeholders understand and adhere to studio security policies and procedures.
• Partner with Global Security teams including Security Design & Engineering, Global Security Investigations, the Global Security Control Center, and Regional Operational Security leadership to deliver a best‑in‑class security operation supporting corporate and studio headquarters.

External Partnerships & Industry Engagement

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with external partners including local law enforcement, unions, city agencies (e.g., hospitals), operating participants, and adjacent businesses.
• Proactively engage partners to address upcoming security challenges and incidents and develop effective mitigation strategies.
• Build and sustain relationships with industry security leaders across large media and comparable organizations to identify emerging risks, benchmark best practices, and evolve policies and procedures.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• 7+ years of private sector security and / or US military security experience
• At least 3 years of experience leading teams
• Proficient in Microsoft Windows, Excel, and security software platforms

• Strong organizational and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in Security roles within Studios is a plus

Education

•  Bachelor’s degree

Additional Information

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 California is $152,800.00-$186,600.00 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.