Director of Security Operations

Bachelor's degree in Administration of Justice, Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement or related field or the equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience is required plus a minimum of 15 years of demonstrated leadership; or Master's degree plus a minimum of 13 years of demonstrated leadership. General Dynamics experience preferred.

Security Clearance: Active U.S. government issued Top Secret level security clearance OR the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret level security clearance. Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access and/or polygraph may be required. Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.

General Dynamics is seeking a Director of Security Operations to lead the modernization, integration, and strategic alignment of enterprise security functions across the organization. This role is responsible for building unified security governance, advancing regulatory and contractual compliance programs, centralizing personnel security functions, and strengthening cross-functional partnerships to ensure mission readiness and secure operational performance.

This position is critical to maintaining compliance with federal requirements and supporting General Dynamics’ ability to execute classified contract work. The Director of Security Operations will establish and manage enterprise security strategies, ensure alignment with business operations, and drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance overall security posture.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Team Management: Lead the design, development, and implementation of enterprise-level security governance programs, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and compliance across all business areas. Represent Security in Merger & Acquisition initiatives, providing strategic guidance to ensure secure integration and due diligence processes.  Provide regular reporting to senior leadership on enterprise security health, performance metrics, compliance outcomes, risks, and recommended mitigation strategies. Develop, track, and present security Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to drive measurable improvement and executive decision-making. Direct business continuity planning and security preparedness activities to ensure organizational resilience. 

Operational Security & Cross-Functional Integration: Strengthen partnerships across IT, Cybersecurity, HR, Legal, Finance, and business units to ensure cohesive, proactive, and enterprise-aligned security decision-making. Coordinate with Line of Business (LOB) Program Security teams to align enterprise security strategy with operational needs, ensuring actionable intelligence, automated capability improvements, and integrated daily execution. 

Regulatory & Contractual Compliance Oversight: Establish and lead an enterprise compliance program ensuring adherence to regulatory and contractual requirements.  Develop processes to track, resolve, and report vulnerabilities, ensuring timely corrective actions and improved audit outcomes. Oversee defensible, timely investigations and early identification of potential insider risks within regulatory boundaries. 

Personnel Security Centralization & Process Improvement: Direct multi-phase modernization and centralization of personnel security functions across the enterprise, ensuring standardization, efficiency, and compliance. Utilize AI-enabled technologies to improve accuracy, timeliness, and cost efficiency in compliance and administrative security operations.

Physical Security, Security Education & Training: Lead organizational oversight for physical security strategy, standards, and implementation. Oversee development of enterprise-wide security education, training, and awareness programs to strengthen organizational readiness.

Reporting & Executive Communication: Provide regular reporting to senior leadership on enterprise security health, performance metrics, compliance outcomes, risks, and recommended mitigation strategies. Develop, track, and present security Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to drive measurable improvement and executive decision-making. Set clear objectives, performance metrics, and professional development plans for team members.

Training and Awareness Programs:  Oversee the development and implementation of security related training and awareness programs for employees and management. Foster a culture of security awareness and vigilance throughout the organization. Develop a strategy to share best practices and lessons learned.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in security, National Security, Criminal Justice, or a related field (master’s degree preferred).

Experience: Minimum of 7 years of experience in Security with at least 4 years in management role, specifically focused on Security management, identification of security risks and developing mitigation strategies within the government and/or defense sectors. Proven experience in leading teams and managing programs.

Skills: Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and draw actionable conclusions. Proficient risk management. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to present complex information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences. Must possess basic AI skills.

Security Clearance: Active U.S. government issued Top Secret level security clearance OR the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret level security clearance. Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access and/or polygraph may be required.

Preferred Qualifications

Specialized Knowledge: Strong knowledge of federal regulations and industry security standards and framework. Demonstrated experience in multiple security roles including Facility Security Officer, Contractor Program Security Officer, Physical Security, Personnel Security, and International Security. Proven experience conducting security assessments and developing risk mitigation strategies. Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence and interact.

 Professional Certifications: Relevant certifications such as, Insider Threat Program Manager Certification, Facility Security Office Possessing Certification. Preferred.

Benefits

Compensation: Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.

Health Benefits: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

Retirement Options: 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions.

Paid Time Off: Generous vacation and sick leave policies, along with paid holidays.

Professional Development: Opportunities for continued education, training, and attendance at relevant conferences and workshops.

General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of 12,000+ top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defense and scientific arenas. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency. We offer highly competitive benefits and pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose. You will also enjoy a flexible work environment where contributions are recognized and rewarded. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we invite you to join our high-performance team!

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans