How To Become A Director, Corporate Security: What It Is and Career Path

What is a director, corporate security and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

The role of a director of corporate security is imperative to ensuring the security of their organization. This involves designing policies and strategies for corporate security, overseeing executive protection requirements, evaluating existing security practices, and coordinating with different departments that play a role in the organization's security.

A director of corporate security safeguards an organization against many different threats, including workplace violence, data breaches, trespassers, and other malevolent elements that can compromise the safety of its constituents. They work closely with security teams and the IT department to carry out their duties and report directly to upper management.

This role typically requires a bachelor's degree in business, criminal justice, or a similar field, but having a master's degree can put one in a better spot. Furthermore, a director of corporate security needs to have extensive industry experience, as well as a deep understanding of the ins and outs of their organization.

Directors of corporate security are imperative in the continuity of a business. Thus, they are paid handsomely with an average salary of $130,000 per year.

ScoreDirector, Corporate SecurityUS Average

Salary

4.6

Avg. Salary $58,292

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.5

Growth rate 32%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.43%

Asian 9.64%

Black or African American 9.15%

Hispanic or Latino 8.99%

Unknown 6.09%

White 65.70%

Gender

female 12.30%

male 87.70%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress level

6.5

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.9

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a director, corporate security

Explore director, corporate security education requirements

Most common director, corporate security degrees

Bachelor's

61.0 %

Master's

13.8 %

Associate

11.4 %

Start to develop specific director, corporate security skills

Skills	Percentages
Risk Management	6.64%
Oversight	6.44%
Security Operations	5.85%
Criminal Justice	5.29%
Physical Security	4.55%

Complete relevant director, corporate security training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New directors, corporate security learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a director, corporate security based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real director, corporate security resumes.

Research director, corporate security duties and responsibilities

Manage institution-wide information security governance processes including the creation and deployment of the initial security policy using the ISO framework.
Apply knowledge of industry standards and frameworks including COBIT, ISO and NIST.
Provide direct oversight of the company's executive protection unit.
Patrol designated districts in patrol cars, on bicycles and on foot.

Get director, corporate security experience

Generally, it takes 4-6 years to become a director, corporate security. The most common roles before becoming a director, corporate security include police officer, special agent team lead and security manager.

Prepare your director, corporate security resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your director, corporate security resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a director, corporate security resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable director, corporate security resume templates

Build a professional director, corporate security resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your director, corporate security resume.

Apply for director, corporate security jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a director, corporate security job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do directors, corporate security rate their job?

5/5

Based on 1 ratings

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Director, corporate security reviews

5.0

A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2021

Pros

Providing training on professionalism, cultural diversity, emergency management protocols, fire and emergency evacuation, directing a team of professional security officers and and supervisors. Working as one team.

Cons

Untrained individuals with no background in security Interfering with security operations. that put life and property at risk. Folk who fail to take security and safety serious.