How to hire a head of security

How to hire a head of security, step by step

Here's a step-by-step head of security hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a head of security job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new head of security
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a head of security do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the head of security you need to hire. Certain head of security roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a head of security to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a head of security that fits the bill.

   This list presents head of security salaries for various positions.

   Type of Head Of Security	Description	Hourly rate
   Head Of Security	Security guards and gaming surveillance officers patrol and protect property against theft, vandalism, terrorism, and illegal activity.	$41-132
   Custom Protection Officer	A custom protection officer is a trained security officer who works for a private security company called the G4S. Utilizing their expertise and experience, a custom protection officer is primarily in charge of guarding commercial to private establishments, properties, and even individuals... Show more	$13-22
   Officer	An officer is responsible for managing the daily operations of the assigned area, ensuring its peace and security by monitoring and reporting unusual and suspicious activities. Officers are the ones enforcing strict safety protocols and procedures to maintain the order within the premises... Show more	$12-49

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Cloud Security
   • Security Procedures
   • Emergency Situations
   • IDS
   • Security Operations
   • Local Law Enforcement
   • Crowd Control
   • Incident Reports
   • Data Loss Prevention
   • Loss Prevention
   • Security Systems
   • Security Policies
   • Property Damage
   • CCTV

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Monitor CCTV systems, tracking software, and patrols for potential security risks.
   • Monitor campus building activity via CCTV, key control access systems and officer patrol.
   • Supervise the escort and security (to and from the establishment) of celebrity, high-profile and VIP clientele.
   • Provide personnel VIP security and professional athlete
   • Dispatch patrol officers, monitor security system, fill out daily security reports, supervise a small group of security officers.
   • Provide security guidance to internal and external customers utilizing DOD and IC regulations.

   More head of security duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your head of security job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A head of security can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, heads of security' average salary in hawaii is 54% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level heads of security 69% less than senior-level heads of security.
   • Certifications. A head of security with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a head of security's salary.

   Average head of security salary

   $154,257yearly

   $74.16 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level head of security salary

   $86,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

   Average head of security salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	District of Columbia	$204,436	$98
   2	Pennsylvania	$154,042	$74
   3	Texas	$153,830	$74
   4	New York	$148,975	$72
   5	New Jersey	$147,605	$71
   6	Virginia	$145,246	$70
   7	Massachusetts	$144,824	$70
   8	Michigan	$141,577	$68
   9	California	$141,179	$68
   10	North Carolina	$140,254	$67
   11	Illinois	$137,853	$66
   12	Nevada	$132,395	$64
   13	Georgia	$131,728	$63
   14	Florida	$123,782	$60
   15	Utah	$112,031	$54
   16	Washington	$105,386	$51
   17	Colorado	$104,731	$50

   Average head of security salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	BitGo	$176,719	$84.96
   2	Meta	$175,702	$84.47	319
   3	Apple	$168,718	$81.11	24
   4	Grubhub	$161,947	$77.86
   5	GEA Group	$160,559	$77.19
   6	WePay	$159,719	$76.79
   7	Enel X	$152,471	$73.30
   8	Novartis	$150,649	$72.43	9
   9	The Boston Beer Company	$149,205	$71.73
   10	Enel Green Power	$147,998	$71.15
   11	Stripe	$147,034	$70.69	7
   12	CHANEL	$140,668	$67.63
   13	AIG	$137,608	$66.16	14
   14	Waymo	$137,440	$66.08	4
   15	Acadian Asset Management	$136,876	$65.81
   16	MUFG EMEA	$135,950	$65.36
   17	GroupM	$135,036	$64.92
   18	Population Services International	$133,153	$64.02
   19	iRobot	$133,065	$63.97
   20	Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group	$131,993	$63.46

4. Writing a head of security job description

   A head of security job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a head of security job description:

   Head of security job description example

   Astranis is connecting the four billion people in the world who do not currently have access to the internet. We are building the next generation of smaller, lower-cost spacecraft to bring the world online.
   
   We are well-funded by some of the best investors in the business and have raised over $350 million to date. We have a world-class team that is passionate about building amazing technology. And we have a fun and collaborative work environment where you will learn a lot and make a huge impact no matter where you are in your career. Just check out our Glassdoor reviews to see what our team has to say about working at Astranis.
   Our team is growing fast. Apply now!
   
   We are seeking a highly capable Head of Physical Security to develop and implement physical security strategies at our company. You will be creating security policies and procedures, controlling budgets for security operations, acting as the liaison between company executive policies and security vendors, as well as managing the daily routines and techniques, tactics, and procedures of our on-site contracted security staff.
   To ensure success as the Head of Physical Security, you should possess extensive knowledge of surveillance, de-escalation, and intervention techniques with experience in a similar role. Our ideal Head of Physical Security will be someone whose extensive background in security results in a safe and well-protected environment.
   Responsibilities:Collaborating with senior leadership to determine physical and electronic security needs of the facility Planning and implementing comprehensive security programs and strategies including emergency action response, incident reporting, and company wide safety training Supervising, developing work schedules, allocating tasks, and monitoring the performance of contracted physical security personnel Respond quickly in any emergency situation up to and including the use of physical force to re-establish a safe environment for all Astranis employees Develop, train, and communicate emergency evacuation procedures to all employees and conduct safety drills and training as required Personally responsible for establishing and performing recurring daily/hourly patrol routes throughout the facility Report into the office after hours and on holidays when necessary to respond to or facilitate security operations Gathering relevant intelligence from local sources and implementing preventative measures Preparing electronic surveillance equipment maintenance schedules and facilitating repairs in a timely manner, including all physical access control points and security badge readers Keep abreast of new technologies and advancements in security services Ensure compliance with all company policies, industry standard local security guidelines, and all other applicable laws of the United States, State of California, and City of San Francisco
   Requirements:A minimum of 10 years previous law enforcement experience in a congested urban environment or prior military service in an advanced operational capacity Extensive experience in preventing illegal activity and performing access control procedures In-depth knowledge of security procedures and electronic surveillance equipment Knowledge of local security industry regulations Advanced ability to coordinate responses to security breaches and threats Superb leadership and organizational abilities Excellent interpersonal and communication skills Availability to respond to security situations outside of business hours Must be here in our San Francisco office five days per week
   U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required
   (To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States, or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3))
   
   Our mission and our products are meant to connect the world and everyone in it, regardless of gender, race, creed, or any other distinction. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we encourage all people to join our team and bring their unique perspective to help make us stronger.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find heads of security for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any heads of security they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level heads of security with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your head of security job on Zippia to find and recruit head of security candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with head of security candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new head of security

   Once you've selected the best head of security candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new head of security. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a head of security?