How to hire a security director

How to hire a security director, step by step

Here's a step-by-step security director hiring guide:

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

What does a security director do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the security director you need to hire. Certain security director 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

   A security director's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, security directors from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of security directors and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Security Director	Description	Hourly rate
   Security Director		$35-85
   Chief Of Security	A chief of security manages the security team's performance, monitors their company's security systems, and makes sure that the target level of security is met. Now and then, this officer may be expected to be a part of special projects that can fall outside their department but are still related to their job... Show more	$29-88
   Security Manager	Security managers are responsible for creating a safe environment for everyone and implementing policies to prevent emergencies. They ensure the safety of employees and assets of the company as well as its facilities... Show more	$35-79

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Oversight
   • Security Operations
   • Customer Service
   • Risk Management
   • Cloud Security
   • Security Program
   • Security Procedures
   • Criminal Justice
   • Security Management
   • Risk Assessments
   • Payroll
   • Safety Program
   • Security Policies
   • Emergency Response

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and coordinate all securities lending and match book business within RCap.
   • Work for and in Devops teams to automate cloud deployments and system processes.
   • Achieve market leadership, resulting in the top ranking of inter-dealer securities brokers on the street.
   • Manage supervisors and security officers including selection, scheduling, payroll, development and support.
   • Maintain full accountability for managing all aspects of day-to-day safety and security activities in accordance with organizational goals and objectives.
   • Monitor month-end process for global MBS financial reporting group.

   More security director duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your security director job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A security director salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a security director in South Dakota may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level security director usually earns less than a senior-level security director. Additionally, a security director with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average security director salary

   $114,844yearly

   $55.21 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level security director salary

   $73,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 5, 2025

   Average security director salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$131,387	$63
   2	Nevada	$123,246	$59
   3	New York	$123,049	$59
   4	Virginia	$122,586	$59
   5	Massachusetts	$117,918	$57
   6	Maryland	$116,860	$56
   7	Connecticut	$115,663	$56
   8	Arizona	$114,344	$55
   9	District of Columbia	$114,006	$55
   10	Ohio	$111,450	$54
   11	New Jersey	$111,165	$53
   12	Texas	$110,075	$53
   13	Minnesota	$106,577	$51
   14	Washington	$104,297	$50
   15	Oregon	$104,069	$50
   16	Utah	$102,288	$49
   17	Pennsylvania	$100,046	$48
   18	North Carolina	$98,470	$47
   19	Illinois	$96,896	$47
   20	Missouri	$93,758	$45

   Average security director salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Conning	$169,332	$81.41
   2	NVIDIA	$167,988	$80.76	3
   3	Cloudflare	$167,656	$80.60	7
   4	PayPal	$162,447	$78.10	13
   5	First Republic Bank	$160,064	$76.95
   6	Microsoft	$151,789	$72.98	35
   7	Stanford Health Care	$150,392	$72.30	9
   8	Capital Group	$147,966	$71.14	5
   9	CIBC World Markets	$146,704	$70.53
   10	Travelport	$143,340	$68.91	1
   11	Capgemini	$141,343	$67.95	3
   12	ON Semiconductor	$140,815	$67.70
   13	Fitbit	$138,761	$66.71
   14	DocuSign	$137,352	$66.03	6
   15	AlixPartners	$134,628	$64.72
   16	Trimble	$132,659	$63.78
   17	Amazon	$132,372	$63.64	121
   18	NTT Data International L.L.C.	$131,933	$63.43	19
   19	Robbinsdale Area Schools	$131,154	$63.05
   20	RTI International Metals	$130,657	$62.82

4. Writing a security director job description

   A job description for a security director role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a security director job description:

   Security director job description example

   The Rock Family of Companies is made up of nearly 100 separate businesses spanning fintech, sports, entertainment, real estate, startups and more. We're united by our culture - a drive to find a better way that fuels our commitment to our clients, our community and our team members. We believe in and build inclusive workplaces, where every voice is heard and diverse perspectives are welcomed. Working for a company in the Family is about more than just a job - it's about having the opportunity to become the best version of yourself.
   Preferred Qualifications
   Bachelor's degree 5 years of security experience
   
   Job Summary
   As the Director of Tower City Security, you'll lead our Tower Security Operations Center which operates 24/7/365. . This includes assisting with contracted Security and Parking teams by acting as a site reviewer for existing contacts. In this role, you'll be initiating activities to create security awareness within the organization, as well as assisting our technology teams with on-site security maintenance, support and installations. Here, you're going to also direct the development and implementation of security programs in the region to guard against theft, vandalism, sabotage, violence, or other threats against the client, organization, or its employees.
   
   Responsibilities
   Identify security weaknesses and implement procedures for mitigating losses Support Cleveland assets by performing safety presentations & ensuring compliance of security procedures on a quarterly basis Work directly with 3rd party vendors to quote, purchase, and test security-related products Coordinate new construction projects for the business as it relates to the security layout Manage small projects Audit project invoices billed to security for project completion at sites which you support Assist in the coordination of security actions such as badging photos, jump start orientations and emergency supply audits Lead the effort to coordinate security events off-site for company team meetings and activities Oversee site disaster planning and response with BCP and emergency, fire prevention and safety issues Ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations and standards involving hazardous materials when delivered by U.S. mail Act as liaison between security and property teams in ClevelandOrganize monthly calls and periodic site audits with out-of-state Security Czars for information sharing and best practices Collaborate with senior security leadership across the Family of Companies locations to ensure the same standards are being followed and help define new operational strategies Review security technology installations to validate processes and best practices have been followed Assist in establishing a data driven metrics program Perform site security audits Complete investigations as needed Work with Law Enforcement as necessary
   
   Who We Are
   Rock Security offers 24/7 safety and security services and training to Rock Family of Companies team members, tenants and visitors. We're proud to be part of collaborative public-private partnerships working toward the common goals of enhancing the safety of everyone who lives, works and visits Detroit, Cleveland and our other home cities.
   
   Disclaimer
   This is an outline of the primary responsibilities of this position. As with everything in life, things change. The tasks and responsibilities can be changed, added to, removed, amended, deleted and modified at any time by the leadership group.
   
   We are proud equal opportunity employers and committed to providing an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all candidates and team members. Employment decisions, including hiring decisions, are not based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with state and federal law.
   
   The Company is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, and does not discriminate in any hiring or employment practices. The Company provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with state and federal law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation in completing the application and/or participating in the employment application process should notify a representative of the Human Resources Team, The Pulse, at 1-800-411-JOBS.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find security directors 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 security directors they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level security directors 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 security director job on Zippia to find and recruit security director candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit security directors, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   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 security director

   Once you have selected a candidate for the security director position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new security director. 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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