Director, Physical Security Governance, NA

About Vantage Data CentersVantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.Physical Security DepartmentThe North America Physical Security Department is focused on delivering a best-in-class security program aligned with Vantage’s vision of becoming the leading industry physical security data center provider. Our mission is to safeguard our data center environments through comprehensive, scalable, and standardized physical security processes that deter threats, promote rapid incident response, ensure regulatory compliance, and support Vantage’s rapid growth.The department leads all physical security efforts across North America, ensuring that every Vantage data center operates within a consistent, scalable, and standardized security framework. Our teams design and implement physical security programs, systems, and processes that deter threats, strengthen site resiliency, and enable rapid response to incidents. We partner closely with Operations, Engineering, Construction, IT, and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure that physical security is embedded into every phase of the asset lifecycle and supports Vantage’s rapid expansion.Position OverviewThis role is based in Montreal, QC. In alignment with our flexible work policy (3 days on site required, 2 days flexible).The Director, Physical Security Governance will be responsible for designing, building, and leading Vantage Data Centers’ North American physical security governance program from inception through full operational maturity. This role establishes the framework that ensures security is delivered consistently, compliantly, and at scale across all North American sites, while enabling the business to grow with confidence.This leader will own the policies, quality assurance, compliance oversight, performance measurement, and continuous-improvement mechanisms that transform physical security from site-based execution into a governed, measurable, enterprise-grade program.This position serves as the central authority for how physical security is defined, governed, measured, and improved across Vantage Data Centers’ North American portfolio.Core ResponsibilitiesSecurity Governance & Program LeadershipDesign and implement the North American Physical Security Governance Program, including governance models, operating frameworks, and control structures aligned with enterprise security objectives.Establish clear accountability, ownership, and decision rights across Physical Security Design, Delivery, Operations, Technology, and the Security Management Center (SMC).Serve as the executive-level authority for physical security governance across North America, ensuring all sites operate under a unified framework.Policy, Standards & ProceduresDevelop, maintain, and govern all North American physical security policies, standards, and procedures, including but not limited to:Access controlVideo surveillanceGuard force operationsIncident and threat managementVisitor managementConstruction site securityData center physical security controlsEnsure policies align with corporate risk, legal, compliance, privacy, and customer contractual obligations.Translate security standards into operationally executable procedures across all North American sites.Quality Assurance, Audits & Continuous ImprovementBuild and lead a Quality Assurance and Compliance function for physical security, including audit programs, control testing, site inspections, and validation of operating effectiveness.Define and manage corrective action and remediation programs resulting from audits, incidents, and performance gaps.Own the governance of all physical security after-action reviews, ensuring root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and preventive controls are documented, tracked, and closed.Performance Management, KPIs & MetricsDefine and own the physical security performance framework, including key performance indicators (KPIs), key risk indicators (KRIs), and quality metrics.Establish measurable standards for:Policy complianceControl effectivenessIncident response qualityTraining and certification completionSite security performanceEnsure leadership and site teams have clear, data-driven visibility into security performance, risks, and trends.Training, Certification & EnablementDesign, develop, and govern the enterprise security training and awareness framework for North America, covering all employees, contractors, and site personnel, including:Physical security awareness and policy trainingWorkplace violence prevention and responseThreat awareness, reporting, and escalationVisitor management and access control expectationsNew-hire and new-site onboarding security trainingAnnual and recurring security awareness and compliance trainingOwn the creation, maintenance, and governance of all security training content, including standards, curricula, learning materials, and certification requirements.Ensure training programs remain aligned with evolving threats, regulatory requirements, customer security expectations, and internal risk priorities.Partner with Human Resources, Legal, Compliance, Operations, the Security Management Center (SMC), and Technology teams to embed security training into onboarding, lifecycle training, and daily business operations.Outreach, Engagement & Program AdoptionBuild and mature the Outreach and Engagement function to drive adoption of physical security governance across:Data center site leadershipConstruction and delivery teamsOperations and ITCorporate stakeholdersExternal partners, including law enforcement and relevant government agenciesEstablish and maintain strong working relationships with local, state, and federal law enforcement and government entities to support incident response, investigations, emergency preparedness, and threat mitigation.Lead change management, communications, and stakeholder engagement to ensure security standards, expectations, and governance models are consistently understood and applied across the North American portfolio.Required Qualifications10+ years of experience in physical security, risk management, compliance, or governance within data centers, critical infrastructure, or high-reliability environments.Proven experience building and scaling enterprise governance, compliance, or quality assurance programs.Deep understanding of physical security controls, guard force operations, access control systems, and surveillance technologies.Experience operating in audited, regulated, or customer-validated environments.Demonstrated ability to define metrics, KPIs, and control frameworks and hold organizations accountable to them.Preferred ExperienceExperience supporting hyperscale or colocation data centers.Background in audit, compliance, or quality management systems.Experience partnering with legal, risk, compliance, construction, IT, and operations teams.Familiarity with security platforms, incident management tools, and compliance tracking systems.Physical Demands and Special RequirementsThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop or kneel; talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.#LI-Hybrid #LI-AH1 We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other’s strengths and respecting each other’s weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity EmployerVantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.