About the Role:

The Director, DCL Security is responsible for all aspects of Disney Cruise Line’s security program across its fleet, terminals, and island resorts, ensuring a safe and secure environment for guests, crew, and cast members while upholding Disney values and delivering magical vacation experiences within the Disney Experiences segment.

Responsibilities:

As an executive leader overseeing multiple specialties within the security function, the Director, DCL Security provides strategic direction through senior managers and managers, develops and executes security strategies and business plans, and partners across shipboard and shoreside departments to ensure robust, compliant, and guest-focused security operations that protect people, assets, and brand reputation for Disney Cruise Line and Disney Experiences.

Lead all aspects of the Disney Cruise Line security program for ships, terminals, and island resorts, acting as the Company Security Officer and ensuring a secure environment at all levels of the organization.
Develop the goals, objectives, and strategy for Disney Cruise Line Security Operations, aligning plans and priorities with broader functional and segment strategies to address risks across travel, cruise, and vacation experiences.
Oversee criminal, injury, and policy violation investigations company-wide, ensuring thorough, timely, and compliant handling of incidents and effective coordination with Legal and Human Resources.
Verify that ship, port, terminal, shore excursion, and resort security assessments are documented, reviewed, accepted, and retained in accordance with ISPS and other applicable standards, and that ship and port security plans are developed, approved, implemented, maintained, and modified to correct deficiencies.
Ensure Port Facility Security Officers and ship security officers implement and monitor the effectiveness of their plans through audits, drills, exercises, and continuous improvement of physical and operational security measures.
Maintain comprehensive records of security threats and incidents, training drills and exercises, breaches of security, changes in security levels, security-related communications, audits, plan reviews, amendments, and testing and maintenance of security equipment and alert systems.
Partner with the Technical Department to review and verify properly functioning ship and port security systems and associated equipment, ensuring consistent testing and operational readiness.
Verify security awareness and adequate training for personnel responsible for the security of ships, terminals, ports, shore excursions, and island resorts, fostering a service-minded, culturally aware, and customer-focused security culture.
Coordinate with the segment Emergency Management Coordinator to develop and execute a rigorous company-wide emergency preparedness exercise program, including drills, exercises, and audits across all ports and ships in the fleet.
Develop annual budgets, training programs, and staffing requirements for the security organization, optimizing resources while maintaining high standards of safety and guest experience.
Maintain and update prohibited versus restricted items lists based on industry standards and establish communication protocols for changes in security levels and other critical security information.
Verify a coordinated security posture among port facility security officers, ship security officers, Legal, Human Resources, and other stakeholders, ensuring compliance with all regulatory and industry security requirements domestically and internationally.
Provide strategic leadership across multiple specialties and departments, inspiring individual and business success by clearly communicating the “why” behind decisions, defining expectations and priorities, and connecting teams to the big picture of Disney Cruise Line and Disney Experiences.
Offer continuous coaching and feedback, develop self and others, support career aspirations, and create an environment where Disney values are experienced through care, compassion, creative problem solving, and ensuring every voice is heard.

Required Qualifications:

Experience working in domestic and international environments or in close partnership with international stakeholders to achieve common security objectives.
Minimum 10 years of relevant experience with 5+ years in management roles of increasing responsibility
Experience providing technical security expertise, including risk assessment and cost-effective delivery of essential physical and operational security services.
Demonstrated track record of partnering and developing consensus within diverse operational environments and organizational groups.
Proven ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization, including briefing executive management and senior leadership on security risks and recommendations.
Excellent conceptual and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and strategic orientation with the ability to perform tactically when required.
Demonstrated ability to identify, analyze, and evaluate information and communicate accurate, timely recommendations on business and security-related risks.
Ability to develop security strategies keyed to likely risks in collaboration with stakeholders, including for complex travel, cruise, and resort environments.
Proven track record of leading, managing, and developing employees, including senior managers and managers across multiple specialties and locations.
Strong ability to think strategically, ensure accountability, and plan and prioritize work aligned with organizational goals, inspiring ownership for outcomes and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and Disney values.
Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Significant experience in high-level law enforcement or corporate security roles overseeing complex international investigations, leveraging intelligence and threat assessments to anticipate, evaluate, and mitigate risk, and leading crisis management on a domestic and international scale.
Experience within law enforcement, public sector security, intelligence, insider threat, crisis management, related private sector security organizations or in the maritime industry, particularly in cruise or port security operations
Advanced degree, preferably in international studies, homeland security, governmental relations, criminal justice, juris doctorate, intelligence analysis, and/or crisis management.

The hiring range for this position in Florida is $176,700 - $236,900 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

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Director, DCL Security