Job Specifications
A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with 48 offices in 28 countries worldwide.
Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world's most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.
We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world's leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.
Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to an inclusive environment, and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.
What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.
Department Purpose and Structure
A&O Shearman's global support function, Business Services & Office Operations - a multidisciplinary department that is integral to the seamless operation of our firm. We deliver greater consistency across the global network in supporting the firm's success by providing a truly global offering to our clients. Our dedicated teams work together to ensure that the firm operates at peak efficiency, providing the necessary foundation for our legal and business teams to excel. Each of these teams plays a vital role in our collective success, and their collaborative efforts reflect the strength of our firm.
Role Purpose
The Americas Director of Security holds strategic responsibility for architecting and governing an advanced, risk-centric security framework across the firm's operations in the Americas. This senior leadership position encompasses oversight of regional and cross-border risk assessments, the formulation of high-level security policies, and the stewardship of comprehensive protection for office infrastructure, personnel, and physical assets, with an unwavering focus on safeguarding sensitive client information stored within firm premises.
Operating at the forefront of threat intelligence and security innovation, the role demands authoritative evaluation and mitigation of risks facing local and regional offices, including both physical and security of information aspects while delivering visionary guidance and clear direction in response to complex security challenges. The Americas Director of Security forges strong, trusted relationships with senior Partners and global leadership, collaborating across multiple jurisdictions and ensuring the highest standards of credibility and expertise are maintained.
Integral to this remit is rigorous analysis of the impact of evolving local and international legislation, guaranteeing the firm's security practices not only comply with all relevant regulations but also anticipate future requirements. Through partnership with a global network of security professionals, the Americas Director of Security advances consistent, world-class standards for physical and personnel security, directing regional offices through comprehensive audits, strategic consultation, and the establishment of robust security system specifications.
As a senior member of the firm's global security team, the Americas Director of Security is instrumental in delivering seamless 'follow the sun' capability for incident response and operational continuity. This ensures that security events, incidents, and crises are managed proactively and effectively around the clock, leveraging global resources and intelligence to safeguard the firm and its clients in every time zone.
Role and Responsibilities
Provide executive leadership and strategic oversight for the firm's response to security events, incidents, and crises across the Americas, ensuring robust contingency planning and seamless integration with global security operations.
Interface regularly with Chief Real Estate & Office Operations Officer - Americas to collaborate on office activities, requirements, and overall security posture as it relates to both Partner and Staff needs as well as local security related events.
Lead the strategic transition to a new security model across the Americas region, ensuring operational efficiency and uncompromising protection of personnel, physical assets, and sensitive client information. Direct cross-functional project teams, oversee change management activities, and establish key performance indicators to measure success, while maintaining alignment with global security standards and providing executive-level guidance to senior leadership throughout the transformation.
Direct the continuous monitoring and evaluation of global threat landscapes, advising s
About the Company
A&O Shearman transforms the way law is practiced, to deliver unparalleled results for our clients' most complex matters - everywhere in the world. We're a law firm at the forefront of the forces changing the current of global business: energy transition, life sciences, technology, private capital, finance and beyond. Fluent in U.S. law, English law, and the laws of the world's most dynamic markets in equal measure, we support our clients with bespoke teams of expert minds. Ready to provide unmatched insight and seamless deli...
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