Manager, Operations Center (Safety and Security)

WCK seeks a Operations Center Manager to lead WCK’s Security Operations Center which provides 24/7 situational awareness, incident and crisis management response, and real-time support to teams around the world. The Safety and Security team at World Central Kitchen (WCK) exists to help WCK’s teams around the world operate safely and securely by developing programs to enhance activations, operations, events, and personnel and by providing real time crisis management support to teams encountering critical incidents on the ground.

This newly created position will also oversee the Safety and Security logistical hub for WCK by using integrated databases to monitor world events and ongoing WCK incidents and operations, to identify and address logistical needs, mitigate threats and coordinate emergency response during times of crisis. The Ops Center will record incidents, collaborate on tasks and monitor and follow up on the resolution of these incidents.

This position may require frequent travel, including internationally, up to several weeks at a time to activation areas. This position is intended to be hybrid, based in Washington DC, with at least 3 days on-site per week when not traveling.

This position reports to the Chief Security Officer, will work in close collaboration with the Director/VP of Safety and Security, and coordinate support and assistance with the key Global Functional Teams and others as required.

Key Responsibilities:
Operations Center

• Plan and oversee the selection, layout, set up, and move of the Operations Center
• Develop and maintain operational processes, procedures, products and metrics for efficient operation
• Create personnel policies and address personnel issues as needed for those working in the Ops Center
• Research and work within software programs used to support operational processes such as Kaseware (or similar case management tool), emergency staff notification, crisis management, etc
• Respond promptly and effectively to requests for emergency assistance
• Maintain situational awareness of world affairs and the global threat landscape as affected by political developments, warfare, crime, terrorism and natural disasters
• Support development, population and rollout of a case management system
• Disseminate a Daily Operations Summary and the Daily News Brief to WCK leadership
• On call 24/7 as the primary Watch Officer whenever the Ops Center is not fully staffed
• Disseminate timely threat-related information to Activation leadership and Security staff globally
• Continually research and test new tools and technologies for utility for the Ops Center
• Maintain up-to-date records for HQ and Field locations globally
• Coordinate and collaborate with Operations Centers in the field
• Prioritize and coordinate the activities of the Ops Center with other stakeholders such as the Cybersecurity Analyst who may be co-located within the Security Operations Center

Crisis Response and Case Management

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of incident management
• Perform on-call duty 24/7 to respond to Crisis Hotline calls and take appropriate actions to escalate crisis response
• Manage timely HQ and global responses to incident reports, providing appropriate guidance and follow up for teams as needed
• Serve on Crisis Response Team to coordinate organization-wide responses for ongoing crises
• Protect and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information

Process Improvement and Training

• Conduct needs assessments and capacity planning
• Identify and resolve problems
• Develop, implement and document trainings for staff and testing of critical systems
• Develop and maintain best practice processes and vendor selection
• Validate completion of system checks and work orders to correct deficiencies
• Maintain knowledge of security systems and of regulation requirements for operations

Security Strategy Management

• Develop long- and short-term strategic plans for the Safety and Security team with collaboration from other departmental teams as appropriate.
• Assist Security staff members with developing and implementing annual work plans
• Develop innovative projects and concept designs to maximize efficiencies Safety and Security program implementation.
• Assist with incorporation of global travel functions into the Safety and Security team, working with other teams and departmental stakeholders as appropriate
• Responsible for the drafting, release, and selection of vendors for Global Security team priorities based on RFPs/RFQs and other relevant procurement mechanisms
• Design and validate team Safety and Security strategies and policies, with the support of departmental Directors and other subject-matter experts
• Assist team members with the design and execution of team personal development plans.

Security Operations and Project Management

• Manage the Safety and Security team budget, to include forecasting, projections, expenditure tracking, and necessary approvals.
• Create and implement the Safety and Security team’s work plan, internal communications, priorities, and key performance indicators, ensuring that the Safety and Security team translates strategic priorities into operational results.
• Lead and manage Safety and Security team project management, ensuring the efficient execution of staff work plans, business processes, policy and procedure rollouts, and corresponding internal communication.
• Manage the Security team’s internal communications footprint, to include digital information sites (eg SharePoint).
• Manage the Security team shared resources, including oversight and implementation of security trips to the field offices, trainings, etc.
• Lead Security team internal collaboration initiatives, with Finance, Internal Communication, Strategy and Execution, and other cross-cutting teams.

Crisis Management

• Monitors national and regional security incident reporting and ensure appropriate dissemination of information during emergencies
• Act as the Safety and Security lead and evaluator in crisis management drills for Senior Leadership Team
• Supports the organization with expert incident response, reporting and post-incident action and follow-up
• Conducts regular drills and scenario exercises to build incident response capacities in the field
• Lends expertise during and after incidents, to include leading lessons learned and after-action review processes.
• Provide expert guidance in response to incident/crisis events to mitigate the impact of events and improve future preparedness.

Travel Related Support

• Oversee and manage the ISOS Travel Tracker tool which tracks all WCK travelers
• Deliver security briefings verbally or electronically for staff traveling overseas
• Collect and maintain travel security documents for all staff
• Work with HR to ensure that WCK’s insurance meets the needs of our travelers

Other Duties
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities for the position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. All positions are required to perform any additional tasks assigned by the supervisor.

This application requires a cover letter that explains your interest in this position and in working for WCK. Applications without a letter will not be considered. Please apply early as we will consider applications on a rolling basis and may stop accepting new applications without notice.

References and Background Checks
To help ensure the safety of our communities and our teams, our selection process will include reference and background checks, subject to any legal or regulatory requirements.

Equal Opportunity
WCK is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusion and diversity and to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristics.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment at this time.

E-Verify
For US based employment, WCK participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. Please view the E-Verify posters here with important information.

Para empleados en los EEUU, WCK participa en E-Verify y proporcionará al gobierno federal la información de su Formulario I-9 para confirmar que usted está autorizado para trabajar en los EE.UU.. Los empleadores sólo pueden utilizar E-Verify una vez que usted haya aceptado una oferta de trabajo y completado el Formulario I-9. Haz clic aquí para ver los carteles de E-Verify con información importante.

No recruiters or agencies, please.

Requirements

• Minimum 7 years’ relevant work experience in Operations Centers, government, public safety or emergency preparedness fields
• Knowledge of global geography and country-specific issues relevant to safety and security
• Expertise in analysis of security threats, risks and vulnerability
• Demonstrated capacity to rapidly analyze emerging on-the-ground scenarios from a lens of security and risk management to make assessments on traveler and operational security
• Effective and professional communication skills that demonstrate tact and cultural sensitivity while ensuring security protocols are upheld
• Significant experience in the development and delivery of relevant training
• The ability to travel immediately and directly to support emergency relief activities in person
• Schedule flexibility to work extended hours and to account for time zone differences
• Developed organizational, time management, and administrative skills
• Familiar with relevant software and tools such as AirTable, Tableau, Google Apps, and others
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrate resilience while working in adverse, dynamic conditions
• Ability to work independently with minimal infrastructure and resources
• Experience in crisis management preferred
• Valid passport
• Valid driver’s license
• Must be legally authorized to work in the US without visa sponsorship now and in the future

Benefits

WCK offers competitive compensation and great benefits including:

• Zero premium medical, dental, and vision plans including for dependents within 30 days
• 403(b) retirement account with 50% match up to 8% of employee salary deferrals within 30 days
• 100% employer-sponsored group life and disability insurance within 30 days
• Responsible Paid Time Off which includes vacation, sick, and personal leave plus paid holidays
• Growth opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Annual salary reviews and other benefits as detailed in the Personnel Manual