Physical Security Manager

Cognizant Corporate is a global community united by a shared purpose: to make a meaningful impact. We are committed to excellence and driven by outcomes that matter. Collaboration is at the heart of how we work, and our forward-thinking mindset fuels continuous learning, innovation, and growth.

At Cognizant, careers transcend titles. We empower our people to think strategically, inspire others, and lead with purpose, always guided by our core values.

As a Manager, Physical Security, North America, you will lead the physical security program across the United States and Canada. You will be accountable for protecting Cognizant associates, visitors, facilities, assets, operations, and reputation through consistent standards, proactive risk management, reliable vendor performance, audit readiness, compliance oversight, and coordinated incident response.

You will be a key member of the CREWS organization, reporting to the Senior Director of CREWS and collaborating with Corporate Security, Global Workplace Services/CREWS, Legal, Human Resources, Business Units, SOACC, Facilities, Internal Audit, Compliance, Information Security, vendors, landlords, and law enforcement and emergency response agencies. You will have the autonomy to lead, innovate, and continuously improve regional physical security programs while upholding our commitment to quality and continuous learning.

• Lead the execution and continuous improvement of physical security programs, policies, standards, strategies, controls, and operations across North America. Support office openings, mergers and acquisitions, closures, relocations, renovations, special events, executive visits, travel and event security needs, and high-risk operations.
• Own and deploy the regional physical security governance framework. Establish measurable security controls, conduct risk-based assessments, maintain audit-ready documentation, and track findings, compliance gaps, exceptions, risk treatments, and corrective actions through closure.
• Manage regional guarding operations and oversee security vendors and integrators, including contracts, staffing models, training, service quality, performance, escalation practices, emergency response support, cost controls, onboarding, pricing reviews, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee access control, CCTV and video surveillance, intrusion detection, visitor management, badging, third-party alarm monitoring, and related physical security technologies in coordination with SOACC, IT, CREWS, and technology partners.
• Lead or support incident response, investigations, emergency management, workplace violence prevention, theft and loss response, threat escalation, crisis coordination, training and awareness, business continuity, resiliency, and other projects requiring physical security risk management.
• Develop and closely manage the regional annual OPEX and CAPEX budget and forecast. Prepare an annual executive-level program report covering budgets, operational improvements, risks and gaps, incidents, audits, vendor performance, and recommendations for the following year.
• Embrace our vibrant culture by striving for excellence, focusing on meaningful outcomes, and collaborating effectively. Prioritize quality, stay curious, commit to continuous learning, take ownership, and build strong relationships to support business strategy and impactful work.

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in corporate security, physical security, law enforcement, military, government, investigations, risk management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing physical security programs across multiple countries, cultures, regulatory environments, and facility types.
• Strong knowledge of physical security controls and technologies, including access control, CCTV and video surveillance, intrusion detection, visitor management, guard force operations, badging, and control room or SOACC coordination.
• Expertise in physical security risk assessments, vulnerability analysis, control testing, mitigation planning, documentation, and reporting.
• Working knowledge of governance, risk, and compliance practices, including audit evidence management, control ownership, policy compliance, remediation tracking, and executive reporting.
• Experience supporting internal audits, client audits, regulatory reviews, investigations, and corrective action plans.
• Proven leadership, vendor management,…