Director, DCL Security

About the role

This leadership role oversees the full security program for Disney Cruise Line across ships, terminals, and island resort locations. The position is responsible for creating and sustaining a secure environment for guests, crew, and cast members while supporting Disney’s standards and delivering a high-quality vacation experience within Disney Experiences.

What you will do

You will lead security operations across multiple specialties, set the direction for the function, and work closely with shipboard and shoreside teams to keep people, assets, and the brand protected. The role includes building strategies and business plans, supervising senior leaders and managers, and ensuring the program remains compliant, practical, and guest-centric.

• Direct the entire Disney Cruise Line security program for vessels, terminals, and island resorts, serving as the Company Security Officer and maintaining security across the organization.
• Set the objectives, priorities, and long-term plan for Security Operations so they align with broader Disney Experiences and Disney Cruise Line goals.
• Manage investigations involving criminal activity, injuries, and policy breaches across the business, coordinating closely with Legal and Human Resources.
• Confirm that security assessments for ships, ports, terminals, shore excursions, and resorts are properly documented, reviewed, accepted, and retained according to ISPS and other applicable requirements.
• Ensure ship and port security plans are created, approved, implemented, updated, and corrected when gaps or deficiencies are found.
• Guide Port Facility Security Officers and ship security officers in monitoring plan effectiveness through audits, drills, exercises, and ongoing improvements to physical and operational security.
• Maintain complete records for threats, incidents, training drills, breaches, security-level changes, communications, audits, plan reviews, amendments, and equipment testing and maintenance.
• Work with Technical teams to review ship and port security systems and equipment, confirming they are tested and functioning as required.
• Make sure personnel responsible for security across ships, terminals, ports, shore excursions, and island resorts receive the awareness and training they need.
• Partner with the Emergency Management Coordinator to design and run a company-wide preparedness exercise program across the fleet and all ports.
• Build annual budgets, training plans, and staffing forecasts for the security organization.
• Keep prohibited and restricted items lists current and establish how critical security changes and updates are communicated.
• Support a coordinated security approach across security officers, Legal, Human Resources, and other stakeholders so domestic and international regulatory expectations are met.
• Lead with clarity and purpose, help teams understand the reasoning behind decisions, set expectations, and connect day-to-day work to the wider business strategy.
• Coach and develop team members, support career growth, and foster a workplace shaped by Disney values, care, compassion, creative problem solving, and inclusive communication.

Required qualifications

The company is looking for a senior security leader with deep experience in complex operational environments, strong judgment, and the ability to guide large teams and partner groups.

• Background working in domestic and international settings, or in close collaboration with international stakeholders, to achieve shared security goals.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience, including 5 or more years in management positions with increasing responsibility.
• Experience delivering technical security expertise, including risk assessments and cost-conscious physical and operational security solutions.
• Proven ability to build consensus and work effectively across varied operational teams and organizational groups.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to brief executive and senior leadership clearly on risks and recommended actions.
• Excellent analytical, conceptual, and critical thinking abilities, along with sound judgment and a strategic mindset.
• Ability to identify, assess, and communicate business and security risks accurately and in a timely manner.
• Experience shaping security strategies for likely risks in complex travel, cruise, and resort settings.
• Demonstrated success in leading, managing, and developing employees, including senior managers and managers across multiple locations and specialties.
• Strong planning, prioritization, accountability, and strategic execution skills with a focus on continuous improvement and Disney values.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required.

Preferred qualifications

• Extensive experience in senior law enforcement or corporate security roles involving complex international investigations, intelligence use, threat assessment, and crisis response.
• Experience in law enforcement, public-sector security, intelligence, insider threat, crisis management, related private-sector security organizations, or maritime/cruise/port security.
• Advanced degree in international studies, homeland security, governmental relations, criminal justice, juris doctorate, intelligence analysis, or crisis management.

Compensation and benefits

The hiring range for this role in Florida is $176,700 to $236,900 per year. Final base pay may vary based on internal equity, geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be included along with medical, financial, and other benefits depending on the level and position offered.