Event Security Specialist

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As an Event Security Specialist, you will develop, lead, and implement security plans and logistics for global events. Creativity, planning, problem-solving, and the ability to navigate budget implications will ensure that the department provides appropriate and scalable security resources across a wide range of events. Your coordination with partners will maintain the safety of NBA staff, vendors, guests, players, and fans. Additionally, you will conduct investigations relating to on-court issues and operations supporting league games.

You are a results-oriented team member with experience in personal and physical security strategies and investigative skills. You have a strong work ethic, and we encourage and support ambitious self-starters with strong social skills and the ability to work cohesively. We expect you to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and sensitivity while positively engaging with various partners. You also embody the league's core values of integrity, teamwork, respect, and innovation.

We are a nimble organization and look for leaders with a player-coach mindset and a willingness to roll up their sleeves and dig into the details. We advocate for those collaborating on contemporary ideas when building new innovative processes and strengthening existing protocols. This role is for a creative individual passionate about navigating the future with us.

In addition to core responsibilities, you may lead or support key security focus areas based on organizational priorities. These may include league-specific security operations, international market leadership, or department-wide strategic initiatives. Focus areas are dynamic and may evolve over time.

Major Responsibilities:

Event Security Specialist

• Build and execute security plans for various global events with internal and external resources.
• Identify event vulnerabilities and develop analytical feedback and actionable strategies through critical thinking regarding security needs in challenging and emerging markets.
• Create effective staffing and risk mitigation strategies to ensure effective security protocols and contingency plans are in place.
• Manage budgets to provide scalable resources across multiple events.
• Build a network of vendors who fully comply with national and international laws and regulations, professional standards, accepted business practices, and internal standards.
• Conduct periodic reviews and cost-benefit analyses to identify event staffing efficiencies and provide senior executives with valuable insight that improves business planning and future strategic initiatives.
• Implement department standard methodologies and incorporate innovative protocols that improve overall planning processes in a fast-paced environment.
• Oversee assessments and review security planning documents for events globally.
• Develop proficiencies and security standards that are aligned with industry benchmarks.
• Conduct investigations involving game incidents, players, staff, and others as necessary and directed.
• Participate in the security planning and on-site management of security at selected events, including league games, playoffs and finals, All-Star events, global games, drafts, and other special events.

Strategic Portfolio Leadership

• Lead and manage assigned security focus areas, which may include league operations, international regions, or department-wide initiatives.
• Serve as a primary liaison with internal stakeholders, external partners, and law enforcement or security agencies relevant to assigned focus areas.
• Ensure proactive and preventative security measures and contingency planning are integrated into broader business and event planning processes.
• Conduct assessments, analysis, and planning for events, programs, or markets within assigned areas of responsibility.
• Support and execute special projects, investigations, and cross-functional initiatives across the Event Security function.
• Communicate effectively with senior leadership on key risks, initiatives, and findings.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of security protocols, standards, and strategic initiatives across the organization.

Required Education/Professional Experience

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required. An advanced degree is desirable.
• Minimum of 10 years of previous relevant experience in global event security planning and a thorough grasp of crowd control and management strategies.
• Minimum of 10 years of law enforcement experience.
• Formal education/training in security-related matters is a plus (i.e., ASIS, CPP)

Required Skills/Knowledge Attributes

• Prior experience with security and special event planning, threat assessment/risk analysis, and a thorough grasp of crowd control/management strategies.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills to prepare clear, comprehensive, and significant briefings and reports.
• Ability to identify, establish, and maintain positive, constructive working relationships with business groups, law enforcement, and intelligence contacts; and must have a global network of security contacts.
• Ability to multi-task while maintaining attention to detail.
• You have experience in mentorship and developing internal and external team members.
• Confirmed knowledge and proficiency with various computer applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint) and ability to learn bespoke League applications.
• Flexibility to travel as needed (both scheduled and for unplanned critical incident management); willingness to work flexible off hours.
• Ability to organize data and prepare detailed reports of investigative findings.
• Strong background in intelligence gathering, including familiarity with and use of online resources, investigative databases, subscription services, and public record checks.
• Ability to maintain extreme confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Proven expertise in conducting complex and varied criminal investigations.
• Ability to establish and maintain excellent working relationships with internal business groups, law enforcement contacts, and security services.
• Great communicator and solid project manager, able to effectively prioritize and advance many projects happening simultaneously, often on tight deadlines
• Strategic thinker with a service attitude, constantly working towards satisfying the needs of our constituents.

Salary Range:

$190,000-$210,000

Job Posting Title:

Employees currently are eligible to receive an annual discretionary performance bonus, awarded at the sole discretion of the Company and subject to any terms and conditions set by the Company. Employees and/or eligible dependents may be eligible to participate in the following Company-sponsored employee benefit programs: medical; dental; vision; life/AD&D insurance; short- and long-term disability; fertility and family-forming assistance; wellbeing allowance; educational assistance; mental health coaching/therapy; tax advantaged accounts such as HSA and healthcare/dependent care FSAs; a 401(k) retirement plan; and time off benefits that include vacation, sick time, and personal days.

We Consider Applicants For All Positions On The Basis Of Merit, Qualifications And Business Needs, And Without Regard To Race, Color, National Origin, Religion, Sex, Gender Identity, Age, Disability, Alienage Or Citizenship Status, Ancestry, Marital Status, Creed, Genetic Predisposition Or Carrier Status, Sexual Orientation, Veteran Status, Familial Status, Status As A Victim Of Domestic Violence Or Any Other Status Or Characteristic Protected By Applicable Federal, State, Or Local Law.

The NBA is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace. To safeguard our employees and their families, our visitors, and the broader community from COVID-19, and in consideration of recommendations from health authorities and the NBA’s own advisors, any individual working onsite in our New York and New Jersey offices must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The NBA will discuss accommodations for individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.

About the NBA

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in 60 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2024-25 season featured a record-tying 125 international players from a record-tying 43 countries. NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.3 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms. NBA Cares, the NBA’s global social responsibility platform, partners with renowned community-based organizations around the world to address important social issues in the areas of education, inclusion, youth and family development, and health and wellness.