Job description
With over 50 years of experience, we work alongside investors, advisors, developers, project managers, designers, and infrastructure owners and operators to help our clients grow and thrive in the built environment and infrastructure sector.
Our experts bring deep insight across market intelligence, regulatory compliance, and the design and delivery of integrated security and resilience programs. We’ve partnered with some of the world’s largest organizations in real estate, infrastructure, and urban development to address critical business challenges and shape secure, future-ready environments.
We are now seeking a highly experienced and visionary Principal for Built Environment and Infrastructure(BE&I) to lead and expand our Americas practice, positioning Control Risks as the trusted leader in this space. This pivotal role will ensure our clients’ developments and infrastructure are secure, resilient, and aligned with international best practices and regulatory standards. The successful candidate will also serve as a strategic advisor on high-profile projects as required.
The ideal candidate will be a recognized subject matter expert in:
- Strategic security planning and program development as part of multi-disciplinary design teams
- Spatial planning, including the application of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), and other relevant principles
- Security master planning
- Security design and engineering, including protective design and technical assurance
- Fire and Life Safety (FLS) strategy and integration
- Site security surveys and risk assessments
- Systems integration, including Security Operations Centers (SOCs) and technology platforms
They will also have a proven track record of leading teams to deliver strategic security outcomes in complex, fast-paced, and multidisciplinary environments.
Role tasks and responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- As part of the global BE&I practice senior leadership team, lead the development and execution of security risk management strategies in the Americas across a diverse portfolio of built environment and infrastructure projects, in line with the Control Risks global strategy and plans
- Provide expert guidance on embedding security principles into urban design, architecture, and infrastructure planning.
- Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of specialists, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
- Shape and grow the Americas practice, aligning team capabilities with market needs and strategic priorities.
Technical Assurance & Compliance
- Oversee technical assurance and conformance reviews to ensure alignment with international standards (e.g., ISO, BSI, NFPA, UN-Habitat).
- Develop and maintain a robust framework for audits, assessments, and continuous improvement across the project lifecycle.
- Ensure quality and consistency in the delivery of security, fire and life safety (FLS), and resilience solutions.
Security Master Planning
- Direct the development and implementation of comprehensive security masterplans for major developments and regeneration initiatives.
- Collaborate with urban planners, architects, engineers, and end users to integrate security into every stage of the design and delivery process.
CPTED & Spatial Risk Analysis
- Direct/apply CPTED principles to enhance safety and reduce crime risks through environmental and spatial design.
- Direct/conduct spatial risk assessments and scenario planning to inform strategic design and operational decisions.
Business Development
- Drive strategic growth in the built environment and infrastructure security sector by identifying new markets, clients, and partnership opportunities.
- Shape and promote Control Risks’ market positioning and value proposition in urban and infrastructure security risk management.
- Lead the development of compelling proposals and presentations for major consultancy and assurance projects, delivering innovative and effective solutions.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as the senior point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies, regulatory bodies, and design teams.
- Represent Control Risks at industry forums, working groups, and international conferences, enhancing visibility and influence.
Innovation & Best Practice
- Stay ahead of emerging threats, technologies, and methodologies in the security and built environment sectors.
- Champion innovation through research, pilot projects, and knowledge sharing, ensuring our solutions remain cutting-edge and future-ready.
Qualifications and specialist skills
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in, Urban Planning, Architecture, Engineering, or a related field. Master’s degree in appropriate discipline preferred.
- Minimum 12–15 years of experience in security risk management within the built environment, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
- Deep expertise in CPTED, security master planning, and spatial planning.
- Strong knowledge of international security standards and regulatory frameworks.
- Demonstrated experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and managing complex projects.
- Professional certifications such as CPP, PSP, or equivalent are highly desirable.
- Ability to travel frequently
Competencies
Solutions focused
- Owns problems, identifies and works with the right people to solve problems quickly within own remit and wider teams
- Reviews and looks for efficiencies in ways of working
- Constantly seeks innovative ways to improve the services we offer to our clients
- Is prepared to make decisions and effectively implement those decisions
- Translates decisions into effective actions and implements these
- Acts decisively and makes difficult decisions even if unpopular
- Implements plans to ensure objectives are achieved or exceeded; focuses on delivery
- Shows and encourages a determination to achieve high standards
Client centric
- Uses own and wider knowledge and contributes to others to enable and make sound judgements that impact the client and team
- Anticipates client needs and addresses these
- Provides the best possible service to clients, ensuring the client is at the heart of everything we do
One firm
- Uses own knowledge and experience to make sounds judgements or assist others with sound judgement.
- Play an integral role in promoting, building and developing Control Risks’ portfolio of clients in the Build Environment & Infrastructure sector.
- Develop a deep understanding of client requirements and the breadth of Control Risks’ products and service offering, to be able to match clients’ needs to relevant bespoke or standardized solutions
One Firm
- Builds strong relationships, through common goals, individual contribution and support in times of need
- Considers the regional and global implications of what we do in our own areas of responsibility or team/ department
Commercial acumen
- Understands how and where own activities and projects contribute to the financial success of organization; understands and acts upon the financial factors that influence the business
Personal effectiveness
- Operates effectively and with resilience in changing or ambiguous situations, contributes to changing environments, and actively assists those around them to adapt
- Communicates clearly and concisely using language appropriate to audience
- Displays sensitivity to develop constructive relationships with others
- Plans and organizes workload of own and others, and suggests priorities as necessary
Behaviors
- All employees are expected to display behaviors reflective of our company values: Integrity and Ethics, Collaboration and Teamwork, Commitment to People and Professionalism and Excellence.
The base salary range for this position in Washington DC, Chicago, and Houston is $200,000-$220,000 per year. The base salary range for this position in San Francisco and New York is $215,000-$240,000 per year. Exact compensation offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Control Risks is committed to a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status. If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made in order to participate fully in the interview process, please let us know and we will be happy to accommodate your needs.
Control Risks participates in the E-Verify program to confirm employment authorization of all newly hired employees. The E-Verify process is completed during new hire onboarding and completion of the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, at the start of employment. E-Verify is not used as a tool to pre-screen candidates. For more information on E-Verify, please visit www.uscis.gov.
- Control Risks offers a competitively positioned compensation and benefits package that is transparent and summarized in the full job offer.
- Control Risks supports hybrid working arrangements, wherever possible, that emphasize the value of in-person time together - in the office and with our clients - while continuing to support flexible and remote working.
- Medical Benefits, Prescription Benefits, FSA, Dental Benefits, Vision Benefits, Life and AD&D, Voluntary Life and AD&D, Disability Benefits, Voluntary Benefits, 401 (K) Retirement, Nationwide Pet Insurance, Employee Assistance Program.
- As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us and are fully committed to equal treatment, free from discrimination, of all candidates throughout our recruitment process.
