Director - Global Aviation Security

United Airlines
Chicago, IL
Achieving our goals starts with supporting yours. Grow your career, access top-tier health and wellness benefits, build lasting connections with your team and our customers, and travel the world using our extensive route network.


Come join us to create what’s next. Let’s define tomorrow, together.

Description

From airports to boardrooms, our Legal team provides advice and counsel on all aspects of the business, assessing legal risks and compliance, while our Ethics and Compliance team ensures that we run an ethically sound operation. Together, these teams help us make the best possible decisions for our airline, to run our business with integrity, ensuring our airline operates lawfully and ethically, creating a company we are all proud to work for.

Job overview and responsibilities

Direct, oversee, develop, and manage a large aviation security team that: (1) anticipates and assesses worldwide threats and geopolitical activity that could disrupt or impact aviation; (2) conducts security risk assessments of our operations and policies; (3) conducts security audits of our operations worldwide and ensures compliance with U.S. and foreign security regulations and company policy related to security; and (4) advises our operations on security-related events and policies in real-time through a 24-hour/7-day-a-week desk in the Network Operations Center. Manage key operational relationships with the FBI, CIA, NCTC and Department of Homeland Security – particularly the Transportation Security Administration – to further our operations, initiatives, goals, and interests while advocating for United’s employees and customers

  • Lead and manage the global aviation security team, which includes employees at headquarters, the Network Operations Center, and at airports in both the United States and foreign countries.

  • Advocate for policy changes to improve the security of United’s operations and further the interests of our employees and passengers – including through participation in industry groups (e.g., Airlines for America).

  • Serve as the Company's aviation security policy expert to advise and assess the Company's compliance with security requirements – including both passenger and cargo operations.

  • Interpret geopolitical assessments and analyses to identify high-risk areas that may require additional caution or policy changes. Serve as Company’s advocate with government agencies (FBI, CIA, NCTC, etc.)

  • Oversee security risk assessments of our operations and policies.


Qualifications

What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):

  • The successful candidate must have or be able to obtain a DoD Secret clearance.
  • 10+ years of experience implementing and executing aviation security policies, programs, and procedures at an air carrier (or equivalent experience)
  • 5+ years’ experience leading others
  • Knowledge of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) its regulations, and the international equivalent regulations / IATA security standards / ICAO Annex 9
  • Knowledge of airport and airline operations
  • Diplomacy in dealing with regulators / strategy development / communication with senior level leadership
  • Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship
  • Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification
  • Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position


  • This role is based in Chicago and follows a hybrid work schedule


What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):

  • Master's degree
  • 5 years’ experience in airport operations
  • 3 years’ experience interacting with Transportation Security Administration at an international airport or at an enterprise level
The base pay range for this role is $159,790.00 to $207,998.00.
The base salary range/hourly rate listed is dependent on job-related, factors such as experience, education, and skills. This position is also eligible for bonus and/or long-term incentive compensation awards.


You may be eligible for the following competitive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability, parental leave, employee assistance program, commuter, paid holidays, paid time off, 401(k) and flight privileges.


United Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation, contact [email protected]
Posted 2026-03-23

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