City/State

Virginia Beach, VA

Work Shift

First (Days)

Overview:

The Director of Security, Ambulatory Services – Armed oversees security operations of the Ambulatory Division, including clinics, therapy centers, urgent care centers, home care, and other non-acute care settings. This position ensures the safety and protection of patients, staff, visitors, and property through strategic planning, risk assessment, policy enforcement, and direct supervision of armed and unarmed security personnel.

Works closely with clinical and administrative leadership, the Director develops and enforces security policies, manages security technology systems (e.g., access control, CCTV), and leads investigations into incidents involving workplace violence, theft, or suspicious behavior. This role demands a high level of professionalism, sound judgment under pressure, and the ability to respond swiftly to high-risk situations, including potential active threats.

The Armed Director must maintain all required certifications and licensures to carry a firearm and demonstrate proficiency in crisis management, conflict de-escalation, and healthcare-specific threat mitigation. Strong leadership, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to compassionate service in a patient-centered environment are essential for success. 

This position will involve travel across Virginia and North Carolina.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree (Required)

Certification/Licensure

• Drivers License (Required)

Required Experience

• 5 years Security/Law Enforcement (Required)

• 5 years Leadership experience (Required)

Strongly Preferred Qualifications

• Proven Strategic Security Leadership: Demonstrated ability to design, build, and scale enterprise‑level security programs, with particular success leading complex, geographically dispersed ambulatory environments

• Exceptional Executive Presence: Trusted advisor to senior leadership with the credibility, communication skills, and judgment to engage effectively with executives, clinical leaders, and external partners

• Former senior‑level leadership experience in law enforcement or the military, bringing a disciplined, intelligence‑driven approach to risk mitigation, crisis management, and operational readiness

• Healthcare Security Experience (highly valued, not required): Background in healthcare security, hospital systems, or ambulatory care settings preferred, with a strong understanding of regulatory, clinical, and patient‑centered environments

• Change Agent and Program Builder: Track record of leading transformational initiatives, establishing governance structures, standardizing security operations, and advancing a mature, metrics‑driven security program

• Collaborative and Influential Leader: Ability to build strong partnerships across operations, facilities, clinical leadership, legal, HR, and public safety agencies to proactively address evolving security risks.

Sentara Health is an equal opportunity employer and prides itself on the diversity and inclusiveness of its close to an almost 30,000-member workforce. Diversity, inclusion, and belonging is a guiding principle of the organization to ensure its workforce reflects the communities it serves.

In support of our mission “to improve health every day,” this is a tobacco-free environment.

For positions that are available as remote work, Sentara Health employs associates in the following states:

Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.