EXECUTIVE PROTECTION LEAD AGENT
Job Description
Location
Los Angeles, CA (Greater Southern California Area)
Classification
Full-Time | Exempt | Salary
Compensation
$150,000 - $180,000 per year, commensurate with experience
Reports To
Director of Executive Protection / VP of Corporate Security
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Executive Protection Lead Agent serves as the primary on-site leader responsible for maintaining operational standards, ensuring mission readiness, and delivering high-quality protective services in dynamic environments. This role combines hands-on executive protection responsibilities with operational leadership, personnel coordination, scheduling oversight, and client relationship management. The Lead Agent is crucial in overseeing day-to-day operations for a high-profile client in the Los Angeles area while managing a team under pressure.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership & Team Management
• Lead, mentor, and supervise executive protection personnel assigned to the detail, fostering team cohesion and addressing issues in a fair and transparent manner.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the client, agents, and company leadership, engaging routinely with the client and staff in a professional, polite, and appropriate manner.
• Conduct briefings, debriefings, and operational coordination meetings, planning and preparing the team for client movements prior to departure.
• Assist with recruiting, onboarding, and training new personnel, conducting and assessing continuous training with the Close Protection Detail Team.
• Ensure the performance and discipline of assigned personnel to prescribed standards and report poor performance to management.
Executive Protection Operations
• Provide executive protection services during domestic and international assignments, directing and coordinating actions of the assigned team during all client movements.
• Conduct local area advances, route assessments, venue reviews, and contingency planning; brief key executives and their staff on safety and security protocols for travel, hotels, and event venues.
• Coordinate protective movements, transportation logistics, and emergency response planning with executive support staff, contract security personnel, event planners, and law enforcement personnel.
• Maintain situational awareness and identify potential vulnerabilities or threats, reviewing and concluding on pertinent data from intelligence reports regarding the threat environment.
• Act as a first responder to any emergencies or suspicious activities, responding appropriately to emergencies, medical incidents, and evolving security concerns.
• De-escalate tense situations while maintaining professionalism and discretion, ensuring client safety, comfort, confidentiality, and operational continuity at all times.
Administrative & Operational Responsibilities
• Prepare mission plans, incident reports, expense reports, and after-action documentation, reporting all incidents, accidents, or emergencies as required.
• Communicate operational updates, vulnerabilities, and concerns to leadership promptly.
• Oversee operational equipment, communications systems, and vehicle readiness.
• Identify operational deficiencies and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Ensure compliance with all licensing, reporting, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor and use intrusion detection and CCTV systems, building and managing a portfolio of ongoing risks.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Experience & Education
• Minimum of 5years of executive protection experience with demonstrated leadership or supervisory experience.
• Experience managing teams, schedules, and operational logistics in a client-facing environment.
• Background in corporate executive protection, federal law enforcement is highly preferred.
• International executive protection experience is preferred.
• Relevant experience and training will be considered in lieu of formal education.
Certifications & Licenses
• California BSIS Security Guard Permit: Active and in good standing.
• California BSIS Exposed Firearms Permit: Active and in good standing.
• Carry Authorization: Valid California Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) permit, or active HR-218 / LEOSA credentials.
• EP Academy: Graduation from a recognized, accredited Executive Protection training program
• Driving: Evasive / tactical driving certification from a recognized program.
• Medical: Current CPR, AED, and First Aid certification (Adult, Child, and Infant).
• Travel Documents: Valid U.S. Passport with a minimum of 9months remaining validity.
• Driver's License: Valid California license with a clean driving record.
• Background: Must be at least 21 years of age and pass a comprehensive pre-employment background check, drug screening, and driving history review.
Skills & Competencies
• Advanced knowledge of protective operations, advance work, surveillance detection, and contingency planning.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and decision-making skills with the ability to exercise sound operational judgment and adapt to shifting priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills across phone, email, and radio; second language proficiency is preferred.
• Ability to maintain composure and professionalism in high-pressure environments while providing outstanding client service.
• Demonstrated experience operating in corporate, residential, event, and international travel environments.
• Defensive driving tactics training and experience.
• Proficiency with personal computers and working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, and Excel).
• Exceptional emotional intelligence, discretion, and the ability to operate seamlessly in luxury, entertainment, and high-profile social settings.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The role requires 24/7 operational availability while assigned to a task, with flexible availability including holidays, nights, and weekends, and the potential for domestic and international travel. The physical and mental capability to perform duties in dynamic and high-stress environments is necessary, including extended periods of standing, walking, sitting, and driving. The Lead Agent must be physically fit, presentable, and able to maintain high alertness during long operational hours, operating in outdoor environments, carrying authorized protective equipment, and making rapid decisions during emergencies.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The base salary range for this position is $150,000 - $180,000 per year, commensurate with experience, certifications, and prior detail leadership history. In accordance with California SB 1162 (Pay Transparency Law), this range reflects the full compensation band for this role at time of posting.
• Medical, Dental & Vision: 100% employer-paid coverage for the employee.
• Training Allowance: Annual paid budget for advanced tactical, medical, and EP training.
• Paid Time Off: Competitive PTO accrual and paid holidays.
• Performance Bonus: Discretionary annual bonus based on performance review.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status. We actively encourage applications from veterans and transitioning military personnel. California applicants: criminal history will be considered in accordance with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO) and all applicable state and local fair chance laws.