Chief Operating Officer Security Industry Association SIA

The security industry is an expanding and essential sector of the U.S. economy, with a total economic impact of $431 billion and supporting over 2 million jobs nationwide. The Security Industry Association (SIA) is the leading trade association for global security solution providers, with more than 1600 member companies dedicated to keeping people and critical infrastructure safe—including schools, government facilities, residential communities, ports, public transit systems, commercial enterprises, and places of worship. With increasing membership, a robust event portfolio, and new opportunities to help member companies learn, innovate, and do business together, SIA is entering its next phase of industry impact.

SIA is financially strong ($9.5 operating budget and $12M in reserves) with an innovative growth strategy. As Chief Operating Officer, you will drive that growth by ensuring staff have clear priorities, coordinated workflows, and shared systems that enable consistent planning, communication, and decision-making. Your work will enable SIA to scale programs that deliver value for members, identify and quickly act on new opportunities, and phase out initiatives that no longer produce results.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as second in command, you will oversee Learning & Development, Member Services, and Standards & Technology, leading three senior directors with a total team of approximately 9 staff. Early priorities include developing frameworks for evaluating training and certification programs, aligning strategy and execution across SIA's owned events, standardizing project management workflows, evaluating pricing structure, and building real-time performance dashboards for leadership and the board. You will also play a key role in systems modernization, including the selection and implementation of a new association management system (AMS) and event registration platform.

This is a high-impact role for a strategic, process-oriented leader who can bring structure to how work is planned and executed across teams, while taking a data-driven approach to evaluating programs and revenue opportunities.

How You'll Make an Impact

Your work will bolster SIA's ability to move strategic initiatives forward, anticipate member needs amid rapid advances in technology, and respond effectively to shifts in the security industry landscape. Key focus areas include :

Operational Leadership. Develop an operational strategy that moves teams quickly from plan to action. Provide internal management and coordination to ensure we consistently develop goals per the strategic plan and apply a data-driven approach to measure results and improve.

Process Optimization. Evaluate and streamline internal processes across Learning & Development, Member Services, and Standards & Technology. Develop and implement strategies to increase performance through workstream clarity, effectiveness, and efficiency.

Team Management. Evaluate the strengths and knowledge of teams and recommend effective team structures that will enable staff to do their best work. Oversee performance management procedures that align mission and business strategy with performance. Create professional growth opportunities for staff.

Program Evaluation. Develop a data-driven framework to evaluate the performance, relevance, and revenue potential of programs and member services. Establish criteria and reporting methods that inform decisions about whether to invest in, refine, or discontinue offerings.

Work Environment, Salary, and Benefits

This role offers a hybrid work environment with two days each week in our Silver Spring, MD, office. Travel up to 20% is required to attend events and meetings.

The budgeted salary range for this position is $220K - $250K with an outstanding benefits package including 20 days of annual leave plus paid company holidays; sick, bereavement, and parental leave; medical and dental insurance with an FSA option; life and short- and long-term disability coverage; a 401(k) with 6% employer contribution; cell phone and transit reimbursement, and more.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Operations

Translate strategic objectives into operational plans, systems, and workflows. Conduct SWOT analyses, market research, and program evaluation to assess staff and resource needs. Partner with the CFO on operational budgeting.

Lead cross-departmental planning and communication to ensure alignment, accountability, and clarity of roles, timelines, and outcomes.

Introduce and standardize project management practices and reporting methods, including workflow documentation, standard operating procedures, and staff training tools.

Develop goal-driven dashboards and data reporting tools that support the CEO and provide transparency to the board.

Lead organization-wide system improvements, including a new AMS and event registration platform.

Serve as liaison to the Endowment Committee and oversee the Endowment Program, coordinating 6-10 innovation projects annually.

Partner with the CEO on strategy and operations for industry workforce development programs through the SIA Foundation.

Program and Department Oversight

Oversee Learning & Development, Member Services, Standards & Technology, and, managing three senior directors and their teams.

Build shared KPIs for goal setting, performance tracking, and department-level decision-making.

Evaluate the performance, market fit, and revenue potential of training and certification programs. Reposition or sunset those with limited demand.

Develop a cohesive strategy for SIA's owned events to ensure a consistent attendee experience and integration with other SIA programs. Work with cross-functional leadership to clarify roles, timelines, and decision authority for event content, marketing, and execution.

Work with marketing leadership to prioritize initiatives and allocate staff resources to support high-impact campaigns and member engagement.

Qualifications

15+ years of progressive leadership experience in an operations, COO, or senior cross-functional management role within an association or membership-based organization. Experience overseeing multiple program areas or departments.

Proven ability to operationalize strategic plans, including setting priorities, sequencing work, allocating resources, and establishing accountability.

A record of success in launching, sunsetting, or repositioning programs based on data and market fit.

Strong project management expertise, including developing KPIs, dashboards, and performance reporting to guide decision-making and drive improvement.

Experience using an association management system (AMS) to analyze member engagement and inform program and revenue decisions.

Demonstrated ability to lead through senior-level staff, build high-performing teams, and develop leadership capacity across the organization.

About SIA

The Security Industry Association (SIA) is the leading trade association for global security solution providers, with over 1,600 innovative member companies representing thousands of security leaders and experts who shape the future of the security industry. SIA protects and advances its members' interests by advocating pro-industry policies and legislation at the federal and state levels, creating open industry standards that enable integration, advancing industry professionalism through education and training; opening global market opportunities and collaborating with other like-minded organizations. As the premier sponsor of ISC Events expos and conferences, SIA ensures its members have access to top-level buyers and influencers, as well as unparalleled learning and network opportunities.

Staffing Advisors is committed to reducing bias in every aspect of the hiring process. We have long recommended a competency-driven approach to hiring. 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, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position description; we will consider people from a variety of backgrounds and career experiences.

Compensation : $220,000-$250,000 per year.

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