Watch Commander #1 - Integrated Operational Security & Crisis Management

Job description

The Company NorthMark Compute & Cloud (NMC²) is backed by dedicated leadership and investment, with a clear mission as it operates at the bleeding edge of technology. Its goal is to scale and enhance the high-performance computing (HPC) and cloud infrastructure that supports its clients' research, production, and delivery, enabling breakthroughs that shape the industries of tomorrow. Its engineers build critical infrastructure to eliminate friction in scientific research, simulations, analysis, and decision-making, accelerating discovery and driving faster innovation. The Position The Watch Commander is the senior on-shift authority for the facility's security and operations watch floor in Spartanburg County, SC, responsible for the safe, secure, and continuous operation of a critical infrastructure campus during their assigned shift. The site operates islanded power generation systems and houses sensitive, high-availability computing workloads across a Tier-class data center Reporting to the Director of Integrated Operational Security & Crisis Management, the Watch Commander holds real-time command of the watch floor , directing security and operations personnel, monitoring all life-safety and security systems, executing established procedures, and acting as the first-line Incident Commander for any event that arises during their shift. Watch Commanders form the core leadership cadre for the future-state Enterprise Operations Centre (EOC), providing round-the-clock command continuity across the enterprise. Responsibilities: Hold real-time command of the security and operations watch floor for the duration of the assigned shift, maintaining continuous situational awareness across all monitored systems, personnel, and facility conditions. Direct and supervise all on-shift security officers, console operators, and response staff , assigning posts, managing breaks and coverage, and ensuring every position is staffed to standard at all times. Conduct structured, documented shift handovers at the start and end of each watch, ensuring complete continuity of awareness regarding open incidents, system status, ongoing works, and outstanding actions. Develop and implement Incident, Emergency, and SOP Action Plans for the site-wide environment, ensuring plans are current, comprehensive, and aligned with the facility's Crisis Response Framework and broader emergency management standards. Be available to deploy on a TDY (temporary duty) basis to support Executive Protection and security details for company leadership and operations as needed, potentially including travel outside the home site. Meet and maintain all requirements for private armed security licensure in the State of South Carolina, including any applicable SLED registration, training, and certification standards, ensuring continuous eligibility to carry out armed security functions as required by the role. Monitor and respond to alarms and indicators across access control, CCTV, intrusion detection, fire and life-safety, power generation status, and data centre environmental systems, escalating per established thresholds. Maintain accurate, contemporaneous logs of all shift activity, events, decisions, and notifications in the operations log and incident management systems. Act as the first-line Incident Commander for any security, safety, or operational event occurring during the shift, initiating the appropriate response under ICS/NIMS principles until relieved by the Director or senior leadership. Execute the facility's Crisis Response Framework, Incident Action Plans, and standard operating procedures accurately and decisively under pressure. Activate internal cascade lists, notification trees, and escalation protocols promptly, ensuring leadership and external partners are alerted within defined timeframes. Coordinate the initial on-site reception and integration of responding external agencies, EMS, law enforcement, fire, and HAZMAT teams. Ensure all shift activity is conducted in strict accordance with security policies, SOPs, permit-to-work systems, and access control standards. Enforce access management protocols for the sensitive computing environment, verifying authorisations, supervising escorted access, and maintaining audit-ready records of all entries to controlled areas. Conduct regular floor checks, post inspections, and patrol verifications to confirm procedures are being followed and standards upheld. Lead, motivate, and develop the on-shift team, setting clear expectations, providing real-time coaching, and maintaining high standards of professionalism, alertness, and conduct. Conduct pre-shift briefings covering current threats, ongoing works, system status, and the day's operational priorities, ensuring every team member starts the watch fully informed. Deliver and reinforce ongoing training, drills, and scenario exercises during the shift to sustain readiness and embed correct response behaviours. Maintain awareness of all EHS conditions on the watch floor and across the campus, enforcing safe work practices, permit-to-work controls, and EHS reporting requirements during the shift. Supervise and verify the activity of on-site contractors and vendors during the shift, confirming authorisations, inductions, and adherence to site safety and security requirements. Coordinate with data centre operations, facilities, and engineering teams to ensure alignment on security and operational activities and de-conflicted. Requirements: 7+ years of progressive experience in security operations, law enforcement, military, emergency services, or a related mission-critical operational environment, with demonstrated supervisory or shift-leadership responsibility. Proven experience leading a team in a 24/7 operational setting, security operations centre, dispatch, watch floor, command post, or comparable environment. ICS/NIMS incident command training (NIMS 100/200/700 required; 300 strongly preferred), with the ability to act as first-line Incident Commander. Demonstrated ability to remain calm, decisive, and effective during high-pressure, time-critical incidents. Strong working knowledge of physical security systems including access control, CCTV, and intrusion detection platforms. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with disciplined documentation and clear handover practices. Ability to work a rotating shift pattern including nights, weekends, and holidays, and to respond on short notice to operational needs. Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Security Management, or a related field. Prior experience in critical infrastructure, data centre, utility, or high-availability operational environments. Familiarity with EHS and HAZMAT response procedures, permit-to-work systems, and process safety practices. Experience operating PSIM or integrated command platforms. Exposure to data centre physical security standards (SOC 2, ISO 27001 physical domains) or NERC CIP environments. Relevant professional certification such as ASIS PSP, CPP, or equivalent. Background investigation, reference checks, and pre-employment screening required. Active or clearable security clearance status may be required. Schedule: Full-time, on-site rotating shift pattern providing 24/7/365 coverage including nights, weekends, and public holidays. Shift differential pay applies. It is impossible to list every requirement for, or responsibility of, any position. Similarly, we cannot identify all the skills a position may require since job responsibilities and the Company’s needs may change over time. Therefore, the above job description is not comprehensive or exhaustive. The Company reserves the right to adjust, add to or eliminate any aspect of the above description. The Company also retains the right to require all employees to undertake additional or different job responsibilities when necessary to meet business needs. Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future. Benefits & Perks: Company-Paid Lunch Stipend : Lunch is provided via GrubHub Company-Paid Benefits: 100% Employer-Paid Medical in our High Deductible Health Plan, Dental and Vision benefits for employees and their families, 16 weeks of Paid Parental Leave, Employee Assistance Program, Life insurance, Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability 401(k): Company will match 100% of your contributions up to 6% Optional Employee-Paid Benefits: Medical insurance in our PPO plan and a variety of other benefits such as Health Savings Accounts (with Company Contribution!), Flexible Spending Accounts, Supplemental Life Insurance, Wellhub and more. Time Off: 25 days of Paid Time Off plus 12 company holidays EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER NORTHMARK STRATEGIES LLC IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. THE COMPANY'S POLICY IS NOT TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ANY APPLICANT OR EMPLOYEE BASED ON RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, AGE, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION, MARITAL STATUS, MENTAL OR PHYSICAL DISABILITY, AND GENETIC INFORMATION, OR ANY OTHER BASIS PROTECTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. THE FIRM ALSO PROHIBITS HARASSMENT OF APPLICANTS OR EMPLOYEES BASED ON ANY OF THESE PROTECTED CATEGORIES.