Deputy Director, Safety & Security HQ

This role exists to ensure the physical safety, regulatory compliance, and operational resilience of Mistral's HQ. As a member of the global security team, you will shape and execute the HQ's physical security strategy for one of the world’s leading AI companies, directly impacting the protection of employees, assets, and intellectual property. Your work will establish Mistral's HQ as a benchmark for physical security in the tech sector, enabling business growth while mitigating risks in a cutting-edge, AI-driven environment. You will own the end-to-end physical security framework—from access control and surveillance to crisis response—collaborating closely with French authorities (Police, Gendarmerie, ANSSI) and internal stakeholders. This is a unique opportunity to build a scalable, compliant, and innovative security model that sets the standard for Mistral's expansion across Europe.

Responsibilities

Define and implement a unified physical security strategy for Mistral AI’s France facilities, aligning global policies with local regulations; Lead the consolidation and management of security vendors under SLAs, ensuring performance, cost-efficiency, and compliance; Establish a regulatory compliance program to achieve 100% adherence to French/EU laws (CNIL, RGPD, NIS2) and industry standards (ISO 27001/28000); Deploy state-of-the-art security technologies, including AI-powered surveillance, access control, and intrusion detection systems; Develop and test crisis response frameworks, including emergency protocols for evacuations, lockdowns, and high-impact incidents; Formalize liaison protocols with French authorities to enable threat intelligence sharing and collaborative security measures; Optimize the France security budget (€1M–3M/year) through vendor consolidation, efficiency gains, and risk-based prioritization; Measure and report on security performance, ensuring zero major incidents and continuous improvement of safety standards.

Requirements

Proven experience designing and implementing physical security programs for large, high-stakes facilities or multi-site operations; Vendor management expertise with a track record of consolidating, negotiating, and optimizing security service contracts (e.g., guard services, CCTV, access control); Crisis leadership with hands-on experience developing and testing emergency response protocols for incidents like protests, cyber-physical threats, or natural disasters; Deep knowledge of French/EU compliance frameworks (CNIL, RGPD, NIS2, ISO 27001/28000) and a history of leading audits or certifications; Builder mentality—thrives in ambiguous environments, turning strategy into scalable, operational security solutions; Data-driven decision-making—uses KPIs, risk assessments, and metrics to continuously improve security posture; Resilience under pressure—maintains clarity and effectiveness in high-stakes, fast-evolving situations; Uncompromising integrity—upholds the highest ethical standards, ensuring confidentiality and trust in sensitive contexts.

Benefits

healthcare coverage; parental leave; retirement plans; relocation support; wellness programs; meal and transportation allowances; other location-specific perks