Senior Investigator

OpSec is the world leader in brand authenticity and integrity, with a heritage spanning more than 40 years. We serve many of the world’s leading brand owners, licensors, and media rights owners (including around half of the Interbrand 100 Best Global Brands 2021) and are the only provider that addresses brand value and vulnerability across physical and digital domains. OpSec is also a provider of high-security and compliance solutions to governments. At OpSec, designers work with technologists, integrators, analysts, and domain experts to ensure solutions are brand-led, practical, and effective.

Summary:

Position Summary & Objective This role is the point person for one or more regions for online/offline brand enforcement, counterfeit/gray market detection & response to fraud and digital piracy violations. They will lead direct investigations within the regions and provide support to OpSec’s Senior Director of Investigations on safeguarding brands & intellectual property rights violations.

Essential Functions Performed by the Position

• Manage and coordinate all investigations and other anti-counterfeiting/diversion tasks for clients and ensure key steps over the entire investigation case (planning, fieldwork, illicit buys, evidence collection, reporting and follow up) are effectively carried out as per OpSec’s Investigative Services’ Procedures, Policies, local, state and international laws

• Engage with the Senior Director of Investigations to assess overlapping investigations and requests for additional allocations, formulate investigation plans and develop/modify strategic procedures and practices for investigations and digital piracy cases, and/or prepare comprehensive investigative reports and briefs on investigations and based on analysis and findings, make recommendations for additional investigative actions, online or on-product services that could greatly benefit the client

• Provide ongoing support and guidance to the regional IP Legal Firms, analysts, local law enforcement and support global customs enforcement during importation/exportation counterfeit & safeguarding investigations

• Effectively manage the workflow of individual cases assigned & work towards timely resolution and closure and ensure caseload in the region is managed effectively and the Senior Manager of Investigations is apprised on all active cases and stage of completion

• In collaboration with OPSEC’s Evidence Storage policies and procedures, it is crucial to perform accurate evidence collection. Inventories and preservation assessments of evidence will be conducted and maintained

• Provide technical advice and solutions to the Senior Director of Investigations regarding fraud and piracy detection; strategies to strengthen internal control systems and

procedures; and report on any changes within the countries IP Laws and enforcement capabilities

• Monitor, identify, investigate and support to ensure individual outputs meet the highest quality standards and are delivered according to established schedules

• Effectively communicate and work with all divisions within OpSec to ensure a deliverable capabilities statement is provided to all existing and/or new clients. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance assessment for direct reports

• Contribute to the development and implementation of company-wide standards and tools, including detection and response processes to counterfeiting and safeguarding against gray market, fraud and piracy violations, guidelines, reporting formats and how to incorporate such standards into relevant OpSec business practices

• Conduct trainings and educational presentations to law enforcement, customs, regulatory agencies. IP Firms, professional associations and governmental leadership

• Contribute to knowledge management and learning through collecting and analyzing relevant data, evaluating and measuring impact of activities, capturing and sharing lessons learned and best practices, and research and internal reports

• Coordinate with sales teams and CSM’s to drive new business and ensuring thorough knowledge of all OPSEC offerings which can be utilized to strengthen our position in the market and deliver a more robust 360-degree brand protection program

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings

• Strong investigative, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to endure comprehensive criminal and civil cases.

• Strong written and oral communication skills

• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented

• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics

• Fluency in written and spoken English; some regions may require bilingual capacities in French, Mandarin, Russian, Italian, Spanish or Arabic (other languages may be required upon appointment)

Required Education and Experience

• High School Diploma, Bachelor’s degree preferred

• Previous law enforcement or intelligence-based services with a focus on investigations, evidence collection/preservation, fraud, cyber security, white collar crimes, antipiracy, counterfeiting, and/or organized crime

• Previous search warrant or raid action presentment or similar qualification strongly preferred

• Minimum of 7 years related work experience, ideally with at least 4 of these years being in directed enforcement, investigations, dealing with different ethnic populations, community services, special units, task forces, and organized crime

• Extensive knowledge of, and experience in court case presentment/testimony, case reporting, evidence collection, OSINT and covert operations

• Experience in mentoring, coaching, facilitation and training applying to learning principles and practices

Licenses or Certifications Required

• Previously sworn and documented law enforcement certification, state investigative/security license

• Documented investigative experience via law enforcement certifications

• Certified Cyber Security Analyst Certification or equivalent to be obtained or held within 1 year of full-time position

• Bilingual proficiency test as required by regional appointment, if applicable

Environment Job Requirements and Working Conditions

• Support global investigations as directed by the Senior Director of Investigative Services

Physical characteristics and Demands

• Must be able to lift and carry 30 pounds

• Ability to work in remote, austere geographies based on potential case assignments

• Ability to conduct market surveys and surveillance for extended periods of time, as needed

Travel Requirements

• Approximately 30%, though may vary based on the regional focus and location of the successful candidate

What we offer:

OpSec offers competitive benefits, tailored to each region in which we operate. In addition to benefits, our employees enjoy perks such as company-sponsored wellness programs, volunteer opportunities, regular team building and engagement events and learning and development opportunities.

We value diversity at our company. Everyone who applies with the qualifications will receive consideration for employment without regard to: age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.