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Head of Emergency Response, Trust & Safety - USDS

AT TikTok
TikTok

Head of Emergency Response, Trust & Safety - USDS

New York, NY

Responsibilities

About TikTok U.S. Data Security
TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. U.S. Data Security ("USDS") is a subsidary of TikTok in the U.S. This new, security-first division was created to bring heightened focus and governance to our data protection policies and content assurance protocols to keep U.S. users safe. Our focus is on providing oversight and protection of the TikTok platform and U.S. user data, so millions of Americans can continue turning to TikTok to learn something new, earn a living, express themselves creatively, or be entertained. The teams within USDS that deliver on this commitment daily span across Trust & Safety, Security & Privacy, Engineering, User & Product Ops, Corporate Functions and more.

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Why Join Us
Creation is the core of TikTok's purpose. Our platform is built to help imaginations thrive. This is doubly true of the teams that make TikTok possible.
Together, we inspire creativity and bring joy - a mission we all believe in and aim towards achieving every day.
To us, every challenge, no matter how difficult, is an opportunity; to learn, to innovate, and to grow as one team. Status quo? Never. Courage? Always.
At TikTok, we create together and grow together. That's how we drive impact - for ourselves, our company, and the communities we serve.
Join us.

Team Intro
The Emergency Response Team (ERT) for TikTok USDS handles emergency data disclosures to law enforcement in the US. The team is dedicated to maintaining a safe and secure online environment for users by actively monitoring and responding to imminent risks, ensuring compliance with legal regulations, and addressing real-life implications of online content.

We are seeking a strategic and operationally-savvy leader to join our team as the Head of Emergency Response. This role is critical in overseeing a 24-hour operational team that manages sensitive and high-stakes situations involving emergency disclosure requests and other law enforcement interactions. These escalations involve life and death situations and require good judgment, thorough documentation, and thoughtful decision-making. This is a highly dynamic role that requires a leader who is comfortable working across time zones, skilled at navigating complex operational challenges, and dedicated to both the well-being of their team and the broader company goals

As ERT Manager you will be managing the team responsible for analyzing and addressing emergency requests and emergency escalations.

Our Emergency Response team performs a critical function that supports our efforts to address objectionable or disturbing content. Content that our Emergency Response team interacts with includes images, video, and text related to every-day life, but it can also include (but is not limited to) bullying; hate speech; child abuse; sexual assault; torture; bestiality; self-harm; suicide; and murder.

It is possible that this role will be exposed to harmful content on a daily basis.

This position will be full time, and may require occasional availability overnight/weekends for escalations, or coverage for team members with structured shifts providing 24/7 coverage.

In order to enhance collaboration and cross-functional partnerships, among other things, at this time, our organization follows a hybrid work schedule that requires employees to work in the office 3 days a week, or as directed by their manager/department. We regularly review our hybrid work model, and the specific requirements may change at any time.

Responsibilities
- Manage and oversee a 24-hour Emergency Response Team, ensuring seamless operations across multiple time zones and ensuring effective scheduling and staffing.
- Foster a culture of growth and resilience within the team, focusing on mental health, stress management, and maintaining high performance standards.
- Work closely with the team to identify operational challenges and tooling issues, driving remediation efforts to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
- Serve as a bridge between ERT and other departments, sharing insights and solutions that benefit the entire organization.
- Make timely decisions in high-pressure situations while effectively communicating to legal partners and senior leadership, keeping them informed and engaged on key issues.
- Analyze and navigate complex legal risks associated with emergency disclosures of private data, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and policies in alignment with the legal team.
- Lead efforts to identify, assess, and act on imminent risks, conducting disclosures to law enforcement in accordance with company policies and legal requirements.
- Develop strategies to detect and prevent fraudulent requests, ensuring the integrity of interactions with law enforcement and other external stakeholders.
- Use data collection and analysis to identify trends, assess risks, and implement improvements to processes and team performance.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a related field and extensive experience in incident management, Trust and Safety, or investigative roles.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive collaboration across regions.
- High level of integrity and discretion when handling sensitive information.
- Technical aptitude for learning complex tools or systems required for daily operations.- Extensive experience in an operational role, with at least 2-4 years in a leadership position managing trust and safety teams or similar related field of work.
- Strong understanding of legal risks related to emergency disclosures, including the handling of EDRs, subpoenas, court orders, and search warrants.
- Proven ability to work effectively with legal, security, and other cross-functional teams to ensure compliance and manage risks.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to manage team dynamics, resolve conflicts, and foster a collaborative working environment.

Preferred Qualifications
- Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate complex issues clearly and concisely.
- A degree in law, criminal justice, or related field, or experience working in Trust and Safety with a focus on emergency response.
- Familiarity with EU and US laws and regulations impacting Trust and Safety operations (COPPA, TERREG, etc)
- Demonstrated success in managing 24/7 operational teams, including experience with scheduling, time zone management, and handling stress in high-stakes environments.
- Familiarity with detecting and managing fraudulent law enforcement requests, ensuring accurate and secure processing.
- Track record of challenging the status quo and driving forward-thinking changes that enhance team and company performance.
- Experience using data analytics to drive decision-making and process improvements.
- Excellent decision-making skills under pressure, with the ability to prioritize and act swiftly.
- Your ability to work in a high tempo environment, adapt, respond to day-to-day challenges of the role.
- Your resilience and commitment to self-care to manage the emotional demands of the role.

D&I Statement
TikTok is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from across the globe and so does our workplace. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. To achieve that goal, we are committed to celebrating our diverse voices and to creating an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. We are passionate about this and hope you are too.

Accommodation Statement
TikTok is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at https://shorturl.at/ktJP6

Data Security Statement
This role requires the ability to work with and support systems designed to protect sensitive data and information. As such, this role will be subject to strict national security-related screening.

Job Information

[For Pay Transparency] Compensation Description (annually)

The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $106666 - $198444 annually.

Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies and experience, and location. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, and restricted stock units.

Our company benefits are designed to convey company culture and values, to create an efficient and inspiring work environment, and to support our employees to give their best in both work and life. We offer the following benefits to eligible employees:

We cover 100% premium coverage for employee medical insurance, approximately 75% premium coverage for dependents and offer a Health Savings Account(HSA) with a company match. As well as Dental, Vision, Short/Long term Disability, Basic Life, Voluntary Life and AD&D insurance plans. In addition to Flexible Spending Account(FSA) Options like Health Care, Limited Purpose and Dependent Care.

Our time off and leave plans are: 10 paid holidays per year plus 17 days of Paid Personal Time Off (PPTO) (prorated upon hire and increased by tenure) and 10 paid sick days per year as well as 12 weeks of paid Parental leave and 8 weeks of paid Supplemental Disability.

We also provide generous benefits like mental and emotional health benefits through our EAP and Lyra. A 401K company match, gym and cellphone service reimbursements. The Company reserves the right to modify or change these benefits programs at any time, with or without notice.

For Los Angeles County (unincorporated) Candidates:

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Our company believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship on the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment:

1. Interacting and occasionally having unsupervised contact with internal/external clients and/or colleagues;

2. Appropriately handling and managing confidential information including proprietary and trade secret information and access to information technology systems; and

3. Exercising sound judgment.

Client-provided location(s): New York, NY, USA
Job ID: TikTok-7426130347156818214
Employment Type: Other

Perks and Benefits

  • Health and Wellness

    • Health Insurance
    • Dental Insurance
    • Vision Insurance
    • HSA
    • Life Insurance
    • Fitness Subsidies
    • Short-Term Disability
    • Long-Term Disability
    • On-Site Gym
    • Mental Health Benefits
    • Virtual Fitness Classes
  • Parental Benefits

    • Fertility Benefits
    • Adoption Assistance Program
    • Family Support Resources
  • Work Flexibility

    • Flexible Work Hours
    • Hybrid Work Opportunities
  • Office Life and Perks

    • Casual Dress
    • Snacks
    • Pet-friendly Office
    • Happy Hours
    • Some Meals Provided
    • Company Outings
    • On-Site Cafeteria
    • Holiday Events
  • Vacation and Time Off

    • Paid Vacation
    • Paid Holidays
    • Personal/Sick Days
    • Leave of Absence
  • Financial and Retirement

    • 401(K) With Company Matching
    • Performance Bonus
    • Company Equity
  • Professional Development

    • Promote From Within
    • Access to Online Courses
    • Leadership Training Program
    • Associate or Rotational Training Program
    • Mentor Program
  • Diversity and Inclusion

    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program
    • Employee Resource Groups (ERG)

Company Videos

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