Interim Executive Director, Safety & Security

LHH Knightsbridge; Toronto; On-site; CAD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

LHH Knightsbridge is seeking an Interim Executive Director, Safety & Security for a large multi-site academic institution in the GTA North region. The role leads day-to-day safety and security operations while guiding a modernization program and organizational renewal during a four-to-six-month assignment.

The successful candidate will stabilize operations, build credibility with stakeholders, and deliver a data-driven assessment and a practical roadmap for future-state governance, processes,

Qualifications

• Progressive senior leadership experience within security, public safety, emergency management, protective services, risk management, or related disciplines.
• Experience leading large, complex, multi-site operations.
• Experience working within highly visible public-facing organizations.

Responsibilities

• Stabilize and effectively lead the safety and security function.
• Build credibility and confidence across key stakeholder groups.
• Complete a comprehensive organizational assessment.
• Identify quick wins and priority improvement opportunities.
• Deliver data-driven recommendations regarding people, structure, governance, technology, and service delivery.
• Provide executive-level insights and recommendations to the CHRO and senior leadership team.
• Develop a future-state operating model and modernization roadmap.
• Support transition planning and implementation priorities for the next phase of the function's evolution.

Skills

Leadership experience

Stakeholder management

Change management

Strategic thinking

Collaboration

Job description

Interim Executive Director, Safety & Security

Reports to: Chief Human Resources Officer

Location: GTA North

Duration: 4-6 Months

Our client, a large, multi-site academic institution, is seeking an experienced Interim Executive Director, Safety & Security to provide leadership during a period of transformation and organizational renewal.

This executive interim assignment presents a unique opportunity to both fly the plane and help remodel it while in flight.

The successful leader will provide day-to-day operational leadership for a diverse safety and security function while simultaneously conducting a comprehensive review of the department's people, structure, processes, systems, and strategy. The goal is to ensure the institution is well-positioned to meet the evolving safety, security, and risk management requirements of a modern academic environment.

This is an ideal role for a seasoned safety and security executive who thrives in complex environments, enjoys challenging the status quo, and has a proven track record leading modernization initiatives that enhance organizational effectiveness, stakeholder confidence, and community safety.

The Mandate

Operational Leadership ("Flying the Plane")

The Interim Executive Director will immediately assume accountability for the effective operation of security and safety services across a geographically dispersed campus environment.

Key priorities include:

• Providing steady, visible leadership to an established safety and security team
• Ensuring continuity of services during a period of organizational transition
• Overseeing the delivery of integrated security operations across multiple locations
• Supporting emergency management, incident response, investigations, threat assessment, and crisis preparedness activities
• Building strong relationships with academic leaders, faculty, staff, students, unions, and external partners
• Maintaining a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for students, employees, visitors, and community stakeholders
• Providing executive-level guidance on emerging risks and critical incidents
• Working collaboratively with facilities, human resources, student services, legal counsel, and executive leadership

Strategic Review & Modernization ("Remodeling the Plane")

In parallel with operational leadership, the Executive Director will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the institution's safety and security function.

This review will focus on:

Organizational Structure

• Assessing current leadership and team structures
• Evaluating spans of control, governance, accountability, and role clarity
• Identifying capability and capacity gaps
• Reviewing succession and talent risks

People & Culture

• Evaluating team effectiveness and performance
• Assessing leadership capabilities across the function
• Identifying opportunities to strengthen engagement, accountability, and service culture
• Providing objective observations regarding organizational readiness and future-state requirements

Processes & Operations

• Reviewing operational workflows and service delivery models
• Assessing incident management and escalation protocols
• Evaluating investigation practices and case management approaches
• Identifying opportunities for standardization, optimization, and efficiency
• Reviewing security technologies, monitoring capabilities, and reporting tools
• Assessing integration opportunities across safety, risk, and emergency management functions
• Identifying modernization opportunities that improve effectiveness while creating operational efficiencies
• Benchmarking current practices against leading public-sector and educational institutions
• Assessing alignment between organizational risks and security priorities
• Developing strategic recommendations that support the institution's long-term objectives
• Creating a practical roadmap for modernization and transformation

The successful interim leader will be expected to:

• Stabilize and effectively lead the safety and security function
• Build credibility and confidence across key stakeholder groups
• Complete a comprehensive organizational assessment
• Identify quick wins and priority improvement opportunities
• Deliver data-driven recommendations regarding people, structure, governance, technology, and service delivery
• Provide executive-level insights and recommendations to the CHRO and senior leadership team
• Develop a future-state operating model and modernization roadmap
• Support transition planning and implementation priorities for the next phase of the function's evolution

Ideal Candidate Profile

We are seeking a highly respected safety and security executive who combines operational credibility with transformational leadership capability.

The successful candidate will bring:

Leadership Experience

• Progressive senior leadership experience within security, public safety, emergency management, protective services, risk management, or related disciplines
• Experience leading large, complex, multi-site operations
• Experience working within highly visible public-facing organizations

The Person

Beyond technical expertise, we are looking for a leader who:

• Is energized by periods of transition and change
• Thrives in complex, matrixed environments
• Possesses strong political acuity and stakeholder management skills
• Is comfortable leading through ambiguity
• Has the courage to ask difficult questions and challenge legacy thinking
• Brings a highly collaborative and relationship-focused leadership style
• Can quickly establish trust while driving accountability
• Is a positive disruptor who respectfully challenges the status quo
• Combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution
• Has a track record of helping organizations become safer, stronger, and more resilient

Why This Assignment?

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact at a highly respected academic institution during an important period of evolution.

The successful interim leader will not simply maintain operations. They will help shape the future of safety and security by providing the insight, objectivity, and leadership necessary to ensure the organization is positioned to meet the changing expectations of its students, employees, visitors, and broader community.

This assignment is ideally suited for an accomplished executive who enjoys creating lasting organizational value, building capability, and leaving teams stronger than they found them.

Lee Hecht Harrison Knightsbridge Corp. is committed to providing equitable treatment and accommodation to ensure a barrier-free recruitment process. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and our AODA policy, a request for accommodation will be accepted as part of the hiring process. If you require accommodation to apply or if selected to participate in an assessment process, please provide your accommodation needs in advance to the Recruitment Lead for this opportunity.

We thank all interested candidates in advance; however, only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.