Security Manager

Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO); Saskatoon; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) at the University of Saskatchewan is seeking a senior security leader to manage personnel security screening, access control, and risk-based security programs across a high-containment research environment.

The role requires a strong track record in physical and personnel security, policy development, and cross-organizational collaboration to protect people, facilities, and sensitive research data.

Qualifications

• A relevant undergraduate degree and at least 10 years of progressively responsible security-related experience.
• Broad experience in physical and personnel security, risk assessment, access control and incident or emergency response.
• Ability to assess security risks and translate requirements into practical controls; strong communication with senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead personnel security screening and coordinate facility-access processes for employees, students, visitors, contractors and service providers.
• Develop, implement and improve security policies, procedures, training, risk assessments and audits.
• Advise senior leadership on security risks and mitigation strategies.
• Maintain relationships with law enforcement, regulatory and emergency response organizations; oversee contracted security services.
• Coordinate VIDO’s responses to security incidents and support investigations with university partners.

Skills

Security leadership

Risk assessment

Communication

Policy development

Education

Undergraduate degree

Tools

Access control systems

Incident tracking systems

Job description

Description

The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) is a University of Saskatchewan Research Centre and a global leader in infectious disease research and vaccine development for human and animal health. VIDO brings together high-containment research, animal research, preclinical testing, vaccine development and manufacturing to support preparedness for emerging infectious disease threats.

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada . full-time . October 29, 2026

What You'll Do

• Lead personnel security screening and coordinate facility-access processes for employees, students, visitors, contractors and service providers, working with university partners where required.
• Develop, implement and continuously improve security policies, procedures, training, risk assessment processes, and contribute security expertise to relevant audits and compliance activities.
• Interpret and apply applicable security legislation, regulations and standards and develop appropriate controls for VIDO's containment level 2, 3 and 4 environments.
• Develop and monitor strategies to protect VIDO's people, facilities, intellectual property, sensitive information and reputation.
• Support research-security activities by providing security expertise, coordinating with VIDO research leadership and University research-security specialists, and contributing to risk assessments and the protection of sensitive research.
• Work collaboratively with relevant specialists on biosecurity, research security, information and technology security risks.
• Advise senior leadership on security risks and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Maintain relationships with law enforcement, intelligence, regulatory and emergency response organizations, as well as University of Saskatchewan Protective Services, Safety Resources, Facilities, and Research Acceleration and Strategic Initiatives.
• Manage contracted security services and oversee onsite security personnel.
• Coordinate VIDO’s responses to security incidents and support emergency response and security breach investigations in collaboration with the responsible University functions and other internal and external partners.
• Maintain appropriate security records and safeguard confidential and security-sensitive information.

Required Qualifications

• A relevant undergraduate degree and at least 10 years of progressively responsible security-related experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Broad experience in physical and personnel security, risk assessment, access control and incident or emergency response, gained in a complex, regulated or high-security environment.
• Demonstrated ability to assess security risks, exercise sound judgment and translate requirements into practical approaches, policies or controls.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to advise senior leaders and work effectively across organizational boundaries and with external partners.
• A high degree of discretion and the ability to obtain and maintain required Human Pathogens and Toxins Act (HPTA) and Government of Canada security clearances.

Assets

• Law enforcement, intelligence, protective security, emergency response, critical infrastructure, regulated research or another high-security environment.
• Research security, biosafety/biosecurity, cybersecurity, operational technology or security-system integration.
• Managing contracted security services or onsite security personnel.

Why VIDO?

At VIDO, you'll apply your expertise in a highly specialized environment supporting nationally significant infectious disease research, vaccine development and Canada's preparedness for emerging infectious disease threats.

This is not a traditional security-management role. You will work alongside scientists, technical professionals, operational teams and senior leaders, while working across University structures and with institutional partners whose responsibilities intersect with VIDO security.

Position Details

Status: Permanent

Employment Group: Non-Union

Shift: Monday - Friday, 7.5 hours per day (37.5 hours per week)

Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0

Due to the nature of the position, occasional after-hours availability is required for security-related matters requiring timely attention, including urgent incidents.

The successful candidate will be required to provide a current criminal record check and education/credential verification. The successful candidate must be able to obtain and maintain the HPTA and other Government of Canada security clearances required for the position.

Note: The University believes equity, diversity, and inclusion strengthen the community and enhance excellence, innovation and creativity. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodation for those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.