Security Manager, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization

University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon; On-site; CAD 67,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Saskatchewan's Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) seeks a Security Manager to lead physical, asset and personnel security across a high-containment research environment. You will shape policies, manage audits, and coordinate with research leadership to protect people, facilities and data.

You will oversee security personnel, respond to incidents, and advise senior leaders on mitigations while maintaining critical external partnerships and compliance with

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, exercise sound judgment and translate requirements into practical controls.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills to advise senior leaders and collaborate across boundaries.
• Ability to obtain and maintain required security clearances (HPTA and Government of Canada).

Responsibilities

• Lead personnel security screening and facility-access processes for staff, students, visitors, contractors and service providers.
• Develop, implement and improve security policies, procedures, training and risk assessment processes.
• Apply security standards to containment environments and coordinate audits and compliance activities.
• Protect people, facilities, intellectual property and sensitive information; safeguard reputation.
• Support research-security activities and coordinate with leadership and risk assessments.
• Oversee biosecurity, information security and cyber risk with relevant specialists.

Skills

Physical security

Personnel security

Risk assessment

Access control

Incident response

Communication

Security clearances

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Security Manager, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization

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.

We are seeking an experienced Security Manager to lead VIDO’s physical, asset and personnel security activities and contribute expertise to information protection, research security and biosecurity across a complex research environment. In this role, you will help protect the people, research and infrastructure critical to Canada’s infectious disease preparedness.

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

You bring:

• 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

Experience or knowledge in one or more of the following areas would be an asset:

• 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

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.

Further information is available at: https://careers.usask.ca/tips-for-applying.php#Howtoapplyforaposition.

Department: Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO)
Status: Permanent
Employment Group: Research Positions - Non-union
Shift: Monday - Friday, 7.5 hours per day (37.5 hours per week)
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $48.36 - 67.72 per hour. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Phase/Band: Salary Band 10
Posted Date: 11/5/2026
Closing Date: 12/23/2026 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus

The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where 'Yes' is indicated below. Further information is available at: https://careers.usask.ca/tips-for-applying.php.

Criminal Record Check: Yes
Driver's License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification: Yes
Vulnerable Sector Check: Not Applicable

The University of Saskatchewan aspires to be what the world needs and embraces equity, diversity and inclusion as foundational to excellence and innovation. We actively seek to create a welcoming environment where all individuals feel empowered to thrive, contribute, and grow. Applications from equity-deserving groups are encouraged as part of our ongoing efforts to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve: EDI Framework for Action.

We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and the Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation.

The University of Saskatchewan provides an accessible and inclusive workplace. Should you require support through any stage of the recruitment process, contact us for assistance.