Director of International Safety and Security

Harvard University; Massachusetts; Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Harvard University is seeking a Director for International Safety & Security to lead a 24/7 global safety and emergency response program supporting Harvard's research, teaching, and travel worldwide. You will manage a three-person IS&S team, guide risk assessments, and advise leadership on international program design and incident response.

The role requires extensive leadership experience, cross-institution collaboration, and a strong network of international partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 15+ years in global security or operations.
• 5+ years leading a team and emergency responders.
• International field experience and broad network.
• Strong decision-making under pressure.
• Clear, persuasive communication with stakeholders.
• Budget planning, oversight, and reporting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft365.

Responsibilities

• Lead the IS&S team and mentor staff.
• Oversee 24/7 international safety program and risk ratings.
• Develop training materials for international travelers.
• Direct emergency response and crisis management.
• Coordinate risk management strategy with stakeholders.
• Represent Harvard internationally on safety matters.

Skills

Global security

Emergency management

Team leadership

Budget planning

Policy compliance

Relationship management

Cross-functional collab

Education

Advanced degree or equivalent

Job description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Reporting to the Managing Director of Global Support Services (GSS), the Director for International Safety & Security (IS&S) leads Harvard University’s global safety, security, and emergency response program—a 24/7 operation that enables the research, teaching, and learning goals of the University, its 20+ global offices, and its 6,700+ annual travelers, while managing individual and institutional risk.

With University-wide scope, the Director partners with leadership, faculty, and administrators across Harvard’s Schools and Units to provide travelers and decision makers with the advice, assessments, and recommendations they need to make informed decisions about their international travel and programming, and to manage the response to individual and worldwide incidents in collaboration with the University’s global emergency response provider. The Director manages a three-person team, leads the International Emergency Management Team (IEMT), serves on the GSS Leadership Team (GLT) and the University’s Crisis Management Team (CMT), and represents the University’s international safety and security interests with government agencies, higher education peers, and the security sector.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

LeadingtheIS&STeam

• Manages three direct reports, along with oversight of a rotating student co-op position; mentors the team, overseeing their technical training, professional development, career growth, and compliance with GSS’ and the University’s administrative requirements.
• Guides the team’s 24/7 international safety and security program centered on risk management and emergency response; this includes tracking international travel and monitoring and analyzing global intelligence and world events to inform in-house risk ratings, advise and train international program staff, faculty, and travelers on risk mitigation, and manage the response to international incidents.
• Oversees the development and delivery of online and in-person orientations, training programs, and educational materials for international travelers, with an emphasis on challenging and elevated-risk destinations.
• Is accountable for the team’s case management, its use of data to make informed decisions, and its annual budgeting.

EmergencyResponse&CrisisManagement

• Leads the University’s response to international security, medical, and evacuation emergencies, independently making critical, time-sensitive decisions and escalating to the GSS Managing Director and University leadership as needed.
• Leads the University’s IEMT—a working group of 60+ representatives from every Harvard School, relevant Central Administration departments, and on-campus emergency services.
• Develops, tests, and implements emergency plans and protocols; delivers regular and ad hoc briefings during international incidents; and coordinates after-action reports as needed.
• Oversees the University’s 24/7 global emergency response vendor and its integration with GSS’ IS&S program; serves on the vendor’s advisory council for academia and related committees; and selects and manages other vendors and contractors that provide international emergency support.
• Coordinates with the GSS Assistant Director of Communications on sensitive, high-risk messages to ensure awareness and alignment with University posture.
• Serves on the University’s CMT and as a visiting member of the Council of Deans of Students, bringing an international travel perspective and global insights to CMT activations and tabletop exercises.

InternationalRiskManagementStrategy

• Champions and upholds University policies and procedures, federal regulations, and best practices that mitigate the health, safety, and security risks associated with international research centers, projects, and travel.
• Partners with University and School stakeholders to develop risk management strategies and compliance mechanisms, evaluate international safety and security practices, and gain buy-in for new measures as needed.
• Oversees long-range planning for international safety and security initiatives, resources, and policy changes.
• With the GSS Managing Director, International Consulting & Operations team, and Assistant Director of Communications, creates and delivers reports and presentations to administrators and leadership.
• Establishes and maintains trusted working relationships with School and department stakeholders, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and higher education peers.
• As needed, supports and consults on executive protection for high-profile international travelers, oversees on-site security assessments for new offices and program locations abroad, and leads, co-leads, or supports University-wide committees on international travel and after-action review.

GSS Leadership Team (GLT)

• Serves as core member of the GLT, bringing an international safety and security lens, management experience, and a willingness to share expertise that strengthens the team, informs decision-making, and shapes department priorities.
• Works with the GLT to advance strategic priorities and administrative processes that further develop GSS as a resilient organization and supports team-building opportunities that serve both department priorities and individual career development goals.

Working Conditions:

EmergencyStatusDesignation: Critical operations personnel, University CMT member, and leader of the IEMT. Must be available 24/7 by phone, email, and digital device during unscheduled and scheduled on-call periods to support emergency response situations.

Travel: Occasional domestic and international travel (including high-risk locations) for conferences, trainings, and site assessments; maybe expected to travel on short notice to provide in-country support.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and at least 15 years’ experience in global security or operations, including but not limited to international risk assessments, emergency response and crisis management, and international program design and implementation.
• At least 5 years’ experience leading and managing a team, including emergency responders.
• International field experience and a robust network of international contacts and resources.
• Exceptional decision-making and problem-solving skills; judicious and comfortable making critical, timely decisions with little oversight while keeping leadership advised.
• Demonstrates strong leadership, remains calm under pressure and in crisis situations, and handles sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to communicate clearly, effectively, and persuasively, verbally and in writing, with strong relationship-management skills and ability to work collaboratively and flexibly with people at all levels of an organization.
• Experience with budget planning, oversight, and reporting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft365 Office Suite.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Advanced degree or equivalent experience/time in the field.
• Higher education experience, including work with faculty, researchers, or students.
• Strong technical skills and comfort with technology.
• Foreign language proficiency.

Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week

Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal, and References

Other Information:

About Harvard University’s international footprint

Harvard’s international engagements are vast and deep—with more than 20 research centers across the globe and more than 6,700 students, faculty, academics, and staff traveling abroad annually to more than 160 countries to study, work, conduct research, attend conferences, compete, and perform. The University funds or enables a significant amount of independent travel in addition to organized group travel.

About Harvard GSS

Harvard GSS offers international travel, research, and program support in areas that span safety and security, health, culture, outbound immigration, employment, financial and legal matters, and research center operations. We serve students, faculty, staff, and academics across all Harvard Schools, departments, and centers. Since 2011, GSS has helped the Harvard community minimize risk, manage complexity, and feel confident about their international activities and travel. Join our dedicated, experienced team and help Harvard affiliates pursue extraordinary opportunities and achieve their international research, teaching, and learning goals. Learn more about GSS.

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Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 061. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.