Director of Security

Harvard University; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Wellbeing resources

Tuition assistance

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard University’s Dumbarton Oaks campus seeks a Security Director responsible for safeguarding people, property and assets across the institute. You will manage the security department, vendor relationships, budgets, and policy development, ensuring 24/7 protection and compliance with NFPA standards.

You will supervise security staff, coordinate with events, and act as Health and Safety officer, driving 24-hour emergency readiness and collaboration with museum, library, and garden departments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in security management or related field.
• Minimum six years of security management experience; advanced expertise preferred.
• Experience with museum/library security standards is a plus.
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders and leaders.

Responsibilities

• Directly supervise security staff and interface with contract personnel.
• Ensure 24/7 security coverage at predetermined levels.
• Develop and manage contracts, budgets, and specifications.
• Coordinate training needs with the Training Officer.
• Prepare and manage annual budgets and invoices.
• Liaise with local, state, and federal security personnel.
• Develop policies for security, fire protection, and evacuation plans.
• Conduct campus inspections and address safety issues.
• Lead emergency planning and coordinate with departments.
• Provide on-site backup during incidents and events.
• Oversee Clery Act reporting and compliance.
• Maintain access control badges and related security systems.
• Oversee parking allocations and security projects.

Skills

Security equipment familiarity

Law enforcement experience

Access control software knowledge

Management experience

Contract security experience

Communication skills

English fluency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Security Management

Master’s degree in Security Management

Tools

Security access control software

Security equipment

Job description

• Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
• Salary Grade: 059
• Department: Arts and Humanities - Dumbarton Oaks
• FLSA Status: Exempt

Company 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 the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Security Director has overall responsibility for the safety and security of the people, property and assets owned by Dumbarton Oaks. Possess primary responsibility for the management of security department; security vendor management; development and implementation of security policies and procedures; security budgets; overall security processes, projects, and customer service. Manage the contract for a contract security force and work closely with the staffing provider’s site manager. Serve as Health and Safety officer for Dumbarton Oaks. Oversee all aspects of a complex electronic security access control/CCTV system including security design, software management, purchase and maintenance of related hardware. Develop and implement strategy for 24-hour emergency preparedness and response. Support programs and events hosted by various departments; and collaborate with peers regarding the protection of the Museum, Library, and the Gardens.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

• Directly supervise non-contract security staff, including the Training Manager/Supervisor, and interface with contract personnel employed either directly or through the contractor’s site manager.
• Direct Security operations to ensure 24/7 uninterrupted security coverage at predetermined levels.
• Set standards, prepare contracts and specifications, and manage the contract for all contract personnel in the department.
• Meet with staff and the contractor's site manager to identify training needs and communicate them to the designated Training Officer.
• Prepare, submit and manage an annual budget including review and submission/approval of invoices.
• Serve as the primary liaison with local, state, and federal security personnel.
• Develop security and fire protection policies and procedures and implement these policies and procedures, including the evacuation plan, security operations manual, security training manual, disaster plan, and related safety planning, policies, procedures and training. Determine and implement updates to security policies and keep all policies, procedures and manuals current with regular, frequent, systematic, and orderly updates.
• Conduct regular inspections and surveys of the campus to identify security, alarm, fire protection, and safety problems and needs, and take appropriate action to correct problems. Conduct value surveys of alarm service contracts, walk test the alarm detection system, and assure compliance with NFPA and other pertinent standards and recommended practices through inspections and vigilance. Conduct fire drills when necessary.
• Conduct security-related investigations and inquiries.
• Oversee the purchase, replacement, location, and monitoring of all fire extinguishers.
• Attend regular meetings with other department heads to determine impact of projects on security operations and systems and advocate the steps needed including, but not limited to, expansion of security systems to neutralize the impact of those projects. Provide leadership and serve as internal expert for security matters related to building and gallery renovations, new construction / capital projects, and related projects.
• Responsible for planning, initiating, coordinating, and executing emergency planning, including communications with other departments and notifications to staff and the public. Participate on various committees as directed or needed.
• Provide on-site back-up and supervision of security personnel during incidents and events. Work closely with Events Manager to determine security strategy during activities and events. Assure adequate levels of resources are available and provided during events and activities.
• Responsible for the Clery Act reporting and other related compliance.
• Purchase and maintain all access control equipment. Oversee all access control badges, clearances, and issuance. Maintain security gates and related items.
• Oversee parking allocations and monitor parking lots for capacity Manage security projects and new initiatives to improve security.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Perform all duties related to the management of security staff including hiring, training, team building, and progressive disciplinary actions as necessary. Must be on-call 24/7 to discuss or respond to emergencies or have an assigned back-up.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to routinely and as a first responder in emergency situation, ambulate around a large campus with various buildings and mixed terrains including pavements, gardens and stairs. May require bending, stooping, reaching over head and lifting up to 25 lbs. Manual dexterity required to use computer keyboards and other work related equipment.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

Minimum of a bachelor’s degree and six years of security management experience, or a master’s degree and four years of security management experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience using security equipment similar to that used in this facility. Working knowledge and understanding of museum and library security and fire standards.
• Law enforcement experience.
• Knowledge of security access control software, equipment, and processes very desirable.
• Previous managerial experience in a complex security operation in an educational, cultural or related "soft" security environment is preferred.
• Experience in an environment with contract security highly desirable.
• Must be able to communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse constituents.
• Must be fluent in English (written and oral)

Certificates and Licenses:

• Must have or be able to obtain First Aid, CPR, AED Certification within 90 days of employment.
• Must maintain Dumbarton Oaks’ FCC Security Radio License.
• Must maintain Dumbarton Oaks’ Basic Business and Security Agency Business Licensees.

Additional Information

• 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, Credit

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 059. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

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

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.