Executive Director College Security Services

Central Piedmont Community College; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Piedmont Community College seeks an Executive Director of College Security Services to shape and advance campus safety strategy, lead security operations, emergency preparedness, and risk management across the college. The role provides vision, direction, and collaboration with internal and external partners to create a safe learning and working environment for students and staff.

The Executive Director will oversee policy development, training, and budget planning while coordinating

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required in public administration, criminal justice, security management, emergency management, organizational leadership, or closely related field.
• Senior leadership experience in a multi-campus higher education institution with responsibility for college-wide security strategy and coordination with leadership.
• Seven or more years of senior management experience leading managers or directors across multiple locations with measurable security program improvements.
• Completion of a recognized executive leadership program in campus public safety or security management; advanced professional certification; and Clery Act reporting experience.

Responsibilities

• Establishes strategic priorities and directs development, implementation, and evaluation of a college-wide security program.
• Leads investigation and resolution of incidents in coordination with College departments and law enforcement.
• Represents the College in partnerships with law enforcement and maintains up-to-date security policies and procedures.

Skills

Senior leadership

Security management

Emergency management

Budget stewardship

Strategic planning

Education

Master’s degree in public administration, criminal justice, security management, emergency management, organizational leadership, or closely related field

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Word

Teams

Job description

Are you ready to make a lasting impact on the safety and security of a college community? The Executive Director of College Security Services is a key leadership role responsible for shaping and advancing the College’s campus safety and security strategy. This position provides vision and direction for security operations, emergency preparedness, and risk management while leading initiatives that promote a safe, welcoming, and secure environment for students, employees, and visitors. Through strategic planning, strong leadership, and collaboration with internal and external partners, the Executive Director will strengthen campus safety practices, guide security personnel, and ensure the College is prepared to respond effectively to evolving safety and security needs. This is an opportunity for a forward-thinking leader to make a meaningful difference in protecting the College community and supporting its mission.

1. 1. Establishes strategic priorities and directs the development, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive college-wide security program. Uses crime trends, emerging risks, and developments in campus public safety to guide prevention strategies and program improvements, considering crime reporting, fire and safety requirements, security codes and standards, and the College’s student culture.
2. 2. Establishes accountability for the appropriate investigation and resolution of incidents reported to the department, including thefts, burglaries, vandalism, trespassing, complaints against personnel, and related matters. Coordinates with responsible College departments and law enforcement authorities, as appropriate, to support effective follow-up.
3. 3. In conjunction with the College Police Department, represents the College in partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies on campus safety, security, and law enforcement matters. Maintains current knowledge of applicable policies, procedures, laws, and ordinances to inform college-wide security decisions and practices.
4. 4. Partners with College leadership to establish coordinated approaches to student behavioral concerns that may present college-wide safety risks. Collaborates with faculty, academic support staff, and other College personnel to support timely response and a safe learning and working environment.
5. 5. Establishes professional development priorities for campus security directors and security program management staff to ensure the knowledge and capabilities necessary to fulfill their responsibilities.
6. 6. Leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of college-wide security policies and procedures. Establishes service outcome measures, evaluates program effectiveness, and advances improvements based on results. Partners with the College’s Emergency Preparedness Team in coordinating the Emergency Operations Plan and leads the Security Services Department’s implementation responsibilities as directed.
7. 7. Provides strategic oversight of college-wide security technology and ensures that policy and crime-reporting information on the security services web page is current and accurate; oversees the submission and publication of annual Clery Act crime statistics.
8. 8. Provides executive oversight of the College’s Clery Act and Stop Campus Hazing Act compliance program across all campuses, including supervision of personnel assigned Clery compliance responsibilities. Directs coordination with the College Police Department and responsible College offices to support accurate crime classification, Clery geography determinations, collection and reconciliation of crime statistics, and timely preparation, publication, distribution, and federal submission of required reports and disclosures.
9. 9. Coordinates Clery Act training for Campus Security Authorities and other responsible College personnel, including training schedules, materials, and completion records. Coordinates preparation, review, and distribution of the Annual Security Report and other applicable annual disclosures with responsible College offices to support accurate, consistent, and timely reporting. Oversees Campus Security Authority identification and training, daily crime log requirements, and coordination of timely warning and emergency notification procedures. Monitors required policy statements, reporting deadlines, supporting documentation, and records retention; conducts periodic compliance reviews, directs corrective action, and advises the Associate Vice President, Safety & Security, of compliance risks and resource needs.
10. 10. Directs development, implementation, and monitoring of the annual security budget in collaboration with the Associate Vice President, Safety & Security. Forecasts operating and capital needs, prioritizes resource allocations, monitors expenditures and budget variances, and recommends adjustments to maintain fiscal accountability and align spending with institutional security priorities.
11. 11. Provides security leadership in collaboration with the College Police Department and the Emergency Management Team and coordinates the department’s role in responding to emergency events.
12. 12. Oversees the Security Services training program to ensure all security officers receive initial, recurring, and assignment-specific training and demonstrate proficiency in their assigned duties. Establishes training priorities and standards, coordinates delivery with campus security directors and appropriate subject-matter experts, and ensures training addresses departmental policies, emergency response, reporting procedures, and applicable requirements. Monitors training completion, maintains training records, and directs refresher training and program improvements to address identified gaps and sustain operational readiness.
13. 13. Performs other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in public administration, criminal justice, security management, emergency management, organizational leadership, or a closely related field.
• Senior leadership experience in a multi-campus higher education institution, preferably a community college, with responsibility for college-wide security strategy, service standards, and coordination with academic and administrative leadership.
• Seven or more years of senior management experience, including leadership of managers or directors across multiple locations and demonstrated results in organizational change, succession planning, budget stewardship, and measurable security program improvement.
• Completion of a recognized executive leadership program in campus public safety, security administration, or public administration; advanced professional certification in security or emergency management; and experience overseeing Clery Act reporting, campus crime prevention, and institutional emergency coordination.

Conditions of Employment

• Pass a pre-employment criminal background check.
• Have and maintain a valid NC or SC driver’s license with a good driving record.
• Maintain updates on applicable/required certifications.
• Have CPR and Basic First Aid Certification; if not currently certified, must be obtained within 90 days of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Worker Characteristics

• Extensive knowledge of safety/security and emergency management protocols, FEMA disaster assessment, planning, response and recovery operations
• In depth understanding of state and local government disaster recovery protocols
• Ability to implement a comprehensive security and emergency response plan
• Ability to learn and utilize computer software programs to access information and complete incident reports, submit work requests and prepare presentations and proposals, i.e. PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Teams software
• Executive level oral and written communication skills, including the ability to brief senior leadership, present risk-informed recommendations, communicate during critical incidents, and translate short and long‑ran priorities into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment within a complex organizational structure
• Ability to perform under stress and intense pressure.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through managers and directors, establish clear accountability, develop leadership capacity, guide organizational change, and align security policies, budgets, and service delivery with institutional priorities.

Working Conditions

• Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.
• Work may involve moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.
• Moderate physical activity; requires handling of average- weight objects and standing or walking for extended periods of time.
• May be required to work irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, to meet operational needs.