Operations & Security Lead for Museum Campus & Events

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) seeks an Operations and Security Coordinator to lead campus security and select operational functions. Reporting to the COO, you will drive safety and efficiency across security, housekeeping, and event support, ensuring a secure, well-managed campus environment.

You will coordinate vendor performance, support incident response, plan staffing for exhibitions and events, and act as liaison with police and authorities as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience considered.
• 4–6 years of experience in security, operations, or facilities management; museum/educational setting preferred.
• Strong understanding of security operations, event coordination, or facility management.
• Ability to work independently and make sound operational decisions.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Working knowledge of security operations, access control systems, emergency response, and life-safety requirements.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in high-pressure situations.
• Proficiency with standard office software and incident reporting systems.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee daily security operations, ensuring staffing and protocol adherence.
• Primary day-to-day contact for contracted security and housekeeping providers.
• Monitor contractor performance and address gaps; advise COO on corrective actions.
• Conduct security assessments; identify risks related to access control and life safety; implement actions.
• Support incident response, including documentation and follow-up actions.
• Serve as liaison with local police, fire, and emergency authorities as required.
• Oversee access control, key/card programs, visitor sign-in, and internal security programs.
• Plan security and operational coverage for exhibitions, public programs, and events with cross-team partners.
• Coordinate setup, support, and breakdown of events, including room configurations, vendor coordination, and security staffing.
• Review invoices and track service delivery; flag discrepancies.
• Assist in implementing security and operational procedures and continuous improvements.
• Provide on-site leadership during events, incidents, and emergencies as required.
• Assist COO with security and housekeeping portions of the operations budget.
• Manage contracted security and housekeeping services with clear expectations.
• Support capital projects and facilities work by coordinating security/operational impacts.

Skills

Security operations

Event coordination

Facility management

Communication

Organizational skills

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Access control systems

Incident reporting systems

Office software

Job description

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) seeks an Operations and Security Coordinator to lead campus security and select operational functions. Reporting to the COO, you will drive safety and efficiency across security, housekeeping, and event support, ensuring a secure, well-managed campus environment.

You will coordinate vendor performance, support incident response, plan staffing for exhibitions and events, and act as liaison with police and authorities as needed.