Operations & Security Lead for Museum & Events

Socket.dev; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is seeking an Operations and Security Coordinator to lead campus security and select operational functions. Reporting to the COO, the role ensures a safe, secure, and well-managed environment across security, housekeeping, and events.

The position requires coordinating vendor performance, incident response, and execution of operational standards. This role demands independent work, strong communication, and collaboration with museum teams for

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience considered.
• Minimum of 4-6 years of experience in security, operations, or facilities management, preferably in museum, higher education, cultural, or public-facing environments.
• 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 procedures, and life-safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee daily security operations, ensuring proper staffing and adherence to protocols.
• Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for contracted security and housekeeping providers.
• Monitor contractor performance and address gaps or corrective actions with the COO.
• Conduct regular inspections and security assessments related to access control, life safety, and public safety.
• Support incident response, including documentation and follow-up actions.
• Serve as liaison with local police, fire, and emergency authorities as required.
• Oversee access control systems, visitor sign-in, and internal security programs.
• Plan and staff security and operational coverage for exhibitions and events.
• Coordinate setup, support, and breakdown of events, including vendor coordination and housekeeping.
• Review invoices, track service delivery, and flag discrepancies.
• Assist in implementing security and operational procedures and continuous improvements.
• Provide on-site support during events, incidents, and emergencies.
• Assist the COO in developing security and housekeeping portions of the operations budget.

Skills

Security operations

Facilities management

Event coordination

Independent work

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Incident reporting systems

Job description

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is seeking an Operations and Security Coordinator to lead campus security and select operational functions. Reporting to the COO, the role ensures a safe, secure, and well-managed environment across security, housekeeping, and events.

The position requires coordinating vendor performance, incident response, and execution of operational standards. This role demands independent work, strong communication, and collaboration with museum teams for