Safety and Security Director

New Life Covenant Church Southeast; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

New Life Covenant Church Southeast seeks a Safety & Security Director to lead the safety and physical security across campuses, events, and facilities. You’ll shape risk management, emergency preparedness, and incident response, while partnering with local authorities and internal teams to keep people safe.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in safety/security, strong leadership, and hands-on implementation expertise, with a strategic, people-centered approach and the ability to work flexible

Qualifications

• Minimum of five (5) years in safety, security, emergency management, or related field.
• Experience leading security operations in fast-paced environments.
• Knowledge of access control, surveillance, and incident management.
• Familiarity with risk assessment and crisis response best practices.
• Willingness to obtain required credentials or clearances.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety, security, emergency preparedness, and physical risk management strategy.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies.
• Develop and maintain safety, security, fire prevention, emergency response, and crisis management policies and procedures.
• Oversee security systems: access control, video surveillance, alarms, and emergency notification technology.
• Lead planning for services, ministries, events, and rental engagements.
• Manage parking lot operations and related safety measures.
• Lead, coach, and develop security teams.
• Develop and deliver safety, security, and emergency preparedness training.
• Conduct audits, inspections, drills, and incident reviews and implement corrective actions.
• Manage security incidents and coordinate crisis response as needed.
• Build relationships with law enforcement, fire departments, first responders, emergency management, and community partners.
• Partner with HR, Legal, Operations, Facilities, Finance, and Ministry leadership to integrate security into organizational planning.
• Prepare security reports and recommendations for Senior Leadership and Directors.
• Develop and manage the safety and security budget.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership on security and risk matters.
• Maintain oncall readiness for significant security or emergency situations, as required.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Decision making

Communication

Team leadership

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Security Management, Emergency Management, Occupational Health & Safety, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Security technology

Job description

Job Title: Safety & Security Director

Reports To: Executive Director of Operations

Job Title: Safety & Security Director

Reports To: Executive Director of Operations

Direct Reports: Safety & Parking Supervisor/Security Team / Crowd Control Team

FLSA: Full-Time - Exempt

About The Role

The Safety & Security Director provides strategic and operational leadership for NLCSE’s safety, security, emergency preparedness, and risk management efforts. This role oversees security operations across campuses, facilities, ministries, events, and parking areas while developing systems, teams, and partnerships that keep our people and organization safe.

The ideal leader is both strategic and hands-on, with strong judgment, discretion, adaptability, and a people-centered approach.

Why This Role Is Important

Safety and security are essential to creating an environment where people can worship, serve, work, gather, and grow with confidence. This role proactively identifies risks, strengthens preparedness, and builds a culture of safety while supporting NLCSE’s ministry and mission.

What We're Looking For

• Anticipates risks and develops proactive solutions.
• Leads with integrity, confidence, and accountability.
• Builds strong relationships across the organization and with external partners.
• Remains calm and decisive in highpressure situations.
• Embraces technology, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Communicates effectively with frontline teams and senior leadership.
• Develops professional, prepared, and serviceoriented teams.
• Understands and supports NLCSE’s mission and ministry environment.

What You'll Do

• Lead NLCSE’s safety, security, emergency preparedness, and physical risk management strategy.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop strategies to prevent and mitigate threats.
• Develop and maintain safety, security, fire prevention, emergency response, and crisis management policies and procedures.
• Monitor emerging threats, regulations, and industry best practices and recommend improvements.
• Oversee security systems, including access control, video surveillance, alarms, and emergency notification technology.
• Lead security planning and support for services, ministries, events, and rental engagements.
• Provide leadership over parking lot operations and related safety measures.
• Lead, coach, and develop NLCSE’s crowd control and security teams.
• Develop and deliver safety, security, and emergency preparedness training.
• Conduct audits, inspections, drills, and incident reviews and implement corrective actions.
• Manage security incidents and coordinate crisis response as needed.
• Build relationships with law enforcement, fire departments, first responders, emergency management, and community partners.
• Partner with HR, Legal, Operations, Facilities, Finance, and Ministry leadership to integrate security into organizational planning.
• Prepare security reports and recommendations for Senior Leadership and Directors.
• Develop and manage the safety and security budget.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership on security and risk matters.
• Maintain oncall readiness for significant security or emergency situations, as required.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

What You'll Bring

Experience & Knowledge

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in safety, security, emergency management, law enforcement, or a related field.
• Experience leading security operations in a complex, fastpaced, or hightraffic environment.
• Experience managing and developing security personnel or teams.
• Strong knowledge of physical security, risk management, emergency preparedness, crisis response, parking operations, and incident management.
• Knowledge of access control, surveillance, perimeter protection, threat assessment, and security technology.
• Knowledge of applicable safety, fire prevention, security regulations, and industry best practices.

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking and strong decisionmaking.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication.
• Strong analytical and problemsolving skills.
• Exceptional relationshipbuilding and collaboration skills.
• Ability to lead diverse teams and foster accountability.
• Ability to remain calm and solutionsfocused under pressure.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Adaptability and resilience in a changing environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and relevant security technology.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and respond to emergencies when required.
• Ability to successfully complete a comprehensive background check and obtain required credentials or clearances.

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Security Management, Emergency Management, Occupational Health & Safety, or a related field preferred.
• Professional certifications such as CPP, CSP, CSM, or other relevant credentials are highly desirable.

Where You'll Work

This position works across NLCSE campuses, facilities, ministry spaces, parking areas, events, and other organizational environments.

The role requires flexibility to work in a dynamic environment and may include evenings, weekends, event coverage, and on-call responsibilities.

How You'll Make an Impact

• Strengthen its overall security posture.
• Build a culture of safety, awareness, and preparedness.
• Develop confident and capable security teams.
• Improve emergency and crisis readiness.
• Leverage technology to create smarter security solutions.
• Strengthen relationships with external safety and emergency partners.
• Create safer environments for employees, members, visitors, servants, and ministry partners.
• Support an environment where ministry can happen safely and effectively.

Physical Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to work at a desk and use a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds as needed.
• Ability to access and inspect buildings, grounds, parking areas, and other operational spaces.
• Ability to occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push, pull, or carry as required.
• Ability to navigate various environments during security incidents, emergencies, inspections, and events.