Security Director

American Dream; East Rutherford (NJ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

American Dream is seeking a Security Director in East Rutherford, NJ to lead the security and safety program for a premier shopping center. You will shape policies, procedures, and post orders, and oversee all security operations including patrols, CCTV, access control, and crowd management.

You will direct risk assessments, incident response, and emergency planning, coordinating with tenants, law enforcement, and external partners to maintain safety while ensuring guest experience remains

Qualifications

• Minimum 5–10 years of progressive security management experience in large venues or retail/mixed-use environments.
• Proven experience leading large teams and/or contracted security providers.
• Strong knowledge of emergency management, risk assessment, and incident command principles.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve the shopping center’s comprehensive security and safety strategy.
• Lead, mentor, and evaluate security management staff, officers, and contracted security teams.
• Establish security policies, procedures, and post orders aligned with industry best practices.
• Oversee daily security operations, including patrols, access control, CCTV monitoring, and crowd management.
• Conduct regular risk assessments and vulnerability analyses; recommend mitigation strategies.
• Manage incident response for emergencies including medical situations, theft, active threats, severe weather, and evacuations.
• Coordinate and lead emergency drills and training exercises for staff and tenants.
• Serve as the primary security liaison during critical incidents.

Skills

Security management

Emergency management

Leadership

Risk assessment

Incident command

Education

Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Security Management or related field

CPP/PSP/CEM or equivalent certifications (preferred)

Tools

CCTV systems

Access control systems

Incident management platforms

Job description

1 American Dream Wy, East Rutherford, NJ 07073, USA

Job Description

Posted Friday, August 14, 2026 at 4:00 AM

The Security Director de velops, implements, and continuously improves the shopping center’s comprehensive security and safety strategy, e stablishing and updating security policies, procedures, and post orders aligned with industry best practices.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve the shopping center’s comprehensive security and safety strategy.
• Lead, mentor, and evaluate security management staff, officers, and contracted security teams.
• Establish security policies, procedures, and post orders aligned with industry best practices.

Operations & Risk Management

• Oversee daily security operations, including patrols, access control, CCTV monitoring, and crowd management.
• Conduct regular risk assessments and vulnerability analyses; recommend mitigation strategies.
• Manage incident response for emergencies including medical situations, theft, active threats, severe weather, and evacuations.
• Ensure proper documentation, reporting, and follow-up for all incidents.
• Develop and maintain emergency response plans, business continuity plans, and evacuation procedures.
• Coordinate and lead emergency drills and training exercises for staff and tenants.
• Serve as the primary security liaison during critical incidents.
• Partner with tenants to address security concerns and support loss prevention efforts.
• Ensure security operations enhance the guest experience while maintaining a visible and professional presence.
• Respond to escalated tenant, guest, and employee safety concerns.

Law Enforcement & External Partnerships

• Maintain strong working relationships with local police, fire departments, EMS, and homeland security agencies.
• Coordinate joint operations, special events security, and investigations as needed.
• Act as the primary point of contact for external security agencies.

Budget & Administration

• Develop and manage the security department budget, including staffing, technology, and training.
• Oversee contracts for third-party security vendors and technology providers.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, as well as company policies.
• Oversee security technology systems including CCTV, access control, alarms, radios, and incident management platforms.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies to enhance safety and operational efficiency.

Desired Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 5–10 years of progressive security management experience, preferably in retail, shopping centers, hospitality, airports, stadiums, or large public venues.
• Proven experience leading large teams and/or contracted security providers.
• Strong knowledge of emergency management, risk assessment, and incident command principles.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree or professional certifications (CPP, PSP, CEM, or similar).
• Experience working closely with law enforcement or public safety agencies.
• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Security Management, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Background in crowd management, special events security, or large-scale venue operations.
• Familiarity with retail loss prevention and customer-focused security environments.
• Strategic thinker with strong operational execution
• Calm, decisive leadership under pressure
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• High level of integrity and professionalism
• Ability to balance safety, security, and guest experience

Physical job requirements

• Sitting-Frequently
• Stand and walk-Frequently
• Perform repetitive motion (using keyboard)-Frequently
• Kneel and bend-Occasionally
• Reach at or above shoulder level-Infrequently
• Reach at or below shoulder level-Infrequently
• Lift/Carry up to 50 lbs.- Infrequently

American Dream is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment or discrimination. All employment decisions are to be made without regard to race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, pregnancy, national origin/ancestry, citizenship, physical/mental disability, military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

1 American Dream Wy, East Rutherford, NJ 07073, USA