Regional Security Director

About the Opportunity

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Senior Director for Global Site Security within the Northeastern University Police Department, the Regional Security Director (RSD) role is a dynamic, forward-thinking position focused on the development of a campus public safety team as well as oversight of security standards across multiple locations.

The Regional Security Director will lead the day-to-day operations of the Oakland Public Safety Department alongside the current Director of Public Safety. The Public Safety Department is a mid-size team of civilian public safety officers, dispatchers, and administrative personnel that support the Northeastern University Oakland campus in a 24/7 capacity, supplemented with contracted security services.

This position will be based out of the Oakland Campus with occasional travel requirements to the West coast Global Network locations.  Occasional travel to the East coast & International campus locations may also be required. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 5+ years of prior law-enforcement experience, preferably both operational and administrative
• At least 2 years of responsible leadership experience in the law enforcement or security field.  Proven record of successful management of a law enforcement or security team or function similar in size and capacity as the Oakland Campus Department of Public Safety
• Experience with large campuses or areas with multi-purpose buildings and varying levels of risk assessment
• Familiarity with federal laws and CA state laws related to The Clery Act, Title IX, FERPA, and all applicable public safety and law enforcement regulations
• Demonstrated training with less lethal weapons, to include baton, OC spray, and handcuffs
• General knowledge of CPTED principles, to include basic security equipment such as security cameras, access control, and other target hardening measures
• Knowledge of public safety communications practices and procedures and the technical language of Police, Fire, EMS, APCO, and Public Safety.
• Completion of a CA Post Academy or recognized equivalent
• Valid U.S. Driver’s License and Passport
• Valid BSIS Card or California POST certification
• Ability to develop, plan, and coordinate schedules.
• Strong organizational & time management skills.
• Strong interpersonal, coaching, and management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively – to present ideas, both in writing and orally, in a technical and non-technical manner, with internal and external constituencies
• Ability to effectively instruct and lead training sessions related to public safety
• Exceptional project management skills are required
• Establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships, both within the university and externally with local, state, and federal partners
• Ability to work effectively with faculty, University administrators, government/industrial representatives, and students
• Ability to work with a broad range and diverse population of people
• High level of self-motivation and experience pivoting between rotating priorities.
• Ability to pass a comprehensive background check

PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice, communications, leadership, or other related area is preferred
• Completion of advanced training such as the FBI National Academy or other command school/college
• Standing member of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) and/or the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), or similar LE association
• Law enforcement or security experience in the field of higher is strongly preferred
• Additional training/credentials related to the area of physical security, public safety, law enforcement, and/or security technology.
• Experience leading or supporting the safety & security of large scale, high profile events
• Familiarity with the higher education environment, including academic, research, and administrative operations

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

1) Oakland Public Safety Department (80%)

Lead the day-to-day operations and strategic growth of the Oakland Public Safety Department alongside the current Director of Public Safety. The Public Safety Department is a mid-size team of civilian public safety officers, dispatchers, and administrative personnel that support the Northeastern University Oakland campus in a 24/7 capacity, supplemented with contracted security services. There are currently 18 full-time employees, with significant expected growth.

Specific responsibilities will include:

• Oversees all personnel within the public safety department, to include administrative employees, dispatchers, officers, supervisors, and the potential of sworn staff
• Utilizes intelligence to make informed decisions regarding crime trends, incident response, and strategic placement of personnel
• Effectively applies experience and knowledge related to best practices in law enforcement, safety, and security
• Effectively supports staff accountability and promotes positive departmental morale
• Performs the job duties of an officer or supervisor, as needed
• Liaises with local law enforcement and surrounding public safety agencies to develop coordinated incident response and proactive security measures
• Apply institutional best practices to the development of general campus security and incident prevention/response
• Advises senior leadership and university officials on potentially threatening or concerning trends & incidents
• Collaborates with other Northeastern University Police colleagues, including police operations, international safety, and emergency management to apply best practices to the Oakland campus
• Utilizes law enforcement and security best practices to create a comprehensive approach to resource utilization
• Utilizes communication and engagement best practices to collaborate with university colleagues in residential life, facilities, general counsel, human resources, and other key functions

In this role, the RSD will be expected to identify areas of improvement within the department, and present applicable solutions.  This position requires a special focus on the continual professionalizing of the team, to include the development of the staffing model and training standards.

Another key area of focus will be community engagement and relationship development with surrounding organizations. Service and engagement with students, faculty, staff, and the entire Northeastern community will be a priority & focus. The RSD will be expected to expand the community engagement aspect of the public safety team, while establishing professional relationships within the city of Oakland, the Oakland Police Department, and other surrounding agencies.

As a safety & security leader on the Oakland Campus, the Regional Security Director will be required to perform site assessments of campus spaces, both current and proposed, and present recommendations for enhancements.  The Regional Security Director will be expected to provide general safety and security guidance to all members of the community on numerous topics, including best practices related to the safekeeping of university personnel and assets. This position will be expected to represent the university’s public safety team at campus events, meetings, and discussion groups.

2) Global Network Sites (20%)

Travel several times a year or as needed to the Global Network sites located on the West Coast.  These sites include but are not limited to: Vancouver, BC; Seattle, WA; San Jose, CA.  Travel to additional site locations may be required dependent on university expansion.  Travel to the other Global Network sites, including London and Canada, may be required occasionally. Responsibilities during Global Network travel will include: assessing the site for additional security recommendations, engaging with contracted security and local law enforcement, delivering staff and student trainings, and working with campus leadership to identify safety and security solutions. The RSD will be expected to prepare reports and recommendations based on travel observations. The RSD will also play a large role in delivering student orientation safety training annually for the Global Network locations.

This position requires a valid U.S. Passport and occasional international travel.

Oakland Public Safety Department (80%)

The primary responsibility for this position will be to lead the day-to-day operations and strategic growth of the Oakland Public Safety Department alongside the current Director of Public Safety. The Public Safety Department is a mid-size team of civilian public safety officers, dispatchers, and administrative personnel that support the Northeastern University Oakland campus in a 24/7 capacity, supplemented with contracted security services. There are currently 18 full-time employees, with significant expected growth.

Specific responsibilities will include:

• Oversees all personnel within the public safety department, to include administrative employees, dispatchers, officers, supervisors, and the potential of sworn staff
• Utilizes intelligence to make informed decisions regarding crime trends, incident response, and strategic placement of personnel
• Effectively applies experience and knowledge related to best practices in law enforcement, safety, and security
• Effectively supports staff accountability and promotes positive departmental morale
• Performs the job duties of an officer or supervisor, as needed
• Liaises with local law enforcement and surrounding public safety agencies to develop coordinated incident response and proactive security measures
• Apply institutional best practices to the development of general campus security and incident prevention/response
• Advises senior leadership and university officials on potentially threatening or concerning trends & incidents
• Collaborates with other Northeastern University Police colleagues, including police operations, international safety, and emergency management to apply best practices to the Oakland campus
• Utilizes law enforcement and security best practices to create a comprehensive approach to resource utilization
• Utilizes communication and engagement best practices to collaborate with university colleagues in residential life, facilities, general counsel, human resources, and other key functions

In this role, the RSD will be expected to identify areas of improvement within the department, and present applicable solutions.  This position requires a special focus on the continual professionalizing of the team, to include the development of the staffing model and training standards.

Another key area of focus will be community engagement and relationship development with surrounding organizations. Service and engagement with students, faculty, staff, and the entire Northeastern community will be a priority & focus. The RSD will be expected to expand the community engagement aspect of the public safety team, while establishing professional relationships within the city of Oakland, the Oakland Police Department, and other surrounding agencies.

As a safety & security leader on the Oakland Campus, the Regional Security Director will be required to perform site assessments of campus spaces, both current and proposed, and present recommendations for enhancements.  The Regional Security Director will be expected to provide general safety and security guidance to all members of the community on numerous topics, including best practices related to the safekeeping of university personnel and assets. This position will be expected to represent the university’s public safety team at campus events, meetings, and discussion groups.

Global Network Sites (20%)

The RSD will be expected to travel several times a year or as needed to the Global Network sites located on the West Coast.  These sites include but are not limited to: Vancouver, BC; Seattle, WA; San Jose, CA.  Travel to additional site locations may be required dependent on university expansion.  Travel to the other Global Network sites, including London and Canada, may be required occasionally.

Responsibilities during Global Network travel will include: assessing the site for additional security recommendations, engaging with contracted security and local law enforcement, delivering staff and student trainings, and working with campus leadership to identify safety and security solutions. The RSD will be expected to prepare reports and recommendations based on travel observations. The RSD will also play a large role in delivering student orientation safety training annually for the Global Network locations.

Additional Information

This is an on-call position, as the RSD will be expected to provide daily guidance to public safety officers as needed.  This position will also be expected to respond accordingly in a support function for significant and critical incidents, and to partake in university leadership meetings to discuss these incidents.

This position will require extensive computer use, to include the preparation of high- level presentations, proposals, and executive briefings. Candidates applying for this position should have previous experience preparing high-level, professional documents and be proficient with Microsoft Word & Powerpoint.

This is a salary position, with the expectation that the RSD will maintain a flexible schedule to accommodate major university events and significant incidents.

In addition to the required and preferred qualifications below, the successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a knowledge of the current best practices and trends in the safety & security field.  Applicants should have a proven track record of successful communication skills, both oral and written, and will be required to demonstrate these skills to varying audiences on a regular basis.

The RSD will be required to accept feedback from all levels within the university, and articulate comprehensive recommendations based on security needs. A balance of strategic vision and operational competency will be required.

The Regional Security Director will be expected to lead as a role model, and demonstrate professionalism and integrity in all aspects of the position. A customer service mindset balanced with a holistic, forward-thinking approach to safety & security is of utmost importance.

Position Type

Safety and Security

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.  

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type:

113S

Expected Hiring Range:

$125,250.00 - $181,612.50

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.