Director, Public Safety

Company: San Diego Convention Center Corporation
Location: San Diego
Posted on: March 16, 2025

Job Description:

About The Role:Provides strategic leadership and oversight of the Public Safety division, ensuring a safe and secure environment for employees, clients, guests, and assets. Develops and implements proactive security strategies, operational plans, and risk management programs aligned with organizational goals. Directs all aspects of facility security, emergency preparedness, asset protection, crowd management, and vendor access control. Collaborates with internal departments, clients, regulatory agencies, and first responders to enhance safety, security, and the overall guest experience. Leverages emerging technologies, industry best practices, and data-driven approaches to continuously improve security operations, mitigate risks, and support the Corporation's commitment to exceptional service and operational excellence.What You Will Do:

• Manages, mentors, and coaches a department manager and a team of subordinate supervisors who oversee full-time and part-time Public Safety staff.
• Provides leadership, direction, and performance oversight for the division, ensuring alignment with organizational policies and applicable laws.
• While the department manager may carry out certain supervisory and operational tasks, the Director retains ultimate responsibility for the overall leadership, performance, and compliance of the division.
• Responsibilities include hiring, training, assigning work, evaluating performance, and addressing disciplinary matters and employee concerns.
• Conducts and oversees investigations as needed. Contributes to the management and negotiation of the collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local 542.
• Partners with the venue Leadership Team to align public safety strategies with organizational priorities, enhance the guest experience, safeguard the Corporation's reputation, and proactively identify and mitigate safety and security risks. Ensures accurate incident reporting, efficient resource allocation, and seamless cross-departmental collaboration to support business continuity and operational resilience.
• Develops, implements and maintains strategic plans around areas of oversight, operational policies, procedures and standards for internal security, traffic control, surveillance, patrol and protection of assets under the control of the Corporation. Collaborates with the information technology team to align physical security measures with evolving cybersecurity programs, ensuring a cohesive and resilient security environment.
• Takes initiative in seeking out new technologies that will keep areas of oversight progressively moving forward in an industry leadership role. Actively engaged with relevant industry associations.
• Reviews and analyzes event requirements and develop appropriate in-house security plans. Liaisons with clients in need of specialized services (i.e. VIP escorting, protection services, protestors etc.).
• Serves as the primary contact for all venue emergency incidents and leads the Emergency Response Team. Develops, implements, and ensures compliance with comprehensive emergency response, evacuation, and business continuity procedures. Coordinates and oversees regular emergency preparedness drills (fire, earthquake, active shooter), ensuring staff readiness and regulatory compliance.
• Cultivates strong partnerships with local, regional, and federal emergency response agencies (SDPD, FBI, DHS, Harbor Police, County Health), as well as neighboring businesses and venues. Facilitates ongoing relationship-building activities, including hosting the annual first responder's breakfast to enhance agency familiarity with venue operations and key personnel.
• Develops and maintains an employee awareness and asset protection program to proactively prevent losses and encourage timely reporting of incidents. Oversees all security-related investigations, including theft, injury, illness, and criminal activity, ensuring consistent processes and thorough documentation. Works collaboratively with Human Resources on employee-related investigations, escalating to direct involvement when complex or high-risk cases arise.
• Develops and oversees access control programs for vendors, contractors, and clients, balancing efficient operational access with rigorous security standards.
• Identifies vulnerabilities, analyzes loss trends, and develops strategic plans and budgets to address risks. Allocates resources, monitors division performance, and ensures accountability for budget adherence and operational effectiveness.
• Provides expert input on safety and security considerations in venue design and renovation projects, ensuring effective physical security, emergency access, and safe egress.
• Develops, manages and monitors the division's annual budget, including labor costs, operational expenses, revenue projections, and upgrades to surveillance technology. Continuously evaluates budget performance, implements cost-saving initiatives, and assesses resource utilization to ensure efficiency and alignment with operational goals.
• Oversees daily Public Safety operations, including scheduling, staffing, and coverage for key facility locations (loading dock, base, static posts, and mobile patrols). Monitors service levels and adjusts staffing to align with operational needs and guest expectations.
• Develops and enforces performance criteria for third-party security providers contracted for events. Ensures all approved providers maintain compliance with established standards.
• Responsible for enforcing Corporation policies, procedures, rules and regulations, and regularly reviews and recommends updates to ensure alignment with evolving risks, technologies, and industry standards.
• Other duties may be assigned.What You Will Need:
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Public Safety, Emergency Management, Hospitality or Venue Management. At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in public safety, security management, law enforcement, or a related field, with at least five (5) years in a supervisory or management capacity required. An equivalent combination of education and directly related experience may be considered.
  • Experience in managing security operations for large public venues, major corporate security programs, or law enforcement command-level experience strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated leadership skills, including oversight of diverse teams, operational planning, incident response, and interagency coordination required.
  • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret incident reports, security assessments, emergency procedures, regulatory documents, and industry guidelines related to public safety and venue security.
  • Strong written communication skills to prepare clear and objective reports, policies, and investigation summaries. Excellent verbal communication skills to effectively convey information to senior management, clients, regulatory agencies, law enforcement, first responders, and the public.
  • Able to confidently present security plans, risk assessments, and emergency response strategies to executive leadership, clients, and governing boards, and respond professionally to inquiries, complaints, and high-pressure situations.
  • Experience in scheduling, organizing and directing staff with varying levels of authority (manager, supervisors and line staff).
  • Must be able to work under pressure and within short time constraints.
  • Need to have advanced abilities in the following areas:
    • Principles of strategic and tactical leadership
    • Principles of customer service and hospitality
    • Principles of leadership, supervision and training
    • Motivation, team development and creation of positive workplace culture
    • Principles and practices of basic accounting and budgeting
    • Negotiate and implement facility contracts for services
    • Preparation of clear and concise reports for Board and Executive Leadership
    • Research, analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures and techniques
    • Event management software systems
    • While performing the duties of this job the employee regularly remains in an office at a computer workstation and accesses information from a computer. The employee is required to be mobile to, from, and within the office suite, and will be required to leave the suite and maneuver throughout the facility and at times the city.
    • Active and participatory membership in venue management or security related associations highly desirable.
    • IAVM Academy for Venue Safety and Security (AVSS) (graduate preferred)
    • CPR/AED and First Aid Certified (preferred)Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with DisabilitiesThe contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they
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Keywords: San Diego Convention Center Corporation, San Diego , Director, Public Safety, Executive , San Diego, California