Director of Campus Safety & Security

The mission of Goodwin University is to educate a diverse student population in a dynamic environment that aligns education, commerce, and community. Our innovative programs of study prepare students for professional careers while promoting lifelong learning and civic responsibility. As a nurturing university community, we challenge students, faculty, staff, and administration to fully realize their highest academic, professional, and personal potential.

Position Description Summary/Purpose

The Director of Campus Safety and Security provides strategic leadership and oversight for campus safety, security, emergency preparedness, transportation, risk management, and regulatory compliance across the University and its affiliated properties. The Director is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for students, employees, visitors, and residents through effective security operations, emergency response planning, and safety initiatives.

Serving as the University's primary liaison with law enforcement, emergency responders, and community partners, the Director leads crisis management efforts, supports compliance requirements, and promotes a culture of safety, preparedness, and accountability throughout the institution.

Essential Job Functions/Primary Responsibilities:

(The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Administration

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for campus safety, security, emergency preparedness, transportation, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
• Advise senior leadership on safety-related risks, compliance obligations, and mitigation strategies.
• Manage departmental budgets, resources, performance metrics, and long-term planning initiatives.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, preparedness, and community engagement.
• Establish and maintain productive relationships with key internal partners including student conduct officer(s), office of human resources, legal affairs, and Title IX compliance.

Security Operations & Vendor Oversight

• Direct campus-wide security operations, access control, and safety protocols across university, school, and residential properties.
• Manage contracted security services, including staffing, performance standards, training, compliance monitoring, and vendor accountability.
• Ensure effective, responsive, and community-oriented security services.

Compliance, Risk Management & Emergency Preparedness

• Lead institutional compliance with applicable federal, state, and regulatory requirements, including Clery Act and workplace violence prevention standards. Support efforts to ensure compliance with other regulatory requirements such as VAWA, DFSCA, OSHA, Title IX, FERPA, , and other applicable federal and state regulations.
• Oversee crime reporting, annual security reporting, emergency notifications, audits, and regulatory reviews.
• Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and programs related to campus safety, emergency management, and risk mitigation.
• Lead emergency preparedness planning, training exercises, crisis response, and incident management activities.

Threat Assessment & Community Partnerships

• Conduct risk assessments, safety audits, and threat management initiatives to identify and mitigate institutional risks.
• Lead or support behavioral intervention and threat assessment efforts.
• Serve as the primary liaison with law enforcement, emergency responders, government agencies, and community stakeholders, ensuring the University and Magnet School System maintain positive and productive relationships with these partners.

Transportation, Training & Security Technology

• Oversee campus transportation services to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operations.
• Develop and deliver safety education, emergency preparedness, and security training programs.
• Manage security technology systems, including access control, surveillance, alarm, and emergency communication systems, and recommend technology enhancements.

Personnel Leadership

• Supervise security and transportation personnel and oversee contracted security staff.
• Establish performance expectations, training programs, accountability measures, and professional development opportunities to ensure effective service delivery.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill

• Demonstrated commitment to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and work in an environment in which all members of the University community are treated with respect and dignity
• Demonstrated skill in risk management, threat assessment, and crisis response.
• Experience navigating vendor relationships and performance expectations.
• Excellent leadership, decision-making, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to remain calm and decisive during emergencies and high-pressure situations. 

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience will be considered.
• 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in campus safety, law enforcement, security operations, or emergency management.
• At least 5 years of supervisory or management experience

Preferred requirements:

• Campus safety leadership experience in higher education.
• FEMA ICS/NIMS certifications.
• Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), law enforcement certification, or equivalent credentials preferred
• Experience with enterprise security systems, threat assessment teams, and emergency response planning.
• Trained in mental health awareness and interventions in public safety settings.

Special Requirements:

• Valid driver's license and ability to operate a motor vehicle
• Must possess a valid Connecticut permit to carry a pistol or revolver or be able to obtain and maintain such permit as a condition of employment and be eligible to carry a firearm in accordance with institutional policies and applicable law.
• Certified Clery Compliance Officer, or the ability to obtain it within six months of starting the position..
• Must be available to respond to emergencies and critical incidents outside normal business hours

Physical and Mental Requirements: 

Vision Requirements:

X Close vision (i.e. clear vision at 20 inches or less)

X Distance vision (i.e. clear vision at 20 feet or more)

X Color vision (i.e. ability to identify and distinguish colors)

X Peripheral vision (i.e. ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or

left and right while the eyes are fixed on a given point)

X Depth perception (i.e. three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and

spatial relationships)

___ No special vision requirements

Full-Time Employee Benefits:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• 401k employer match
• Employee & dependent life insurance
• Great tuition benefits for employee, spouse & dependents
• PTO program
• Flexible work schedules 

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between Goodwin University and employee. It is used as a guide for personnel actions and is subject to change by the University as the needs of the University and requirements of the job change.)