Executive Director of Emergency Management

About SCC

Most people are familiar with the Seattle Convention Center (SCC) because we host a large variety of meetings, events, and conventions. That is the primary role we play – the Center provides a venue in which people gather from around the region, the nation and the world to share ideas, celebrate and learn.

But our role goes well beyond that. The Center has a longstanding commitment to positively impact the lives of those in our region and beyond, advancing the common good. The legacy of our civic actions for the community holds as true today as it began over three decades ago. Read more about our Community Impact here.

Employees are the heartbeat of this extraordinary service culture and contribute to our collective success in the vibrant core of downtown Seattle.

Position Summary

Responsible for the strategic leadership, development, and oversight of organization emergency management, safety programs and directives, and interagency safety and emergency management coordination for the Seattle Convention Center campus. Under the direction of the Vice President of Event Operations, this position establishes and directs multi-functional emergency preparedness, response, and resilience strategies across internal operations and external public safety systems. Drives the implementation and ongoing operation of the Public Safety Hub (C-STAR) to support coordinated public safety efforts across the campus, neighbor organizations and entities, and surrounding community.

The Executive Director serves as the primary liaison with local, region, state, and federal public safety agencies, including law enforcement, fire, and emergency management, and representing the organization in regional planning, coordination, and response efforts. This role provides executive-level guidance on risk, preparedness, and crisis response, and works in partnership with internal departments, including Security, Event Services, Operations, Facilities, and Administration to ensure alignment between emergency planning, event operations, and organizational priorities. The position exercises independent judgment in matters of emergency management strategy, external coordination, and organizational resilience, and plays a key role in supporting safe, effective, and coordinated operations across all SCC facilities and programs. Serves as an authorized representative of the organization in public settings, including government briefings, community meetings, and media engagements related to safety, emergency preparedness, and incident response.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following.  Other duties may be assigned.

•      Establish and direct the enterprise-wide vision, strategy, and operating model for emergency management, safety, and interagency coordination across the SCC campus and surrounding operational environment.
•      Direct an integrated organizational structure for security operations and public safety, to ensure clear roles, accountability, and alignment across internal and external safety efforts.
•      Serve as the primary organizational liaison with local, regional, state, and federal public safety agencies, including law enforcement, fire, emergency management, public health, and community service partners, representing SCC in coordination, response, and recovery efforts.
•      Provide leadership and long-term strategic direction for the Public Safety Hub (C-STAR), positioning SCC as a leader in coordinated safety and public-private partnership models.
•      Represent the organization in public safety initiatives, task forces, and cross-sector partnerships, influencing coordinated response strategies and safety outcomes.
•       Advise executive leadership on enterprise risk assessments, emergency preparedness, incident trends, and organizational resilience, including recommendations for policy, investment, and operational alignment.
•       Establish decision-making frameworks and escalation protocols for safety and emergency response, ensuring clarity of authority across internal operations and external agency coordination.
•       Lead development and execution of enterprise-wide emergency management programs, including preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery strategies across all SCC facilities and operations.
•       Establish and oversee emergency response plans, crisis management protocols, evacuation procedures, and continuity of operations (COOP) frameworks.
•       Ensure organizational alignment with Incident Command System (ICS), National Incident Management System (NIMS), and all applicable regulatory and compliance requirements and frameworks.
•       Lead executive oversight of internal security operations and external emergency management and public safety programs through subordinate leadership, including Security and Safety Managers and staff.
•       Provide strategic oversight for safety planning related to high-risk, high-profile, or complex events, ensuring alignment with organizational risk assessment frameworks and external agency partnerships.
•       Establish and monitor performance metrics, governance processes, and reporting structures to evaluate effectiveness of emergency management and programs.
•       Develop and oversee budgets related to emergency management, C-STAR operations, and public safety initiatives, ensuring strategic allocation of resources.
•       Direct vendor strategy, contracts, and partnerships supporting emergency preparedness, response capabilities, and safety programs.
•       Evaluate and anticipate emerging risks, regulatory changes, and industry trends, advising leadership on impacts to organizational safety and resilience.
•       Drive cross-functional alignment across SCC departments to ensure consistent safety and security standards, communication protocols, and operational readiness.
•      Serve in a senior leadership role during major incidents, providing enterprise-level coordination, and executive decision support for organizational response.
•      Oversee development and readiness of internal teams through training, planning, and preparedness initiatives.
•      Ensure executive-level reporting, documentation, and continuous improvement of emergency preparedness, response, and recovery activities.
•      Perform other duties and strategic initiatives as assigned in support of organizational safety, resilience, and operational priorities.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and arms to reach, handle, or feel; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and climb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed in both office and facilities environments. While performing the duties of this job, the employee can be exposed to outside weather conditions. While maneuvering throughout facilities. Work is performed in both office and facility environments, including large public venues. May be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, or extended hours due to emergencies or special events.

Minimum Qualifications:

•      Bachelor's degree (B.A.) in emergency management, public administration, criminal justice, public safety, or a related field.
•      Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in law enforcement and administrative leadership, including experience related to emergency preparedness, incident response, or public safety operations.
•      Demonstrated knowledge of emergency management principles including preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery.
•      Experience coordinating with multi-agency partners, including law enforcement, fire services, emergency management, and other public safety or government entities.
•      Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to deliver training and prepare clear documentation.
•      Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Emergency Planning Tools.
•      Valid CPR, First Aid, and AED certification within 6 months of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

•      Professional certifications such as Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), Associate Emergency Manager (AEM), or equivalent.
•      Training or certification in the Incident Command System (ICS), National Incident Management System (NIMS), and FEMA emergency management courses.
•      Experience supporting large public venues, events, or facilities.
•      Knowledge of public sector operations and governance.
• 
  *Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Benefit Highlights: 

• Pay: $170,000-$190,000 per year based on experience and qualifications.
• Paid Leave benefits
• Vacation (12 days in first year)
• Paid holidays (11 set by SCC, 2 personal)
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• 457(b) retirement savings plan
• Subsidized transportation and parking benefits 

Schedule: Flexibility to work evenings/weekends dependent on emergencies and events. 

Work Location: Seattle, WA 98101. 

Disability Accommodations and Equal Employment Opportunity

If an accommodation is required either to complete the application process and/or attend an interview, please contact the Human Resources Department at 206-694-5038.

Seattle Convention Center is committed to the policy of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual preference, orientation, gender identity, genetic information, pregnancy, age, religion, veteran status, military status, disability, or any other status protected by law.

Notes on the Application Process

• This posting may be taken down at any time. Review of applications will begin immediately
• Only applications submitted directly to Seattle Convention Center’s jobs page will be considered; applications submitted via external websites and applications will not be received
• A current resumé may be submitted in lieu of filling out the attached Application for Employment only if it includes accurate dates – including month and year – of both previous employment and any relevant experience/education history.
• In the event your application is selected for interview, a hiring representative will reach out via your provided phone or email contact information. The final hiring process will involve employment reference checks and a criminal background check

Salary : $170,000 - $190,000