Director of Global Safety & Security

Division: VP-UOES-Safety & Operations | Unit: Global Safety and Security

About the role

We are seeking a Director of Global Safety & Security who blends higher education acumen, exceptional interpersonal skills, and deep expertise in physical security, threat analysis, international travel risk management, and crisis response. This is a dynamic, hands-on role: the Director will set strategic vision while actively managing day-to-day operations, leading incident responses, and delivering high-impact training. Reporting to the Senior Director of Emergency Management and Global Safety & Security, the Director supervises the Program Manager for International Travel Safety. Together, they uphold a robust duty-of-care framework, direct crisis response efforts, advance international risk management, and bolster physical security across the University’s global footprint.

Responsibilities

• Direct day-to-day global safety and security operations, ensuring consistent execution and high standards across all programs.
• Lead the University’s travel risk management framework by developing, implementing, and auditing policies. Ensure compliance across international activities, conduct regular reviews, and drive continuous program improvements.
• Oversee and evaluate the risk assessment and registration process for all University-sponsored international travel.
• Oversee the design and delivery of pre-departure and annual safety training programs for faculty, staff, and students.
• Lead emergency preparedness, continuity planning, tactical crisis response, and emergency exercises across the global network.
• Assess health, safety, and security risks across diverse international environments. Monitor geopolitical, environmental, and cultural developments, adapting protocols and advising on staffing, infrastructure, and safety procedures at international sites.
• Build and cultivate strong partnerships across campus, at international locations, and with key external partners (e.g., U.S. Department of State, Crisis24).
• Maintain flexible availability across international time zones to monitor operations, advise university constituents, and respond promptly to emerging global crises.
• Supervise, mentor, and direct the Program Manager for International Travel Safety, ensuring accountability and alignment while remaining actively engaged in program execution.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (4-year program preferred).
• 7+ years in international travel safety, risk management, emergency management, or global academic operations (or equivalent combination).
• Proven ability to evaluate geopolitical, health, safety, and operational risks globally.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication, maintaining calm, clear decision-making during high-stress emergency responses.
• Strong collaborative skills, high attention to detail, deadline-driven focus, and dedication to process optimization.
• Ability to handle irregular hours, work extended shifts during crises, and pivot quickly to late-night or early-morning international incident responses.
• Willingness to travel globally multiple times per year, involving long commercial flights, navigating varying terrain, and using regional transit.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree; experience living, studying, or working abroad; higher education experience.
• Familiarity with travel risk and insurance platforms (Terra Dotta, Concur, Crisis24, Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions, Google Suite).
• Professional credentials such as APP, CPP, CBCP, AEM, CEM, CMCS, CSMP, or similar.

Pay

Annual Salary: $100,000