Director, Physical Security Systems and Access Control - Enterprise Physical Operations

Location: St. Louis, MO 63110 • Scheduled Hours: 40

About the Role

The Enterprise Physical Operations, Infrastructure, Capital Programs & Real Estate (EPO) department at WashU provides integrated operational, infrastructure, planning, and facility services that support the university’s mission of excellence in education, research, patient care, and community engagement. Guided by PRIDE+ Core Values of Professionalism & Planning, Respect & Responsibility, Integrity & Integration, Dedication & Delivery, Excellence & Enterprise Alignment, and Accountability & Stewardship, EPO fosters a culture centered on collaboration, strategic partnership, innovation, accountability, and service excellence across the university enterprise.

EPO manages and supports 28 million gross square feet across 235+ buildings and associated infrastructure systems, encompassing academic, research, clinical, residential, administrative, and support facilities across the university’s campuses and operations. Teams provide strategic leadership and operational expertise in facility management, infrastructure services, capital project delivery, real estate operations, planning, sustainability, engineering, maintenance, environmental services, public safety support, and enterprise operational services.

This role serves as the enterprise leader responsible for access control, key management, CCTV, and security technology operations across Washington University's Danforth and WashU Medicine campuses. Provides strategic and operational leadership for security technology infrastructure, enterprise access governance, physical security standards, and related capital investments. Leads a multi-campus team and partners with university leadership, public safety, facilities, information technology, healthcare affiliates, and external vendors to ensure security systems are reliable, compliant, and aligned with institutional priorities. Plays a critical part in advancing enterprise security strategy, supporting organizational growth, and leading the integration of previously separate campus operations into a unified security systems program.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Enterprise Operations
  • Provides strategic and operational leadership for all enterprise access control, key management, CCTV, and related security technology functions across the Danforth and WashU Medicine campuses.
  • Establishes departmental goals, operational priorities, performance standards, and service delivery expectations that support university-wide security objectives.
  • Leads the continued integration and alignment of security systems operations, governance, and processes across multiple campus environments while maintaining business continuity and stakeholder engagement.
• Security Systems & Access Governance
  • Directs enterprise access control, credentialing, key management, CCTV, and related security technology programs, ensuring system reliability, effectiveness, and operational excellence.
  • Establishes and maintains enterprise-wide policies, standards, and governance frameworks for physical and electronic access management.
  • Collaborates with Information Security, Public Safety, and institutional partners to ensure appropriate cybersecurity controls, data integrity, and regulatory compliance for security systems and associated technologies.
• Capital Planning & Technology Lifecycle Management
  • Develops and executes long-range strategies for security technology modernization, lifecycle replacements, repairs and renewal initiatives, and capital investment planning.
  • Partners with Facilities, Information Technology, Capital Projects, and Planning teams to ensure security requirements are incorporated into construction, renovation, and infrastructure projects.
  • Oversees vendor relationships, contract performance, technology procurement, and service partnerships supporting enterprise security operations.
• People Leadership & Organizational Development
  • Leads, develops, and mentors managers, supervisors, and technical staff while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, customer service, and continuous improvement.
  • Directs workforce planning, performance management, succession planning, employee development, and organizational change initiatives supporting a high-performing enterprise operation.
• Executive Stakeholder Engagement
  • Serves as the university's principal advisor and subject matter expert on access control, security systems, and physical security technology matters.
  • Presents strategic recommendations, operational performance metrics, risk assessments, and capital investment priorities to senior and executive leadership.
  • Builds and maintains strong collaborative relationships with university leadership, public safety organizations, healthcare affiliates, facilities teams, information technology groups, regulatory agencies, and external partners.
• Risk Management, Compliance & Incident Support
  • Leads security technology risk assessment, compliance, audits, and incident-support activities by leveraging access control, CCTV, and physical security data to inform decision-making, support investigations, mitigate risk, and enhance campus safety.

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment.
• Alternative work schedule as regular part of job (on-call, shifts, evening, weekends).
• On-call responsibilities.
• Physical effort includes:
  • Typically sitting at desk or table.
  • Typically standing or walking.
  • Occasional lifting.
  • Repetitive wrist, hand, or finger movement.
  • Ability to move to on- and off-campus locations.
• Equipment used includes office equipment and security and surveillance equipment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in security management, criminal justice, facilities management, engineering, technology management, business administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, certifications, and direct relevant experience.
• Eight (8) years or more of progressively responsible experience in physical security, access control, security technology, facilities operations, public safety, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing teams in a complex operational environment.
• Experience managing enterprise-level access control, key management, CCTV, or related security technology systems.
• A driver's license and good driving record are required for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Experience with capital planning, technology lifecycle management, and portfolio oversight.
• Experience reviewing security designs, construction documents, and technical specifications.
• Certifications:
  • Physical Security Professional (PSP).
  • LenelS2, C-CURE, Genetec, Milestone, Avigilon, or similar platform certifications.
  • Certified Protection Professional (CPP) – ASIS International.
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) – Project Management Institute (PMI).
• Ten (10) years of experience in higher education, medical school, healthcare, or facilities planning and project management.
• Skills:
  • Budget Management.
  • Capital Planning.
  • CCTV Surveillance.
  • Change Management.
  • Contractor Management.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration.
  • Emergency Preparedness.
  • Employee Development.
  • Executive Presence.
  • Executive Presenting.
  • Governance Development.
  • Governance Management.
  • Incident Management.
  • Organizational Development (OD).
  • Physical Security Operations.
  • Policy Development.
  • Policy Management.
  • Project Delivery.
  • Regulatory Compliance.
  • Risk Evaluation And Mitigation Strategy (REMS).
  • Security Access Control Systems.
  • Security Technologies.
  • Strategic Leadership.
  • Team Leadership.
  • Vendor Management.

Pay

Salary Range: $110,300.00 - $194,200.00 / Annually. The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Benefits

• Personal
  • Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
  • Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
  • Free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
  • Defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, combining employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
• Wellness
  • Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more.
• Family
  • 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with a new child.
  • Family care resources for childcare and adult care needs.
  • Tuition coverage for employees and family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years.