University Executive Director of Public Safety (University Administrator) – Revised
About the role
The City University of New York (CUNY) is seeking a strategic, innovative, and solutions-oriented leader to serve as the University Executive Director (UED) of Public Safety. Reporting to the Executive Vice Chancellor/Chief Operating Officer, the UED is the senior-most authority for public safety, security, emergency management, and risk mitigation across the University.
Responsibilities
Lead development, implementation, and continuous refinement of University-wide public safety policies and standard operating procedures.
Standardize operational protocols, performance metrics, and accountability frameworks across campuses.
Oversee quality assurance initiatives, compliance programs, and regular safety inspection processes.
Assess, select, and implement modern security technologies and enterprise safety systems to enhance overall operational effectiveness.
Direct enterprise-level emergency preparedness, continuity planning, and disaster readiness efforts.
Coordinate crisis response operations with internal stakeholders and external partners including law enforcement, fire services, and EMS.
Manage mass-notification systems and ensure effective communication during emergencies.
Conduct risk and threat assessments across the University and lead development of mitigation strategies targeting human, environmental, chemical, and cyber-related vulnerabilities.
Provide strategic guidance and expert counsel to senior University leadership on public safety priorities, emerging risks, and resource needs.
Lead execution of the Public Safety Strategic Plan, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and evolving security demands.
Collaborate closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, coordinating multi-agency operations and joint initiatives.
Supervise 15 essential public safety and administrative professionals, promoting excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Oversee the Public Safety Training Academy to ensure personnel receive high-quality, compliant, and modernized training.
Manage University-wide recruitment, retention, credentialing, training compliance, and competency tracking for all public safety personnel.
Cultivate strong relationships with campus communities, partner organizations, and external stakeholders to promote a community-centered approach to public safety.
Communicate Public Safety goals, policies, products, emergency preparation protocols, and other important public safety information to the University.
Provide timely, accurate, and transparent communication to the media and University leadership during emergencies.
Support cross-campus initiatives and specialized safety operations that advance institutional goals.
Qualifications
A baccalaureate or advanced degree in police science, criminology, public administration or related law enforcement discipline and 10 years of progressively responsible public safety/security, law enforcement, or equivalent military experience, including at least five years of managerial and supervisory experience.
A valid New York State driver license, New York State Residency and United States Citizenship in order to satisfy the New York State Peace Officer Statute.
Completion of professional law enforcement police executive training program such as the FBI academy, the Northwestern University Traffic Institute (long course), the Police Executive Research Forum (Senior Management Institute) at the Institute for Police, or any other nationally accredited certificate program in law enforcement administration.
Thorough knowledge of public safety concepts and law enforcement and security methods.
Law enforcement experience in a public higher education setting with knowledge of Federal and New York State laws regarding campus law enforcement i.e., Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Clery Act, Title IX, etc.
Experience liaising with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
Prior experience overseeing a police academy or law enforcement-training academy setting with the ability to establish strong esprit de corps among public safety officers.
Experience in enacting emergency preparedness and disaster control procedures.
Experience in designing and conducting risk and threat assessments.
Ability to manage public safety and security operations and budget/fiscal affairs.
Sensitivity to and understanding of, the diverse academic, social, economic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of urban college students.
Detail-oriented and accurate with strong critical thinking and evaluation/assessment skills.
Proactive, collaborative, flexible, and customer focused with strong interpersonal communication, negotiation, conflict-resolution/de-escalation, and group facilitation skills.
Ability to foster collaborative relationships with diverse members of the University community and external constituents.
Strong organizational and follow-through skills to develop and execute work plans, prioritize work, manage multiple assignments and meet deadlines.
Computer proficiency using administrative and financial programs, systems or databases.