Summary:
The Aquarium is adding this new position, the Director of Safety & Security, who will be the principal advisor to top management on all matters related to safety, security, and emergency services. Reporting the SVP of Facilities and Security, this position will direct and work in close in coordination with Shedd’s third party security vendor and Shedd staff throughout the Aquarium. The Director will plan and direct a comprehensive 24x7 protective service program to ensure the safety of the aquarium’s nearly two million annual visitors, employees, volunteers, and living collection.

The ideal candidate will have experience managing major security and safety operations, and strong business acumen, which will allow them to work cross-functionally to achieve optimal results. The Director is expected to consistently uphold and maintain a delicate balance of security with a welcoming public facing guest experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Demonstrate commitment to Shedd’s vision, mission, and values.
• Directs the day to day operation of the safety and security program to ensure a safe and secure environment for our animal, guest and staff.
• Develops and maintains a preventative safety and security program that mitigates/ prevents threats to institutional assets including animals, employees and guest properties; and to reduce loss and injury due to workplace hazards and accidents. This includes coordinating with colleagues for specific security needs (i.e. Guest Relations on guest and floor security, with Technology to ensure physical security of technology assets, with Animal Care to ensure animal protection at the Aquarium, with Learning & Community on field programs, or with Conservation Research for Shedd’s boat based research).
• Directs safety program and manages and coordinates institutional compliance of safety and security to AZA, ADA, and OSHA.
• Coordinates Risk management planning.
• Conducts regular monthly meetings with the safety committee.
• Coordinates with the Shedd Aquarium Training department to plan, schedule and document trainings that to ensure the organization is compliant with these agencies or organizations.
• Develops and maintains safety and security operations manual, and emergency action plans for the institution.
• Schedules ,implements and documents all training and drills associated with the procedures and policies contained in the manual.
• Serves as liaison for day-to-day safety and security matters with governmental agencies and departments, as well as members of the museum and professional community. Provides a direct link to OEMC, Chicago Police, Chicago Fire Departments,
• Plans and manages the Aquarium’s security budget, exercising appropriate control over, and utilization of institutional resources. Makes recommendations for capital upgrades that improves the aquarium security infrastructure and informs the institutional capital budget.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education:
Minimum of bachelor’s degree in business, liberal arts, or protective services.

Experience:
At least 5 years of experience in management of safety/security. Exposure to human relations courses and police training a plus. Managerial experience is required.

Special Skills & Characteristics:

• Strategic Leadership - Exceptional leadership skills including analytical capabilities and the ability to effectively communicate, collaborate, and earn trust with aquarium staff and partners.
• Program Development - Knowledge of security policies, procedures, and protocols; technologies and technical systems; physical security; awareness; training; stakeholder communication; and best practices
• Communications, Monitoring & Intelligence - Knowledge of command center operations, communications, and protective intelligence collection and analysis. Strong network of security resources, contacts, and established relationships. Extensive first-hand knowledge of various cultures and security practices.
• Emergency Preparedness - Understanding of planning frameworks, such as the National Response Plan, to prevent/mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from an event that could range from acts of targeted violence to natural disasters.
• Continuity of Operations and Disaster Recovery - Planning required to achieve the three elements of operational continuity: organizational resilience, recovery, and contingency.
• Security Program Development - Planning, design, and implementation of a customized protective security program for staff and students for planned school activities at various local, national, and foreign locations.
• Special Event Security - Planning and coordination of security for special events for the aquarium
• Physical & Technical Security - Planning, coordination, and management implementing access control, intrusion detection, duress and closed circuit television (CCTV) systems campus-wide.
• Workplace Violence Prevention & Threat Assessment - Implementation and management of aquarium-wide initiatives including active assailant planning; behavioral threat assessment; threat management strategies and support; policy development; and employee training and awareness.

We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.

If you need a reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. In your application, please feel free to select which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs).