Description

The Executive Director for Campus Safety, Security, and Emergency Management serves as the College’s senior safety officer and provides executive leadership for a comprehensive, institution-wide approach to campus safety, risk mitigation, emergency preparedness, and crisis response. This role is responsible for ensuring that Stephens College maintains a safe, secure, and resilient campus environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

The Executive Director reports directly to the Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations (EVP) and maintains a secondary (dotted line) reporting relationship to the President. The Executive Director advises the EVP and the President on matters related to campus safety, environmental health and safety, regulatory compliance, and institutional risk management. 

The Executive Director oversees all campus safety operations and serves as the College’s Chief Emergency Management Officer. The role ensures that the College is prepared to prevent, respond to, and recover from critical incidents through effective planning, training, and partnerships with local and regional public safety agencies.

Requirements

I. Provide executive leadership and drive institutional safety by embedding campus safety and emergency preparedness into the mission of the college, protecting its community and institutional success.

II. Support the college’s operational continuity through effective oversight of campus safety and security operation, ensuring a safe learning and working environment. 

III. Establish emergency preparedness by establishing robust plans, protocols, and leadership structures that enable rapid, coordinated, and effective responses to crises. 

IV. Proactively manage risks and maintain regulatory compliance to protect the well-being of students, staff, and visitors ensuring a safe and complaint campus. 

V. Maintain a safe and supportive environment by proactively identifying and addressing potential risks before they escalate.

VI. Ensure the college meets all legal and ethical obligations, protecting the institution from liability and fostering transparency and accountability in campus safety practices.

Ensure institutional compliance with federal and state safety regulations, including the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act).
Oversee preparation and publication of the College’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.
Maintain policies and procedures related to campus crime reporting, emergency notifications, and incident documentation.
Monitor regulatory changes related to campus safety and recommend policy updates to ensure compliance.
Coordinate with Title IX, Student Engagement and Human Resources on safety-related reporting and investigations when appropriate.
 

VII. Ensure accurate, timely information reaches all stakeholders during emergencies, supporting safety, transparency, and trust across the campus community.

VIII. Proactively identify and address vulnerabilities, ensuring the college can withstand and recover from disruptions while maintaining a safe and stable environment.

IX. Align safety operations and community values by ensuring the department has qualified, well-trained personnel and effective resource management tools. 

Qualifications

Required

Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, emergency management, public administration, related field, or equivalent work experience
Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in campus safety, law enforcement, emergency management, or security administration.
Valid driver's license and the ability to operate a college vehicle. Must meet and maintain Stephens Driver Qualification and Vehicle Policy. Must be able to acquire a Missouri Class E Driver’s License. (Stephens College funded)
Demonstrated experience leading safety operations and managing crisis response.
Strong knowledge of Clery Act compliance and campus safety regulatory frameworks.
Experience developing and implementing emergency operations plans.
Experience collaborating with local law enforcement and emergency response agencies.
Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
 

Preferred

Master’s degree in emergency management, public administration, higher education leadership, or related field.
Senior leadership experience in higher education campus safety.
FEMA training and certification in NIMS/ICS emergency management frameworks.
Experience leading behavioral threat assessment programs.
Experience overseeing environmental health and safety programs.
 

Core Competencies

Crisis leadership and emergency decision-making
Strategic risk management and institutional preparedness
Regulatory compliance and policy development
Collaborative leadership and partnership building
Community-centered safety practices
Data-informed safety planning and prevention