Director, Physical Security

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location (Full Address):

612 Wilson Blvd, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14627

Opening:

Worker Subtype:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Department:

100037 Department of Public Safety

Work Shift:

UR - Day (United States of America)

Range:

UR URG 116

Compensation Range:

$108,483.00 - $162,725.00

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Responsibilities:

The Director of Physical Security leads the development, implementation, and governance of enterprise-wide physical security systems, standards, and programs for the University of Rochester. This position ensures the protection of students, faculty, staff, patients, visitors, assets, research, and infrastructure across all University campuses and medical facilities. The Director provides strategic leadership over physical security technology, risk-based planning, policy development, and systems lifecycle management while aligning initiatives with University goals, regulatory requirements, and ASIS best practices. The role collaborates with the AVP of Public Safety, the Physical Security Improvement Committee, IT, Facilities, and campus stakeholders to maintain a safe, resilient, and technologically advanced physical security environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Enterprise Security Strategy & Policy Development

• Develops and governs the University’s enterprise physical security strategy, policies, technology standards, and risk-based protection programs. Serves as a member (and may chair) the Physical Security Improvement Committee. Ensures alignment with University policy governance and compliance with the Clery Act, HIPAA, and internal technology standards.

System Architecture & Technology Oversight

• Leads design and engineering standards for access control, video surveillance, alarm/duress, mass notification/lockdown technologies, and physical-IT convergence across all campuses and facilities. Approves enterprise architecture, design specifications, vendor standards, and lifecycle plans.

Program & Project Management

• Oversees implementation, upgrades, integrations, and commissioning of physical security technologies. Coordinates with IT, Facilities, construction/project teams, and vendors to deliver solutions that meet scope, budget, and schedule while adhering to ASIS, NCS4, and CPTED best practices.

Supervision & Personnel Leadership

• Directly supervises three technical leaders (Access Control/Alarms, CCTV/Surveillance, Public Safety IT) and the Campus Security Manager; provides leadership to approximately 70 campus security personnel (indirect). Coaches, assigns work, manages performance, and fosters a results-oriented culture.

Budget Development & Resource Management

• Assists with development of operating and capital budgets; recommends expenditures to the AVP; manages allocated budgets; oversees contracts, service-level agreements, and vendor performance. Guides lifecycle replacement planning and asset inventory accuracy.

Emergency Response & 24/7 Operational Readiness

• Participates in 24/7 on-call structure. Directs or supports incident response for system outages, forced entries, threats to life/safety, and critical events. Coordinates lockdowns, system failover, and after-action reviews.

Compliance, Auditing & Continuous Improvement

• Conducts risk assessments, audits, and performance evaluations of security systems and programs. Develops corrective action plans, KPIs, dashboards, and reports for leadership; ensures adherence to University policies and applicable regulations.

Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Security Management, Engineering, Information Technology, Emergency Management, or related field required

• Master’s degree in Security Studies, Public Administration, Emergency Management, Information Security, or related field preferred.

• Or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience

• 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in physical security, law enforcement, campus safety, or public safety operations equal in scope to this role required.

• 5-7 years of supervisory/managerial experience leading staff in a security or law enforcement environment required

• or equivalent combination of education and experience

• Experience managing security in higher education, academic medicine, research facilities, athletics, museums, libraries preferred.

• Experience developing and implementing risk-based enterprise security programs aligned to ASIS CSO/CPP guidance preferred.

• Experience administering and financially managing enterprise physical security systems: access control, CCTV/VMS, alarms, panic/duress preferred.

• Experience directing campus security officer programs (non-sworn) in academic settings preferred.

• Experience leading strategic initiatives and responding to emerging trends preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• High integrity, emotional maturity, and discretion with confidential information required

• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; effective work with diverse communities required

• Coalition-building across departments and external partners; strong influence skills required

• Clear written and verbal communication; concise presentations to leadership required

• Expert knowledge of enterprise physical security systems (access control, CCTV/VMS, alarms/duress, PSIM/integrations) required

• Understanding of ASIS standards, CPTED, risk assessment, architecture, and lifecycle planning required

• Experience supporting Clery Act and HIPAA-related security requirements (PCI-DSS not in scope) required

• Vendor/contract management, budgeting, and multi-project oversight required

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Adult CPR/First Aid/AED (within 60 days of hire) required

• Certified Protection Professional (CPP) preferred on hire; required within 12–18 months of employment

• NCS4 Certified Sport Security Professional (CSSP) preferred

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.

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Learn. Discover. Heal. Create.

Located in western New York, Rochester is our namesake and our home. One of the world’s leading research universities, Rochester has a long tradition of breaking boundaries—always pushing and questioning, learning and unlearning. We transform ideas into enterprises that create value and make the world ever better.

If you’re looking for a career in higher education or health care, the University of Rochester may offer the perfect opportunity for your background and goals.

At the University of Rochester, we are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture and are united by a strong commitment to be ever better—Meliora. It is an ideal that informs our shared mission to ensure all members of our community feel safe, respected, included, and valued.