Director of Public Safety

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice Provost for Facilities and Campus Services, the Director of Public Safety provides leadership and oversight to the day‑to‑day security in‑house and contracted services at all Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM) locations and represents the overall campus interest in security, public safety, and emergency response matters with senior administrators, local law enforcement, faculty, staff, students, community members, and others.

Collaborating within WCM and with other Cornell University campuses and peer institutions, the Director of Public Safety provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and administrative management of the WCM security, public safety, and emergency preparedness programs.

Key responsibilities include working collaboratively with departmental and central stakeholders, as well as external partner institutions, to provide emergency preparedness and institutional response. The ideal candidate will lead the development, implementation, and oversight of standardized policies, procedures, and documentation related to these efforts across Weill Cornell Medicine.

Job Responsibilities

• Conducts strategic planning and develops roadmaps to foster continuous improvement in alignment with industry best practices.
• Develops and implements best practices, policies, and awareness around safety education, security technology, crime prevention, investigations, training, emergency response, and enforcement.
• Actively participates within the Campus Safety and Security Committee, Emergency Management Committee, and Communications Taskforce. Works with all stakeholders and directly oversees the compliance and reporting for the Annual Campus Security report.
• Updates and represents WCM’s security program at collaborative meetings with other Cornell campuses and peer institutions.
• Directs, plans, and manages all aspects of the medical college’s public safety and security program. Manages the in‑house team as well as all contracted services.
• Oversees the access control, CCTV, keying and credentialing, panic alarms, weapons detection, and related technology programs.
• Conducts physical threat, vulnerability, and risk assessments of various locations. Reviews proposed security related designs and processes for new locations and renovations. Implements mitigation strategies to reduce risk and enhance security.
• Identifies and evaluates emerging technologies and tools for improving safety and security. Obtains pricing and creates budgets for implementing these enhancements.
• Leads preparedness, mitigation, continuity, and recovery with respect to physical security and emergency events and incidents. Partners with WCM Emergency Managers to conduct training and tabletop drills.
• Builds and maintains strong professional relationships with the WCM community, service providers, consultants, local law enforcement, and regulatory agencies.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders within EHS and across ITS, Risk Management, Operations, Legal, Compliance, and other functions, serving as a trusted advisor and providing constructive challenges and oversight of Public Safety plans and initiatives.
• Foster a collaborative, purposeful environment that emphasizes continuous improvement and shared accountability.
• Support the Assistant Vice Provost for Facilities and Campus Services in building and developing a high‑performing, enterprise‑wide team.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice, security management, emergency management, security administration or related field

Experience

• Minimum of 8 to 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in law enforcement, campus security, healthcare security, emergency management, or related field.
• At least 5 to 8 years in a managerial or supervisory capacity. Experience in an urban and residential campus is preferred.
• Experience with crisis management and emergency communications and associated software platforms used for timely warnings, alerts, and mass notification.
• Experience in working with New York City area agencies (e.g., NYPD, FDNY, OEM, NYS agencies) is strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough understanding of higher education security principles, emergency management frameworks, and public safety technologies.
• Working knowledge of federal and New York State laws and regulations related to campus security, including Clery, FOIL, FERPA, OSHA, and applicable civil rights and labor laws.
• Strong leadership, decision‑making, collaboration, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of Business Continuity Management frameworks.
• Strong background in Public Safety and Emergency Management.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills and the ability to interface with all levels of management.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, and Project Management applications).

Licenses and Certifications

• Have a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Security / Law Enforcement training and certification(s) is preferred.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

• Full time, on campus position within an urban academic medical environment with 24/7 operations.
• On‑call and first call availability for emergencies and critical incidents.

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world‑class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “any person, any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.