Director, Safety

Reporting to the Associate Vice-President General Counsel the Director Safety provides leadership and strategic direction for Sheridans community safety and security functions including leadership and expertise for the development of programs policies and process improvements and for ensuring compliance with legislative regulatory and contract terms. The Director provides oversight through the Manager Safety Operations for contracted security services and provides guidance to the Sheridan community on unique complex or problematic situations that may threaten the safety and welfare of students and employees. The Director engages stakeholders and deploys programs to safeguard the Sheridan Community (students employees and visitors) as well as protecting Sheridans physical assets. The Director develops productive relationships with all constituencies including regional police provincial ministries and local government and regularly consults with students administrators and functional departments to obtain input on community safety planning and feedback regarding the quality of services provided.

What Youll Be Doing

• Providing leadership for Sheridans safety portfolio by directing and supporting strategic and operational initiatives including short-term and long-term planning to meet objectives;
• Continually evaluating safety processes and contributing to the creation of policies and procedures as a subject matter expert to ensure ongoing effectiveness of Sheridans safety operations;
• Facilitating a continuing and inclusive dialogue about safety with the Sheridan community and promoting knowledge of the policies;
• Overseeing departmental budget and ensuring departmental compliance with legal and policy directives;
• Providing operational direction through knowledge of best practices in the realms of security technology and security infrastructure (e.g. access control and video surveillance systems);
• Acting as first responder to significant institutional safety and security incidents as needed and providing oversight on coordination with municipal emergency responders;
• Overseeing security investigations and collaborating with other College departments;
• Coordinating special contingency plans in collaboration with the AVP General Counsel and/or local law enforcement to mitigate the impact of emerging risks;
• Conducting research and environmental scans to identify emerging threats and vulnerabilities that have the potential to impact the safety of the Sheridan community;
• Chairing Threat Assessment Committee and administering Threat Assessment Policy and Procedure;
• Establishing and enhancing strategic internal and external partnerships that enhance campus safety in particular the police in the regions of Halton and Peel and other emergency responders to develop collaborative safety solutions;
• Liaising with Sheridan departments to facilitate coordinated and effective service delivery and leading or participating as a member of College committees and task forces;
• Engaging and collaborating with community members and partners on reciprocal situational awareness and best practices;
• Supporting Sheridans role as an anchor institution as it pertains to community safety;
• Performing other related duties and initiatives as required.

About You

You are well versed in emergency response measures and principles and have thorough knowledge of safety security and threat assessment principles.

You have a commitment to advancing equity diversity and inclusivity and recognize and value the diverse and intersectional identities of our community and promote a sense of belonging.

You are a self-directed natural leader with a highly collaborative spirit which combined with your keen interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills empowers you to build positive and collaborative relationships lead develop and motivate staff create and maintain a positive organizational culture.

You exercise sound judgment diplomacy discretion and sensitivity to confidentiality and privacy and can handle stressful situations make decisions negotiate and handle all levels of conflict in a time sensitive environment.

You embrace creativity and innovation and your keen change leadership skills enable you to lead and manage change successfully.

You value diverse perspectives welcome an open approach to consultation and problem solving and navigate decision-making fairly and respectfully.

You have a solid understanding of emerging issues in post-secondary institutions (e.g. student mental health).

The successful candidate will also meet the following qualifications:

• 4-year bachelors degree in security studies Public Safety Police Studies Emergency Management the Social Sciences or other related field; MA in Security Studies Community Safety or related field (preferred)
• 9 years of experience in community safety and mobilization of security personnel (Equivalency to be considered)
• At least one of the following:
  • On-scene Incident/Command structures Non-violent crisis Intervention Certified Protection Professional (CPP)
  • Physical Security Professional (PSP) Professional Certified Investigator (PCI)
  • Behavioural Intervention or Threat Assessment (i.e. NABITA or Protect International) Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)
• Trained in mediation de-escalation tactics or conflict resolution
• Thorough knowledge and comprehension of applicable legislation regulations standards professional principles and practices (e.g. Building and Fire Code the Criminal Code of Canada Provincial Statutes Municipal by-laws)
• Clear understanding of powers of arrest charter of rights breach of peace rights of arrested persons and difference between civil and criminal offences
• Familiarity with the Province of Ontario Use of Force Model and the Police Services Act
• Cultural acuity knowledge of EDI principles and experience working in an institution that develops programs and processes through an EDI lens
• Experience building/maintaining internal/external community partner relationships
• Budget and financial acumen
• Training and/or experience in adult instruction and learning techniques
• Solid technical knowledge of security and alarm systems as well as electronic access systems (preferred)
• Related security background (preferred)
• Knowledge of police tactical operations and response to chemical biological radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incidences (preferred)
• Experience managing security teams/staff and delivering security programs to a diverse community group (preferred)

Who We Are:

Every member of the Sheridan community is passionate about the transformational role we play in peoples lives. Our strategic plan Sheridan 2027: Forging the Future ( charts a path towards a new ground-breaking model of higher education that reshapes post-secondary education and better prepares students for the future. We are committed to demonstrably advancing equity diversity and inclusivity. Diversity is our strength and fuels our commitment to excellence. Across our campuses were making meaningful strides towards developing an equitable and inclusive community.

• For more information visit: Why Work at Sheridan

Other Details
Department: Office of General Counsel
Primary Work/Campus Location: Davis (may be assigned activities at any Sheridan campus)
Work Categorization: Hybrid On-site at least 3 days/week
Reference #: J1125-0241
Employee Group: Administrative
Payband: NO
Salary Range: $126723 - $158403
Application Deadline: November 30 2025

First Nations peoples have lived on this part of Turtle Island for millennia stewarding the land the water and all that contributes to life in this region. Today the culture and presence of First Nations Inuit and Metis peoples enrich the lands and people of this territory.

Over two centuries ago the Mississauga people welcomed settlers to this territory providing sustenance and engaging in trade and commerce. Between 1781 to 1820 eight treaties were signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation who opened their territory to Sheridan campuses are located on Treaty 14 also known as the Head of the Lake Purchase of 1806 and Treaty 22 and 23 of 1820.

Treaty history is foundational and it is our collective responsibility to honour the land as we honour and respect those who have gone before us those who are here and those who have yet to come. We are grateful for the opportunity to be learning working and thriving on this land and we commit to learn the truth and be active in the process of reconciliation.

Sheridan values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students faculty and staff. Sheridan regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. Sheridan seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity anti-racism and inclusion. As such we encourage applications from qualified candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized including those who identify as First Nations Métis and/or Inuit/Inuk Black members of racialized communities persons with disabilities women and/or 2SLGBTQ.

Sheridan is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application interview or workplace accommodation requests please contact Human Resources.

You may be asked to provide copies of your educational credentials at the time of interview. Upon hire we require official confirmation of educational credentials and Canadian equivalency assessments if applicable.