Director of Security & Public Safety | Full-Time | Santa Clara Convention Center

Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development management and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential highest attended arenas convention centers music festivals performing arts centers and cultural institutions on the planet.

The Director of Security & Public Safety is responsible for developing implementing and managing all aspects of the public safety security transportation sheltering and emergency preparedness programs for Santa Clara Convention Center. Develops manages and maintains all life safety and prevention plans including venue and event-specific plans in accordance with all applicable federal state and city laws. Oversees and is responsible for the management of all full and part time security employees involved in the securing of property from pre to post event and securing Santa Clara Convention Center 24 hours a day seven days a week.

This role pays an annual salary of $125933 to $163713 and is bonus eligible

Benefits for Full-Time roles: Health Dental and Vision Insurance 401(k) Savings Plan 401(k) matching and Paid Time Off (vacation days sick days and 11 holidays)

This position will remain open until May 1 2026.

The Santa Clara Convention Center is proudly owned by The City of Santa Clara and proudly managed by Oak View Group. We are strategically located in the heart of Silicon Valley a prime location for conventions trade shows and exhibitions and the host to some of the top technology and trade events in the country. The Santa Clara Convention Center is minutes from hotels restaurants Levis Stadium Californias Great America Theme Park and many of the largest and most influential technology companies in the world with easy access to freeways and Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport and only 45 miles south of San Francisco.

The Convention Center features 100000 square feet of exhibit space a 22400 square foot ballroom 31 breakout rooms and a 607-seat theater and attracts over 350000 visitors annually. The facility is an integral economic component of Santa Clara generating economic benefits through attendee direct and indirect spending and sustaining over 500 local jobs. The convention center is also connected to the beautiful 500 room Hyatt Centric Santa Clara Silicon Valley. This luxury boutique hotel is a few minutes from San Jose Airport and numerous other major attractions.

• Plans develops organizes implements directs and evaluates the Public Safety and security needs of Santa Clara Convention Center.
• Proactively identifies opportunities to enhance public safety and security operations through continuous evaluation and improvement.
• Acts as the unifying focal point for all public safety and security related policy plans and operations for Santa Clara Convention Center.
• Establishes the appropriate levels of security for Santa Clara Convention Center and ensures all applicable security protocols are being enforced.
• Continues to review and update emergency plans and public safety/security policies and procedures.
• Responsible for evaluating and recommending all electronic security & safety systems for Santa Clara Convention Center that will enhance the overall quality and efficiency of security & safety technology programs.
• Remains current on issues regarding changes to technology and laws ordinances rules and /or procedures affecting the public safety/security industry to ensure compliance and the safety and security of staff guests and attendees.
• Develops establishes standards for public safety/security needs for Santa Clara Convention Center and on an event by event basis.
• Prior to during and following events works in conjunction with other departments clients and client contractors related to event security and public safety needs.
• Interprets public safety/security rules and procedures and directs subordinates in enforcing compliance.
• Responsible for assigning personnel as lead investigators relating to incidents requiring investigation at Santa Clara Convention Center.
• Maintains working knowledge of all event related security contracts approves event security staffing and cost estimates for show management and exhibitors and performs billing reviews.
• Responds to and/or assists subordinates in responding to emergency calls for service and acts as the Santa Clara Convention Centers Incident Commander when applicable.
• Conducts internal Santa Clara Convention Center investigations when necessary and documents findings.

Emergency Preparedness

• Engages in and is responsible for all emergency preparedness efforts directing the entire public safety department and Santa Clara Convention Center in the creation training and exercise of emergency and life safety plans procedures and protocols.
• Establishes and maintains partnerships with neighboring properties and emergency first responders with the Federal State and City agencies.
• Assess and develops emergency procedural plans and presents recommendations to the Santa Clara Convention Center leadership on an ongoing basis.
• Responsible for the overall development and management of Santa Clara Convention Center Emergency Preparedness strategies including the training of Santa Clara Convention Center personnel.
• Responsible for ensuring all Public Safety Department personnel (Full & Part Time) have a detail understanding of the Santa Clara Convention Centers Emergency Operations Procedures including but not limited to Venue Evacuation Procedures.
• Develops and enforces a schedule of inspection to ensure that all life safety and medical equipment is inspected in accordance with professional guidelines and applicable laws and ordinance
• Directs the inspection of the premises to test alarm systems detect safety hazards and to ensure that safety rules are posted and enforced.
• Ensures that the framework of national incident management system (NIMS) including Incident Command System (ICS) is being utilized during any emergency response on behalf of the Santa Clara Convention Center.

Risk Assessment

• Conducts threat/risk assessments of Santa Clara Convention Center to determine the vulnerabilities of the venue to include internal as well as external threats and potential for losses.
• Engages in threat mitigation strategies in order to eliminate and/or reduce the threats/ risks determined by such studies.
• Frequently communicates with insurance representatives in this area.
• Responsible for the ongoing intelligence collection threat vulnerability assessment and/ or any like methods required to protect Santa Clara Convention Center from a range of threats.

Operations

• Monitor and evaluate departmental operations with the aim of developing ideas and activities that will allow the staff to perform those functions in the most creative cost effective and economical method while ensuring that staff and security procedures within the Santa Clara Convention Center are responsive to the needs of the client.
• Prepares and monitors the Public Safety Capital & Operating budgets and forecasts needs and ensures compliance with organizational expenditures.

External Relations

• Acts as Santa Clara Convention Centers liaison with federal state and local law enforcement agencies fire EMS and civil defense agencies in order to coordinate operations detect and deter crime and terrorism and in order to prepare for and respond to emergencies at the Santa Clara Convention Center.
• Develops a working relationship with surrounding communities and facilities to respond effectively to emergencies which may from time-to-time impact Santa Clara Convention Center.
• In conjunction with the proper authorities direct activities during fires storms riots medical and other emergencies.
• Represents Santa Clara Convention Center with all public safety and security industry organizations addresses community issues and attendees relevant meetings as appropriate. This includes but is not limited to industry organizations such as ASIS ESCA IAVM IAEE and PCMA

Supervisory

• Directly manages and supervises all Public Safety employees.
• Direct oversight of third-party security services contractor for 24/7 and event based security operations. This includes efficient staffing levels and budget oversight.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with Oak View Groups policies and applicable laws.
• Responsibilities include interviewing hiring and training employees; planning assigning and directing work appraising performance; rewarding; disciplining employees in conjunction with Human Resources; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

• Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice or related field.
• 5-7 years of experience at a management level; significant experience in public safety; established extensive positive working relationships with all federal state and local law enforcement public safety and emergency medical personnel is highly desirable.
• Must have a strong understanding of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Incident Management System (NIMS) and demonstrate successful completion of Incident Command System
• Classes (ICS) 100/200/300.
• CPR; SIRA; AED; First Aid Certified; Convention Hospitality and/or Hotel industry experience would be helpful but not required;
• Must be a well-organized individual who is a team player and can relate to people at all levels of an organization;
• Proven participation or membership in industry organizations such as but not limited to ASIS ESCA IAVM IAEE and PCMA would be helpful but not required
• Extensive management level experience in the public safety and security areas.
• Understand interpret explain and apply federal state and local laws and regulations governing the conduct that affect security operations.
• Evaluate develop and implement management systems policies and controls.
• Exercise sound and expert independent judgement within general policy guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the local government entities clients and staff.
• Experience in the selection and management of third party security services contractor.
• Knowledge of modern security and safety procedures policies standard operating procedures and methods.
• Knowledge in planning and coordination of security and safety investigations.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of management and supervision.
• Knowledge of the convention meeting special events exhibition and trade show industry.
• Ability to define problems collect data establishes facts and draw valid conclusions within seconds if needed during extreme emergency situations.
• Ability to demonstrate emotional stability during periods of tension and stress while carrying out assigned duties.
• Ability to recognize emergency situations and direct prompt and effective corrective measures.
• Ability to express ideas and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Possess excellent interpersonal communication written customer service and problem-solving skills in dealing with guests clients employees contractors and external organizations.
• Is flexible and committed to excellence in customer service.
• Develop augment implement and maintain industry best practices rules policies and procedures.

At OVG we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation strengthens ourpeople improves ourservice and raises ourexcellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (protected class) including but not limited to veteran status uniform service member status race color religion sex national origin age physical or mental disability genetic information or any other protected class under federal state or local law.