Head of Security and Safety at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston in Houston, TX

Summary:

The Head of Security and Safety (HSS) for the MFAH is the highest-level member of senior management directly responsible for the organization's entire security and safety functions. The HSS reports to the COO and will be responsible for the organizations' physical security and safety needs along with our digital/electronic security requirements. The HSS will remain proactive and vigilant to prepare the organization for all relevant threats and will institute appropriate security and safety protocols and programs. It is critically important for this role to ensure a high level of customer service and a positive experience for all museum visitors and affiliates.

A major part of the HSS’s role will be to forge strong and effective coordination and communication between departments to ensure smooth and efficient day-to-day operations along with a calm and effective approach to urgent security matters combined with our emergency preparedness efforts and ultimately, implementation in a time of need.

Job Description and Primary Responsibilities:

The HSS will be responsible for effective policy development, enhancement, and compliance enabling the protection of all the organization's assets.

The HSS will continuously assess security and safety threats to the Museum and will plan and implement appropriate strategies and countermeasures.

Scope of responsibility includes physical security and safety, security related investigations, security system certification and inspections, security and safety operations, crisis management operations, coordinating dignitary protection, and security and safety awareness and training.

The HSS must identify and prioritize organizational protection goals and objectives in collaboration with executives, and ensure they are consistent with MFAH’s needs and operational plans.

The HSS will oversee a team of more than 150 Security Officers, Gallery Attendants, and third-party providers, including off duty law enforcement, at multiple Museum properties (three public campus locations and one school).

The HSS will work with local, state and federal law enforcement and will be responsible for developing and enhancing relationships with other museum security groups.

The HSS will establish, track and manage security costs and budgets

Position Code:

Member of Senior Management team.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This is a role of influence and leadership. As the head of the department and a key representative of the organization, internally and externally, the HSS will directly manage, guide, counsel and lead supervisors and a staff of 150+ security professionals and contract security team members.

An effective individual in this role will have a sphere of influence on a daily basis that includes internal staff, external partners and guests.

Essential Job Duties:

These job duties listed are representative of the work performed by the HSS. Not all duties are included and other tasks may be assigned as needed.

Sets the tone and models exceptional leadership behavior in terms of customer service, inclusivity and ambassadorship for the security team;
Ensures uncompromised customer service and welcoming visitor experience through a skilled and well-trained team of Security Managers and Gallery Attendants.
Develops and updates policies and procedures regarding areas such as business continuity planning, loss prevention and fraud prevention;
Oversees the design and implementation of preventative security and safety standards, procedures, and programs;
Coordinate security recommendations and implementation of access control, CCTV and other physical and technical security measures for all campus wide facilities;
Maintains relationships with law enforcement at various levels and other government agencies;
Key member of crisis management team;
Serves as the primary point of contact with local-country and host-country intelligence and investigative agencies;
Responsible for the physical security and safety of employees, visitors and museum assets through utilization of proprietary and contract staff on a 24/7 basis;
Responsible for implementing and providing guidance to management on security issues such as security education, security investigations, campus access and control;
Provides guidance, solutions, and resources for all MFAH staff and affiliates regarding security procedural issues or incidents and ensures the adherence to all MFAH security procedures, policies and processes;
Responsible for the development and successful implementation of all training programs for security personnel and other MFAH staff members as it relates to security and safety-relevant programs;
Directs the investigation of security breaches;
Participates in disciplinary decisions relating to security breaches in collaboration with executives and Human Resources;
Will brief management and/or prepare a wide range of reports and/or recommendations for preventative or corrective actions in areas requiring specific security and/or safety related expertise on related issues;
Will apply advanced subject matter knowledge to manage staff activities in solving common business and technical issues within established Manages non-exempt/exempt individual contributors and or supervisors;
Plans, directs and monitors operational and tactical activities of staff;
Responsible for performance reviews, promotional decisions and pay actions for support levels;
Responsible for enforcing safety procedures, supporting parking security operations, restricted access issues, coordinating response to duress alarms, returning personal property to terminated employees and security related repairs by outside vendors;
Identify opportunities to reduce potential WPV through observations and assessment.

Additional Duties:

Reports frequently to executive management;
Make presentations to senior management, executive management and Board of Directors as needed or required;
Develop and maintain cross-sector partnerships with appropriate government agencies and officials that support and responsible for Critical Infrastructure Protection which includes local law enforcement agencies as well state and federal agencies who can share critical intelligence and analyses;
Develop and maintain effective partnerships with peer industry security professionals.

Job Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Some knowledge in all of the areas listed will be required with considerable knowledge required at the experienced level, and thorough knowledge is required at the advanced level.

A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience, including at least five years security and/or law enforcement with supervisory experience leading a team of security professionals;
Security leadership experience in a public venue or hospitality environment preferred;
Proven professionalism with guests and associates required;
Previous success with assessing needs and implementing training and related security protocols;
Ability to listen, influence and impact others, participate in and facilitate group meetings, and work as part of a team to reach consensus and achieve goals;
Knowledge of investigative management as it pertains to incidents and personnel;
Ability to handle multiple initiatives simultaneously and frequently changing priorities;
Advanced conflict management and proven de-escalation and negotiation skills required;
Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record;
Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills;
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), Internet, e- mail, database, spreadsheet, and presentation experience;
Should possess working knowledge of global current events and global geography/cultures;
Must have extensive and advanced knowledge of risk and security industry standards;
Must have proven track record of ability to successfully analyze and resolve complex security, safety and risk problems;
Strong investigations background.

Additional

Action oriented (Proactive – don’t )
Results driven (Stretch goals and )
Operational focus and mindset towards fairness and equity towards direct reports (“WE” - not “I” approach and understanding to personnel )
Ability (combined with energy and interest!) to apply ingenuity and originality

Education:

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field OR an equivalent combination of experience and education from which comparable and demonstrable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Experience:

Previous security leadership experience required – A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience, including at least five years of high-level security and/or law enforcement supervisory experience leading a (large) team of security professionals.

Special Requirements, Licenses, Certifications:

Candidates should possess continued education credentials/certificates such as:

NIMS course completion
ASIS certifications (APP, CPP, PSP, PCI)
Public safety
CISM, CISSP or ISSMP

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

The MFAH is an organization comprised of 600+ employees and 1,000+ docents and volunteers. The museum is more than 100 years old and ranks nationally among the top 10 art museums in exhibition space, memberships, endowments, and attendance, with 1M visitors annually. Our multifaceted institution includes multiple gallery buildings, a sculpture garden, two art schools, and two house museums for decorative arts. The encyclopedic collection numbers more than 65,000 works of art in a wide range of media. The HSS will have 24/7 responsibility for all of the above.

Work will be performed in varied and wide-ranging indoor and outdoor environments and conditions. Physical demands will also vary. Work may involve extended sitting and computer use. Evening and weekend work required including at events. Some local, regional, national travel may be required.

Work and Culture at the MFAH - Benefits Offered

Medical, Vision and Dental Insurance
Life and Long Term Disability Insurance
MFAH Retirement Savings Plan (403b)
Flexible Spending Plans
Paid Time Off, Reserve Time Off, Volunteer Time Off, Holiday Pay
Museum Membership and Discounts

Equal Opportunities for All

At the MFAH, we believe that diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity are fundamental to our organization. We welcome all candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our organization and to our pledge for workplace diversity, inclusion, and excellence.

Our commitment to our policy and practice of nondiscrimination represents more than good intentions. It provides for employment decisions that are made without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law or any other reason unrelated to your ability to join and contribute to our organization and support our mission to provide a museum experience for all.

The MFAH is equally committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals interested in employment with the organization. As part of this commitment, we want to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation needed to 1) participate in the job application or 2) interview process; 3) perform essential job functions; and/or 4) participate in the benefits and privileges of employment with the MFAH. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the human resources department: HR@mfah.org

How to Apply

Please visit our site https://www.mfah.org/about/careers

Click on All Current Employment Opportunities to submit your resume or CV, cover letter and list of professional references for immediate consideration.

Please include information describing how you have validated any or all of the following in your career:

Action oriented (Proactive – don’t )
Results driven (Stretch goals and )
Operational focus and mindset towards fairness and equity towards direct reports (“WE” - not “I” approach and understanding to personnel )
Ability (combined with energy and interest!) to apply ingenuity and originality