Director of Safety and Security (Job ID: 2026-3848) in Washington, District of Columbia at The Brookings Institution

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The Director of Safety and Security will develop, implement, and maintain policies, practices, internal and external relationships that seek to ensure the physical safety of the Institution’s employees, affiliates, distinguished visitors (DVs), and guests both on and off the Brookings campus. Responsibilities include leadership of all aspects of Institutional security, safety, and threat management, including event security, travel safety, risk monitoring, staff training, and oversight and management of security personnel via a contract provider.

General Security, Safety, and Threat Management (50%)

• Responsible and accountable for leading and executing a security and risk management program as well as enhancing a robust security approach to identify risks, develop innovative and effective risk mitigation strategies, and play an important leadership role in crisis management; would typically work closely and partner with the Director of Facilities Operations in fulfillment of these responsibilities and create collaborative relationships with program and business unit leaders.

• Investigates any safety or security related incidents; recommends changes to current security and safety-related policies and programs as circumstances evolve and conditions change.

• Manages contract and relationship with external security staff provider; assesses and manages the quality of operations, support, and staffing provided by the external security partner; monitors staffing to confirm adequate coverage for all typical operating requirements.

• Creates and maintains relationships with Metropolitan Police Department, and other law enforcement associated with the District of Columbia, national and international law enforcement, and various US governmental agencies.

• Establishes and maintains strong networks with other think tanks, including both peer and neighboring institutions. Regularly participates in security-related meetings or groups with a National Capital Region or international focus in relation to Brookings and its operations.

• Assesses Brookings’s practices and policies to facilitate compliance with DC, federal standards, reporting, and/or insurance requirements.

• Develops and stewards the Institution’s security-related budget, including cost benefit analysis.

• Collaborates with Brookings Technology (BTech) around cybersecurity and Communication around social media monitoring. Works in tandem with these units to review potential online threats, scams, and dark web issues as they relate to a physical security impact.

• Manages and maintains proficiency on a variety of security, threat monitoring, and emergency communication platforms. Serves as the primary contact and has knowledge of administrative control functions for online security programs that support early assessment, threat mitigation, and response functions.

• Collaborates directly with Facilities team to inspect and identify potential safety hazards, assess and monitor CCTV capacity, access systems, and fire and life safety systems. Works collaboratively with Facilities around physical improvements to support safety and security.

• Leads the travel security program, including travel guidance policies and protocols for employees when their Brookings’s work takes them offsite. Collaborates closely with the Office of General Counsel on travel risk management.

Event Security (35%)

• Responsible for planning, evaluating, coordinating, and arranging for the security detail for events hosted by the Brookings Institution, either on- or off-site.

• Oversee and improves upon security protocols for all Brookings events.

• Conducts threat analysis and assesses security needs for all events, adjusting protocols when necessary, and considering issues such as the presence of VIP guests, controversial topics, and past protest activity targeting the event topic.

• Implements or adjusts security and protective intelligence measures to proactively assess potential threats and help mitigate risk factors.

• Coordinates closely with the Director of Facilities, plus the security vendor, the Central Communications events team, and event planners and hosts in the research programs, and across the Institution; serves as primary liaison to VIP/DV security detail, as applicable. Establishes primary and alternate routes for VIP/DV transportation to ensure safety, timeliness, and efficiency.

• Serves as the senior security presence at Brookings events and oversees security processes at events, as indicated by threat assessment. Works closely with internal teams and external security providers to coordinate real-time event security operations, including deployment of plainclothes and surge officers and VIP/DV protection logistics. Directly participates in event security staffing and support as necessary based on advanced planning and security reviews.

Staff Training and Communications (15%)

• Effectively communicates with and facilitates the flow of security-related information to staff, all security related partners, and the Institution’s external security team.

• Establish an understanding of physical security and crisis-related issues at all levels of the Institution and provide guidance and training to all Brookings departments and programs to identify and mitigate relevant risks; would typically work closely and partner with the Director of Facilities Operations in fulfillment of these responsibilities.

• Develops, implements, and oversees training programs, including annual emergency drills, tabletop exercises, and other best practice training to enhance knowledge about various scenarios across the employee base.

• Partners with the Human Resource Department on sensitive employee matters, as needed.