The Executive Director for Campus Safety, Security, and Emergency Management serves as the College’s senior safety officer and provides executive leadership for a comprehensive, institution-wide approach to campus safety, risk mitigation, emergency preparedness, and crisis response. This role is responsible for ensuring that Stephens College maintains a safe, secure, and resilient campus environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

The Executive Director reports directly to the Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations (EVP) and maintains a secondary (dotted line) reporting relationship to the President. The Executive Director advises the EVP and the President on matters related to campus safety, environmental health and safety, regulatory compliance, and institutional risk management.

The Executive Director oversees all campus safety operations and serves as the College’s Chief Emergency Management Officer. The role ensures that the College is prepared to prevent, respond to, and recover from critical incidents through effective planning, training, and partnerships with local and regional public safety agencies.

Position Responsibilities:

I. Provide executive leadership and drive institutional safety by embedding campus safety and emergency preparedness into the mission of the college, protecting its community and institutional success.

• Provide strategic leadership for the College’s campus safety, security, and emergency preparedness programs.
• Advise the EVP and the President on safety risks, emerging threats, and institutional preparedness.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive safety and risk mitigation strategy aligned with the College’s mission and operational priorities.
• Serve as a key member of the College’s crisis leadership team and support institutional decision-making during emergencies and critical incidents.
• Provide regular briefings and reports to the President and EVP regarding campus safety conditions, risks, and preparedness initiatives.

II. Support the college’s operational continuity through effective oversight of campus safety and security operation, ensuring a safe learning and working environment.

• Provide oversight and leadership of the College’s campus safety department, including patrol operations, dispatch, incident response, and security services.
• Ensure effective 24/7 safety coverage across campus facilities, residence halls, and campus events.
• Oversee security technologies including surveillance systems, access control systems, alarm monitoring, and emergency notification platforms.
• Direct safety planning and staffing for campus events and large gatherings.
• Monitor campus safety data and crime trends to identify risks and implement proactive prevention strategies.

III. Establish emergency preparedness by establishing robust plans, protocols, and leadership structures that enable rapid, coordinated, and effective responses to crises.

• Serve as the College’s Chief Emergency Management Officer.
• Develop, maintain, and lead implementation of the College’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and related emergency response protocols.
• Implement and manage an Incident Command System (ICS) structure for campus emergencies consistent with FEMA’s National Incident Management System (NIMS).
• Coordinate emergency response across campus departments during critical incidents and serve as a key operational leader during emergencies.
• Lead campus-wide emergency preparedness efforts including training programs, drills, and tabletop exercises.
• Maintain strong partnerships with local police, fire departments, emergency medical services, and regional emergency management agencies.
• Ensure emergency communication systems and notification procedures are maintained, tested, and effective

IV. Proactively manage risks and maintain regulatory compliance to protect the well-being of students, staff, and visitors ensuring a safe and complaint campus.

• Provide institutional oversight for environmental health and safety (EHS) programs, including building safety, life safety systems, environmental hazards, and workplace safety protocols.
• Collaborate with Facilities leadership to ensure safe building operations and compliance with applicable safety regulations.
• Oversee policies and procedures related to environmental hazards, fire safety, air quality, and related safety concerns.
• Support campus preparedness for health and environmental emergencies and ensure appropriate response protocols are in place.

V. Maintain a safe and supportive environment by proactively identifying and addressing potential risks before they escalate.

• Collaborate with the College’s Behavioral Intervention / Threat Assessment Team.
• Develop and implement proactive strategies to identify and address potential threats to campus safety.
• Collaborate with Student Engagement, Human Resources, Counseling Services, and other offices to ensure coordinated responses to concerning behavior.
• Promote a culture of prevention and early intervention across the campus community.

VI. Ensure the college meets all legal and ethical obligations, protecting the institution from liability and fostering transparency and accountability in campus safety practices.

• Ensure institutional compliance with federal and state safety regulations, including the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act).
• Oversee preparation and publication of the College’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.
• Maintain policies and procedures related to campus crime reporting, emergency notifications, and incident documentation.
• Monitor regulatory changes related to campus safety and recommend policy updates to ensure compliance.
• Coordinate with Title IX, Student Engagement and Human Resources on safety-related reporting and investigations when appropriate.

VII. Ensure accurate, timely information reaches all stakeholders during emergencies, supporting safety, transparency, and trust across the campus community.

• Coordinate closely with the EVP, President’s Office and College communications staff during campus emergencies.
• Ensure clear, accurate, and timely safety communications to students, faculty, staff, and families during emergencies and critical incidents.
• Assist senior leadership in developing crisis communication strategies during campus emergencies.
• Support transparency and community trust through effective communication during and after incidents.

VIII. Proactively identify and address vulnerabilities, ensuring the college can withstand and recover from disruptions while maintaining a safe and stable environment.

• Collaborate with senior leadership to identify and mitigate operational and environmental risks impacting campus safety.
• Partner with Facilities, Student Engagement, and other campus departments to maintain safe physical environments across campus.
• Support institutional business continuity planning and recovery efforts.
• Develop strategies to strengthen the College’s overall resilience and readiness for future emergencies.

IX. Align safety operations and community values by ensuring the department has qualified, well-trained personnel and effective resource management tools.

• Recruit, supervise, train, and evaluate campus safety and emergency management personnel.
• Develop and manage departmental budgets and oversee investments in safety technologies and infrastructure.
• Foster a community-oriented approach to safety that emphasizes professionalism, accountability, and service.
• Maintain operational metrics and reporting systems to assess safety performance and continuous improvement.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, emergency management, public administration, related field, or equivalent work experience
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in campus safety, law enforcement, emergency management, or security administration.
• Valid driver's license and the ability to operate a college vehicle. Must meet and maintain Stephens Driver Qualification and Vehicle Policy. Must be able to acquire a Missouri Class E Driver’s License. (Stephens College funded)
• Demonstrated experience leading safety operations and managing crisis response.
• Strong knowledge of Clery Act compliance and campus safety regulatory frameworks.
• Experience developing and implementing emergency operations plans.
• Experience collaborating with local law enforcement and emergency response agencies.
• Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in emergency management, public administration, higher education leadership, or related field.
• Senior leadership experience in higher education campus safety.
• FEMA training and certification in NIMS/ICS emergency management frameworks.
• Experience leading behavioral threat assessment programs.
• Experience overseeing environmental health and safety programs.

Core Competencies

• Crisis leadership and emergency decision-making
• Strategic risk management and institutional preparedness
• Regulatory compliance and policy development
• Collaborative leadership and partnership building
• Community-centered safety practices
• Data-informed safety planning and prevention

Work Environment

This position requires the ability to respond to campus emergencies outside standard working hours. The Executive Director must be available to coordinate response efforts and provide leadership during critical incidents affecting the campus community.

Founded in 1833, Stephens College is the second-oldest women's college in the United States, dedicated to providing innovative, experiential, and career-focused education across various disciplines. Located in Columbia, Missouri, Stephens College continues to be a leader in women's education, fostering a community where students are empowered to lead, innovate, and excel. The college also provides flexible, co-educational master’s degrees and certificates for working professionals, and is home to the co-educational Conservatory for the Performing Arts at Stephens College.

Ranked (over and over again) as one of the best college towns in America, Columbia, Missouri, is home to 36,000+ college students and 118,000 residents. Columbia — conveniently located approximately 100 miles from both Kansas City and St. Louis — has it all: big-time college sports, film, music and arts festivals, a high-energy arts community, amazing recreation, and a great downtown with lots of places to eat, shop, snack and check out the latest bands. The Columbia community offers outstanding health care options, as well as excellent educational opportunities for every level of student (including our own Children’s School).

Stephens offers an attractive benefits package that includes health insurance, an Employee Assistance Program, Supplemental Retirement Annuity, Faculty/Staff Grants, tuition waivers and tuition paid undergraduate classes for dependents.

Be a part of this amazing community of innovative thinkers, doers and dreamers.

Stephens is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will recruit and employ qualified personnel without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or status as a veteran.