Job Description
Company Description
Job Title: Director of Security and Public Safety
Job Code: 0923 Temporary Exempt, Category 18 (3-year duration)
Location: The War Memorial & Performing Arts Center
Application Opening: November 4, 2025
Application Deadline: Apply Immediately. Application filing will be open through Tuesday, December 2, 2025 and will close thereafter.
Salary Range: Compensation for this classification is dependent on experience and may range from $144,560 - $213,512.
Recruitment ID: RTF0161123-01120754
ABOUT THE SAN FRANCISCO WAR MEMORIAL & PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
The San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center, a monument to San Francisco veterans and the birthplace of the United Nations, is the civic home of the arts in San Francisco. Our mission is to provide access to the arts for the community, generating fond memories and a desire to return for all.
Comprised of the War Memorial Opera House, Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall, Herbst Theatre, The Green Room, The Wilsey Center (Atrium Theater, Education Studio), and Harold L. Zellerbach Rehearsal Hall, the San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center is a landmark cultural institution owned and operated by the City and County of San Francisco. These uniquely beautiful performing arts venues have a combined capacity of over 7000 seats, and make the War Memorial a primary destination for worldclass entertainment in the Bay Area.
Overview
The Director of Security and Public Safety is a strategic leader responsible for the comprehensive oversight and administration of security operations for a prestigious, worldclass performing arts center. This role requires a visionary approach to security management, ensuring the safety and security of the campus through innovative solutions and strategic partnerships. Position requires a demonstrated work ethic, and a significant level of professionalism, trust, discretion and integrity. The Director will engage with a diverse array of stakeholders, including the public, arts organizations, tenants, staff, trustees, outside contract partners, and city departments.
Please read all information thoroughly before applying
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Security Leadership: Develop and implement a forwardthinking security strategy for all buildings, grounds, and events. Lead a diverse workforce, including Permanent Civil Service, Temporary Exempt, PartTime/AsNeeded, and Contract staff.
- Risk Management and Emergency Preparedness: Design and enforce advanced safety protocols and emergency procedures. Lead comprehensive risk assessments, investigations, and incident resolution initiatives.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Act as the principal liaison for public agencies, dignitaries, board members, and private security details. Build and maintain strategic relationships with key external partners, including SFPD, SFFD, and Veterans Affairs.
- Operational Excellence: Ensure the operational readiness of security personnel, oversee scheduling, and manage the security divisions budget. Develop and enforce robust safety and security policies and procedures.
- Talent Management: Supervise, evaluate, and develop security staff. Implement standard operating procedures and training programs. Together with Human Resources, address employee relations and labor management issues with strategic insight.
- Innovative Project Management: Lead and oversee critical projects such as integrated radio communication systems, campuswide video monitoring, emergency response systems, and advanced patron screening technology.
Impact on Operations
- Operational Continuity: Ensure seamless operations by maintaining a secure environment, allowing performances and events to proceed without disruption.
- Enhanced Safety: Implement proactive measures to mitigate risks, enhancing the safety and wellbeing of patrons, staff, and performers.
- Crisis Management: Provide strategic leadership during emergencies, ensuring swift and effective responses that minimize operational impact.
- Reputation Management: Uphold the campuss reputation by ensuring high standards of security, fostering trust and confidence among stakeholders and staff.
- Efficiency and Productivity: Optimize security operations to support overall campus efficiency, contributing to a positive and productive environment.
Crisis Management
- Emergency Response Leadership: Act as the Incident Commander during emergencies, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure a unified and effective response.
- Crisis Communication: Develop and implement crisis communication plans to ensure timely and accurate information dissemination to all stakeholders, including staff, patrons, and media.
- Training and Drills: Conduct regular emergency response drills and training sessions for security personnel and other staff to ensure preparedness for various crisis scenarios.
- Resource Coordination: Mobilize and coordinate resources, including personnel, equipment, and external support, to manage and mitigate the impact of crises.
- PostIncident Analysis: Lead postincident reviews to evaluate the effectiveness of the response, identify areas for improvement, and implement corrective actions.
- Business Continuity Planning: Develop and maintain business continuity plans to ensure the campus can quickly resume normal operations following a crisis.
Financial and Budget Acumen
- Strategic Financial Planning: Develop and manage the security divisions budget, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and financial constraints.
- Cost Management: Implement costeffective measures and strategies to optimize resource allocation and reduce operational expenses without compromising security standards.
- Financial Analysis: Conduct detailed financial analyses to forecast budgetary needs, identify costsaving opportunities, and ensure efficient use of funds.
- Reporting and Compliance: Prepare comprehensive financial reports and ensure compliance with all relevant financial regulations and policies.
- Vendor and Contract Management: Oversee contracts with external vendors, ensuring costeffective and highquality service delivery.
Unique Aspects of the Role
- World Class Performing Arts Center: Operate within a renowned performing arts campus with a rich history and cultural heritage.
- Strategic Leadership: Lead a multifaceted team of security professionals and collaborate with a wide array of stakeholders.
- HighProfile Interaction: Engage with public agencies, dignitaries, and highprofile patrons, ensuring seamless security operations.
- Innovative Initiatives: Drive the implementation of stateoftheart security projects and technologies.
- Integrate radio communications to improve coordination across security staff, ushers, external staff and licensee companies.
- Install Comprehensive campuswide video monitoring system (security cameras).
- Implement Campuswide emergency response system.
- Evolve Patron Screening System Implementation.
- Update comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures.
- Fully implement and integrate Power DMS System.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification. May include additional duties as assigned.
- Education: Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; AND
- Experience: A minimum of five years of professional security management experience. Experience in residential security cannot be used to qualify.
- Education Substitution: Additional experience may be substituted for the required degree on a yearforyear basis (up to a maximum of two (2) years). One (1) year is equivalent to thirty (30) semester units/fortyfive (45) quarter units.
- Experience Substitution: Possession of a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or masters degree may substitute for one (1) year of the required professional experience.
- Verification: Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process.
License and Certification
- Valid California drivers license.
Physical Requirements
- Agility and Stamina: Ability to enforce security regulations and apprehend individuals involved in acts of vandalism or seeking illegal entry.
- Mobility: Ability to stand (up to 75% of shift), walk (up to 75%), climb stairs (up to 25%), bend and twist (up to 25%), and briskly jog during emergencies (5%).
- Strength: Ability to twist, push, pull, or lift at least 50 lbs.
- Emergency Response: Capability to perform strenuous physical activities related to responding to emergencies or alarms, such as building evacuations during fires, and assisting injured persons.
Working Conditions
- Consistent, reliable, and predictable onsite presence. Availability for evening and weekend events, as well as emergency response outside regular hours.
Additional Information
Desirable Qualifications
- Performing Arts, Sports, or Entertainment Venue Experi]]>
Job Tags
Permanent employment, Full time, Contract work, Temporary work, Part time, Immediate start, Shift work, Weekend work, Afternoon shift,