Director, Security Operations and Emergency Management

About Us

MacEwan University is where caring faculty help people connect their passions to their future paths. Located in the heart of Edmonton's diverse and dynamic downtown community, and on the traditional lands of Treaty 6 First Nations and homelands of the Métis people, MacEwan is known for exceptional undergraduate learning. With its dedication to teaching excellence, informed by scholarly research, innovation, and creative activity, MacEwan provides an exceptional collaborative and supportive learning environment with a commitment to human rights, environmental sustainability, and opportunities for community engagement. We are committed to creating an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and welcoming community for all peoples, cultures, and identities.

Our comprehensive undergraduate university offers 55 programs to more than 21,000 full- and part-time students in business, communications, community and human services, design, fine and performing arts, health, humanities, natural science, nursing, public safety, and social science. Through a wide array of experiential learning opportunities, and strategic relationships in the community, we partner with others to produce graduates of stature. Along with a robust grounding in their chosen disciplines, MacEwan students are given durable life skills that prepare them to take on the world.

Opportunity

MacEwan University is seeking a Director, Security Operations and Emergency Management for a full-time continuing opportunity with the Campus Safety and Security department.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Campus Safety and Security, you will provide operational leadership for campus security, emergency management, dispatch, preparedness, and incident response.

Working within the portfolio’s strategic direction, you will translate priorities into effective operational plans, service standards, procedures, training, and response frameworks that support a safe, secure, and resilient campus.

Leading the Security Operations and Emergency Management team, you will foster accountability, operational excellence, readiness, and continuous improvement. Through strong partnerships across the university and with external agencies, you will strengthen campus safety and resilience while serving as the critical link between strategic priorities and frontline operations. In this role, you will ensure teams have the clarity, resources, and tools required to respond effectively to risks, incidents, and emerging challenges with confidence and effectiveness.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing Security Operations and Emergency Management teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, service excellence, and continuous improvement;
• Overseeing the delivery of security operations, dispatch services, emergency preparedness, incident response, and emergency management programs;
• Directing operational planning, resource allocation, workforce planning, budgeting, and performance management to ensure effective and sustainable service delivery;
• Building and maintaining strong partnerships with university stakeholders, emergency responders, government agencies, and community partners to advance campus safety and preparedness;
• Providing leadership and support during significant incidents, emergencies, and Emergency Operations Centre activations, ensuring effective coordination and response;
• Overseeing security systems, risk assessment processes, crime prevention initiatives, safety awareness programs, and emergency preparedness training;
• Monitoring operational performance, analyzing trends and emerging risks, and implementing improvements that enhance service quality, readiness, and resilience;
• Ensuring compliance with legislation, regulatory requirements, university policies, and industry best practices related to security and emergency management; and
• Leading continuous improvement activities, including audits, exercises, after-action reviews, and policy and procedure development to strengthen operational effectiveness.

Skills

You will have:

• Advanced knowledge of security operations, security methodology, community policing principles, incident response, crime prevention, dispatch services, emergency management, and operational risk mitigation in a complex institutional environment;
• Strong working knowledge of applicable federal, provincial and municipal legislation and regulations;
• Proven leadership and people management skills, including the ability to lead through direct report managers who oversee supervisors and frontline teams;
• The established competence to set clear expectations, support manager decision-making, monitor performance, address operational issues, and promote accountability, consistency, and service quality;
• Excellent problem-solving and risk assessment skills, with a proven ability to identify, assess and mitigate threats and risks;
• The validated capability to manage sensitive, complex, or time-sensitive operational matters using sound judgment, discretion, procedural fairness, and appropriate escalation;
• The ability to communicate clearly and effectively with managers, supervisors, frontline staff, institutional partners, external agencies, and community members during routine operations, incidents, and emergency situations;
• Demonstrated effectiveness to build and maintain effective operational relationships with internal partners, law enforcement, emergency response agencies, social service agencies, post-secondary security colleagues, vendors, and community safety partners;
• Strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to manage competing operational priorities, respond to emerging issues, and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment; and
• The demonstrated commitment capability to be firm, calm, fair, authoritative, and service-focused when responding to incidents, leading teams, resolving issues, and engaging with members of the campus community.

Qualifications

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Criminology, Social Sciences, Public Administration, or related field.
• Currently or previously holding a Alberta Peace Officer appointment, or the eligibility to obtain an Alberta Peace Officer appointment within six (6) months of hire.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in security operations, public safety, law enforcement, peace officer operations, or a related operational environment, including at least 5 years in a management role.
• Certified Protection Professional (CPP) or Physical Security Professional (PSP) designation.
• Emergency management training or certification, such as Incident Command System training.
• A valid Standard First Aid and CPR certification.
• Experience working in a public sector, post-secondary, or similarly complex institutional environment would be considered an asset.
• Experience managing financial and human resources within approved authority would be considered an asset.
• Experience managing staff in a unionized environment would be considered an asset.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Position Requirements

• This position is on campus only.
• The successful incumbent will be required to obtain a Police Record Check with a Vulnerable Sector Check at their own cost.

Benefits

When you become part of the MacEwan University team, you will enjoy a competitive salary. Our total compensation package includes:

• Competitive base pay
• Generous vacation time
• Secure pension plan
• Flexible benefits package
• Continuous learning culture
• Opportunities for career growth

How to Apply

To apply, please head to our MacEwan University Opportunities Page, select the job opportunity and click Apply Now. If you require assistance, please contact us at careers@macewan.ca.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties when submitting your application, please try submitting through a different browser (i.e., Safari, Firefox, Chrome, etc.). If the issue persists, please send a screenshot of the error message to careers@macewan.ca so we can assist and ensure your application is received.

This position is included under the Out of Scope employee policy (D1015). Applications sourced through this process may be considered for similar opportunities within MacEwan University.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Diversity Statement

MacEwan University is committed to fostering the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion within our community, and we are dedicated to removing barriers that have been historically encountered and are currently experienced by some members of our society. We welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, visible minorities, women, persons with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, and members of all equity-deserving groups. We believe that the diversity of our students, staff, and faculty serves as a strength of our institution and benefit to society. We are committed to ensuring full and inclusive participation for all in our community.

Accessibility Statement

We strive to provide an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, beginning with the hiring process. If you require accommodation, we want to ensure you have the support you need to showcase your abilities. Please contact humanresources@macewan.ca and we will support you to the best of our ability.