Description

Emergency Management within VP Finance is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Director, Emergency Management.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Security & Emergency Management, the Director, Emergency Management is accountable for the day-to-day operational leadership, execution, and continuous improvement of the university's emergency management & business continuity programs. This includes responsibility for incident & crisis response, program implementation, and operational readiness across a large, complex campus environment. In absence of the Senior Director, the Director will be required to act in their capacity, including decision making, providing advisory support, and facilitating emergency response.

The Director serves as a key operational decision-maker during emergency and crisis situations, directing coordinated response efforts across Operational & Tactical response units, briefing and advising Senior Leaders for Strategic Response. The position oversees staffing, training, resource allocation, and system implementation, while fostering strong internal and external partnerships with university stakeholders and municipal and provincial agencies.

The typical hours of work for this position are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm. The Director must be available for emergency response and call out (24/7) beyond typical working hours. Potential job stressors include those associated with emergency response conditions, time critical deadlines, injury or fatality management, and legal ramifications related to issues or incidents.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

Leadership

• Full managerial authority for direct reports, including hiring, onboarding, coaching, development, performance management, and discipline up to termination.
• Support the Senior Director, Security & Emergency Management in resource planning and allocation to achieve strategic objectives.
• Provide expert leadership and consultation on emergency management; serve as senior liaison with response and regulatory agencies.
• Develop and monitor departmental KPIs, ensuring resources and benchmarks are met; align goals with university strategy.
• Lead the development and implementation of mass notification systems (e.g., building paging, emergency app).
• Oversee organizational structure and service delivery, including resource allocation, staff guidance, and operational priorities.
• Continuously assess and improve processes, systems, and internal controls.
• Mentor and coach response teams (FRT, IMTF, CMT) to support ongoing capability development.
• Lead and facilitate training for FRT, IMTF and CMT, including coordination with external partners (e.g., police, CEMA, insurers).

Administration/Communications

• Maintain effective working relationships with all levels of staff and management to share information, solicit input, and improve processes.
• Communicate effectively with senior members of all university departments to ensure participation in the programs within emergency management.
• Liaise with external departments, government bodies, and others for coordinating with municipal and provincial disaster and emergency response agencies.
• Build regular reports on activities, indicators and outcomes related to emergency management.
• Communicate effectively with senior leaders across the university to ensure participation in, and compliance with, emergency management programs.
• Represent the university as an industry leader in the field of emergency management through the preparation and delivery of presentations to industry groups such as CARA, CAUBO and other emergency and disaster conferences, participate in steering committees and Campus Alberta initiatives.
• Develop short and long-range plans for the continuous improvement of the emergency management program and forecast trends to meet financial obligations.

Management Systems and Compliance

• Responsible for the overall development, implementation, management and auditing of the university's emergency management program.
• Draft programs, plans and standard operating procedures related to emergency response and business continuity.
• Interpret and provide guidance for compliance with all applicable policies, legislation and regulations impacting emergency response and business continuity.
• Provide recommendations for improvements and work with management of the university faculties and departments to develop emergency response and business continuity plans.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• University degree in a related field; equivalent combinations of education and experience considered.
• Minimum 10 years emergency management experience, ideally in post-secondary settings, including 7+ years in progressive leadership roles within large, complex, multi-stakeholder organizations.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, including leaders and technical specialists.
• Experience responding to large scale/impact incidents in the roles of Incident Commander and Emergency Operations Centre Director.
• Required certifications: Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) or equivalent; Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) or equivalent; advanced Incident Command System (ICS 300/400).
• Demonstrated leadership of enterprise-wide emergency management and business continuity programs across multi-site environments, including pandemic or large-scale disruption planning.
• Proven ability to advise executive leadership during major incidents, leading high-risk responses, and effectively influence key stakeholders, regulators and partners.
• Strong policy development and interpretation skills with experience in audit compliance, and regulatory reporting.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in high-pressure environments.
• Knowledge of university operations and Alberta emergency legislation/frameworks (e.g., Disaster Services Act, Alberta Emergency Plan, Calgary Municipal Emergency Plan, CEMA) is an asset.

Application Deadline: August 25, 2026

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is classified in the Management Career Band, Level 3 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website .