Director of Global Safety & Security

University of Notre Dame

$100K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required, preferred in relevant fields.
  • 7+ years of experience in international travel safety or related areas.
  • Strong skills in evaluating global geopolitical, health, and safety risks.
  • Exceptional verbal and written communication, especially in emergencies.
  • Collaborative and detail-oriented with a focus on process optimization.
  • Flexible schedule to accommodate irregular hours and crises.
  • Willing to travel internationally multiple times a year.

Responsibilities

  • Direct daily global safety and security operations for the university.
  • Develop and implement travel risk management policies and ensure compliance.
  • Oversee risk assessment processes for university-sponsored international travel.
  • Design and deliver safety training programs for university personnel and students.
  • Lead crisis preparedness, response, and continuity planning efforts globally.
  • Assess risks at international locations and adapt safety protocols accordingly.
  • Cultivate partnerships across campus and with external stakeholders.
  • Maintain availability across time zones for crisis monitoring and support.
  • Supervise and mentor the Program Manager for International Travel Safety.

Benefits

  • Professional development and training opportunities.
  • Collaborative and supportive work environment.
  • Flexibility for remote work and varying schedules.
  • Access to university resources and facilities.
  • Engagement with diverse global communities and networks.
Full Job Description
Are you passionate about global safety, security, and building strong relationships to support a world-class university community? We are seeking a Director of Global Safety & Security who blends higher education acumen, exceptional interpersonal skills, and deep expertise in physical security, threat analysis, international travel risk management, and crisis response. This is a dynamic, hands-on role: the Director will set strategic vision while actively managing day-to-day operations, leading incident responses, and delivering high-impact training. Reporting to the Senior Director of Emergency Management and Global Safety & Security, the Director supervises the Program Manager for International Travel Safety. Together, they uphold a robust duty-of-care framework, direct crisis response efforts, advance international risk management, and bolster physical security across the University's global footprint. Key Responsibilities • Operational Management: Direct day-to-day global safety and security operations, ensuring consistent execution and high standards across all programs. • Policy & Governance: Lead the University's travel risk management framework by developing, implementing, and auditing policies. Ensure compliance across international activities, conduct regular reviews, and drive continuous program improvements. • Travel Risk Assessment: Oversee and evaluate the risk assessment and registration process for all University-sponsored international travel. • Training & Outreach: Oversee the design and delivery of pre-departure and annual safety training programs for faculty, staff, and students. • Crisis Preparedness & Response: Lead emergency preparedness, continuity planning, tactical crisis response, and emergency exercises across the global network. • Global Hazard Analysis: Assess health, safety, and security risks across diverse international environments. Monitor geopolitical, environmental, and cultural developments, adapting protocols and advising on staffing, infrastructure, and safety procedures at international sites. • Stakeholder Engagement: Build and cultivate strong partnerships across campus, at international locations, and with key external partners (e.g., U.S. Department of State, Crisis24). • Global Availability & Support: Maintain flexible availability across international time zones to monitor operations, advise university constituents, and respond promptly to emerging global crises. • Team Leadership: Supervise, mentor, and direct the Program Manager for International Travel Safety, ensuring accountability and alignment while remaining actively engaged in program execution. Qualifications Minimum Qualifications • Education: Bachelor's degree (4-year program preferred). • Experience: 7+ years in international travel safety, risk management, emergency management, or global academic operations (or equivalent combination). • Risk Assessment: Proven ability to evaluate geopolitical, health, safety, and operational risks globally. • Crisis Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication, maintaining calm, clear decision-making during high-stress emergency responses. • Interpersonal & Process Skills: Strong collaborative skills, high attention to detail, deadline-driven focus, and dedication to process optimization. • Schedule Flexibility: Ability to handle irregular hours, work extended shifts during crises, and pivot quickly to late-night or early-morning international incident responses. • Travel: Willingness to travel globally multiple times per year, involving long commercial flights, navigating varying terrain, and using regional transit. Preferred Qualifications • Education & Background: Master's degree; experience living, studying, or working abroad; higher education experience. • Software & Tools: Familiarity with travel risk and insurance platforms (Terra Dotta, Concur, Crisis24, Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions, Google Suite). • Certifications: Professional credentials such as APP, CPP, CBCP, AEM, CEM, CMCS, CSMP, or similar. Additional Information Annual Salary: $100,000 Commensurate with experience Application Deadline: August 20, 2026 COVER LETTER SUBMISSION REQUIRED

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