Security and Visitor Services Manager

Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA) is seeking a technically skilled leader and highly collaborative team member as the Security and Visitor Services Manager (SVSM) to lead all aspects of the museum’s welcoming experience and security, including the hiring, training and scheduling of staff and overseeing the operation of the technical security systems for a new, purpose-built museum facility currently under construction at Williams College. 

As the Security and Visitor Services Manager, you will manage a specialized department who are critical to operations and who create a safe and welcoming experience for all who visit the museum. You lead your team in identifying potential security and safety hazards, and assessing, reporting and responding to incidents or potential criminal activity at the museum’s building and 6.75 acre grounds. Under the leadership of the Deputy Director for Operations and Art Services, and working closely with the Museum Building Manager and the Manager of Museum Experiences and Events, you are on the front line for all day-to-day building needs. 

The SVSM serves as a key operational partner representing their department while working with museum leadership, the College’s Campus Safety Services (CSS) unit, and local law enforcement and emergency services, maintaining good college and public relations by assisting others as a source of information and direction. In the months before the new museum opening, you help finalize operational planning, documentation and implementation of policies and practices. While the museum is transitioning into the new building and new operations, you lead staff-wide training in the safety and security practices in the new building and support the safety of the art collection during its relocation. Under normal operations, you oversee the daily operation of both the security and visitor services teams to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all students, visitors, staff, and the collection, aligned with the museum’s mission. 

You foster a collaborative and positive work atmosphere for an integrated team of security officers and visitor service associates, two units which together provide for both the museum’s security needs and patron-facing hospitality and informational needs. By providing cross-functional training such as training security staff in hospitality, and visitor service staff training in basic emergency preparedness and response, you support integrated strategies for visitor engagement and facility safety. 

The ideal candidate possesses experience managing people in security operations which requires complex scheduling capabilities and possesses knowledge of best practices for public safety and security in museums or other cultural environments. You handle conflicts, disturbances, or confrontations calmly and diplomatically and lead others to handle conflicts calmly through training and by example. The ideal candidate is also committed to supporting a mission-based cultural environment and supports their team in learning opportunities around WCMA’s history, exhibitions and programs which serves people from diverse backgrounds and cultural customs.

Williams is deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. The successful candidate will work effectively and respectfully with faculty, staff, students, and vendors from a variety of diverse backgrounds in a collaborative setting. This job description is intended to describe the basic responsibilities of the role and the work being performed. Given the evolving nature of operations planning for a new building and expanded museum program, it is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Other responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Primary Responsibility for WCMA Security and Emergency Response

• The SVSM is on call for emergencies and incidents 24/7, serves in an on-call rotation with WCMA’s Museum Building Manager, and serves as a primary liaison to the College’s Campus Safety Services. 

Responsible for Daily and Weekly Staffing, Planning and Reporting

• As a primary caretaker of the museum building, you are responsible for ensuring adequate security and visitor services staffing of all building hours, 7 days per week, with a team of 20+ comprised of full time, part time, and temporary call-in staff members.

Protocol Development and Training Leadership

• Prior to the new museum building coming online, you have the opportunity to learn the new building’s security systems, participate in its testing, and develop the training manual for staff

Management Collaboration

• You represent Security and Visitor Services department among WCMA and College departments and units, creating a mutual understanding of the level of security, capabilities, and challenges of security at the museum

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of professional experience in security operations and/or management, or hospitality industry management; equivalent education/experience considered.
• Strong leadership, communication, and crisis management skills informed by deep knowledge of public safety and security protocols, along with a collaborative working style
• Strong problem-solving skills: assessing and responding to crises, including natural disasters, fires, medical emergencies, or security threats, and implementing emergency procedures and protocols to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of museum occupants.
• Familiarity with security technology and equipment, including surveillance cameras, access control systems, alarm systems, and radio communication devices, to operate and troubleshoot security equipment effectively and efficiently
• Knowledge of access control measures and procedures to control and monitor entry and enforcing access policies 
• Certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to provide immediate medical assistance and emergency response in case of injuries or medical emergencies
• Positive communication style and effective verbal and written communication skills for conveying information, priorities, and concerns, and while guiding and motivating a team
• Ability to handle conflicts, disturbances, or confrontations calmly and diplomatically to resolve disputes or disagreements. Sensitivity to cultural diversity and respect for people from diverse backgrounds, including awareness of cultural customs, languages, and communication styles. 
• Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays

This position requires fully in-person work. Remote work arrangements will not be available at this time.

Application review will begin on November 5, 2026. Pay range is from $80,000 to $90,000, commensurate with experience.

Cover Letters

A cover letter is required in order for your application to be considered. In your letter, please address your interest in this position and the strengths you would bring to Williams College Museum of Art in this role. Applicants should highlight relevant experience with event management in coordination with many stakeholder groups, and are encouraged to include information in regard to meeting the preferred qualifications outlined above. Please attach your cover letter as a separate document in your application.

Please visit careers.williams.edu to apply.