Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

The Director of Public Safety is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing all aspects of the public safety, security, fire, EMS, transportation, sheltering, and emergency preparedness programs for McCormick Place.  Develops, manages and maintains all life safety and prevention plans, including venue and event-specific plans in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and city laws.  Oversees and is responsible for the management of all full and part time security employees, involved in the securing of property from pre to post event and securing McCormick Place 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

This role will pay a salary of $175,000.00 to $190,000.00 plus bonus

For FT roles: Benefits: Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 401(k) savings plan, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays).

This position will remain open until May 23, 2025.

McCormick Place located in downtown Chicago is the largest and most flexible convention center in North America., With over 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space, the campus proudly hosts some of the world’s largest and most prestigious conventions, meetings, and trade shows, welcoming approximately 3 million visitors to Chicago every year. 

Safety/Security 

• Plans, develops, organizes, implements, directs and evaluates the Public Safety, fire & EMS, transportation/traffic and security needs of McCormick Place. 
• Proactively identifies opportunities to enhance public safety and security operations through continuous evaluation and improvement. 
• Acts as the unifying focal point for all public safety and security related policy, plans, and operations for McCormick Place.  
• Establishes the appropriate levels of security for McCormick Place and ensures all applicable security, fire and life safety protocols are being enforced. 
• Continues to review and update emergency plans and public safety/security policies and procedures. 
• Responsible for evaluating and recommending all electronic security & safety systems for McCormick Place that will enhance the overall quality and efficiency of security & safety technology programs. 
• Remains current on issues regarding changes to technology and laws, ordinances, rules and /or procedures affecting the public safety/security industry to ensure compliance and the safety and security of staff, guests, and attendees. 
• Develops establishes standards for public safety/security needs for McCormick Place and on an event by event basis. 
• Prior to, during, and following events, works in conjunction with other departments, clients and client contractors related to event security and public safety needs. 
• Interprets public safety/security rules and procedures and directs subordinates in enforcing compliance. 
• Responsible for assigning personnel as lead investigators relating to incidents requiring investigation at McCormick Place. 
• Maintains working knowledge of all event related security contracts, approves event security staffing and cost estimates for show management and exhibitors and performs billing reviews. 
• Responds to and/or assists subordinates in responding to emergency calls for service and acts as the McCormick Place’s Incident Commander when applicable. 
• Conducts internal McCormick Place investigations when necessary and documents findings.  

Emergency Preparedness  

• Engages in and is responsible for all emergency preparedness efforts, directing the entire public safety department and McCormick Place in the creation, training and exercise of emergency and life safety plans, procedures and protocols. 
• Establishes and maintains partnerships with neighboring properties and emergency first responders with the Federal, State, and City agencies. 
• Assess and develops emergency procedural plans and presents recommendations to the McCormick Place leadership on an ongoing basis. 
• Responsible for the overall development and management of McCormick Place Emergency Preparedness strategies, including the training of McCormick Place personnel. 
• Responsible for ensuring all Public Safety Department personnel (Full & Part Time) have a detail understanding of the McCormick Place’s Emergency Operations Procedures including but not limited to Venue Evacuation Procedures.  
• Develops and enforces a schedule of inspection to ensure that all life safety and medical equipment is inspected in accordance with professional guidelines and applicable laws and ordinance 
• Directs the inspection of the premises to test alarm systems, detect safety hazards, and to ensure that safety rules are posted and enforced. 
• Ensures that the framework of national incident management system (NIMS) including Incident Command System (ICS) is being utilized during any emergency response on behalf of the McCormick Place.  

Risk Assessment   

• Conducts threat/risk assessments of McCormick Place to determine the vulnerabilities of the venue to include, internal as well as external threats and potential for losses.  
• Engages in threat mitigation strategies in order to eliminate and/or reduce the threats/ risks determined by such studies.  
• Frequently communicates with insurance representatives in this area. 
• Responsible for the ongoing intelligence collection, threat vulnerability assessment, and/ or any like methods required to protect McCormick Place from a range of threats.  

Operations 

• Monitor and evaluate departmental operations with the aim of developing ideas and activities that will allow the staff to perform those functions in the most creative, cost effective and economical method while ensuring that staff and security procedures within the McCormick Place are responsive to the needs of the client. 
• Prepares and monitors the Public Safety Capital & Operating budgets and forecasts needs and ensures compliance with organizational expenditures.  

External Relations 

• Acts as McCormick Place’s liaison with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, fire, EMS and civil defense agencies in order to coordinate operations, detect and deter crime and terrorism, and in order to prepare for and respond to emergencies at the McCormick Place. 
• Develops a working relationship with surrounding communities and facilities to respond effectively to emergencies which may from time-to-time impact McCormick Place. 
• In conjunction with the proper authorities, direct activities during fires, storms, riots, medical and other emergencies. 
• Represents McCormick Place with all public safety and security industry organizations, addresses community issues and attendees’ relevant meetings as appropriate. This includes but is not limited to industry organizations such as ASIS, ESCA, IAVM, IAEE and PCMA  

Supervisory  

• Directly manages and supervises all Public Safety employees.  
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with Oak View Group’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work appraising performance; rewarding; disciplining employees in conjunction with Human Resources; addressing complaints and resolving problems. 

• Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice or related field.  
• 7+ years of experience at a management level; significant experience in public safety; established, extensive positive working relationships with all federal, state, and local law enforcement, public safety, and emergency medical personnel is highly desirable.  
• Must have a strong understanding of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Incident Management System (NIMS) and demonstrate successful completion of Incident Command System Classes (ICS) 100/200/300. 
• CPR; SIRA; AED; First Aid Certified; Convention Hospitality and/or Hotel industry experience would be helpful but not required; 
• Must be a well-organized individual who is a team player and can relate to people at all levels of an organization;  
• Proven participation or membership in industry organizations such as but not limited to ASIS, ESCA, IAVM, IAEE and PCMA would be helpful but not required Extensive management level experience in the public safety and security areas. 
• Understand, interpret, explain and apply federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the conduct that affect security operations. 
• Evaluate, develop and implement management systems, policies and controls. 
• Exercise sound and expert independent judgement within general policy guidelines. 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the local government entities, clients and staff. 
• Knowledge of modern security and safety procedures, policies, standard operating procedures and methods. 
• Knowledge in planning and coordination of security and safety investigations. 
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of management and supervision. 
• Knowledge of the convention, meeting, special events, exhibition and trade show industry. 
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establishes facts and draw valid conclusions, within seconds, if needed, during extreme emergency situations. 
• Ability to demonstrate emotional stability during periods of tension and stress while carrying out assigned duties. 
• Ability to recognize emergency situations and direct prompt and effective corrective measures. 
• Ability to express ideas and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. 
• Possess excellent interpersonal, communication, written, customer service and problem-solving skills, in dealing with guests, clients, employees, contractors and external organizations. 
• Is flexible and committed to excellence in customer service. 
• Develop, augment, implement and maintain industry best practices, rules, policies and procedures.  

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.