Oak View Group

Director of Safety & Security | Full-Time | Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center

Location US-TX-Dallas
Job ID
2025-23670
Location Name
Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center
Category
Security
Type
Regular Full-Time

Oak View Group

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.

Position Summary

This position is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the safety and security operations for the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD) in a manner consistent with best practices for large convention centers in major metropolitan areas. 

 

This role pays an annual salary of $115,000-$130,000 and is bonus eligible.

 

Benefits for Full-Time roles: 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 July 27, 2025.

About the Venue

This position is based at our Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD) is one of the largest convention centers in the nation. Every year it welcomes over a million visitors attending major national and international conventions, meetings, concerts, athletic competitions, auto shows, and more. Located in the heart of downtown Dallas, the KBHCCD has been and continues to be a fixture in the Dallas skyline offering 1 million square feet of exhibit space, three ballrooms, 88 meeting rooms, 1,750-seat theater, and a 9,816-seat arena. The award-winning facility is connected to a 1,001-room hotel via skybridge and is adjacent to two Vertiport landing pads. 

Responsibilities

Leadership

  • Responsible for the overall development of Safety and Security personnel through leadership, training, coaching, and mentoring.
  • Responsible for the development, oversight, management, and delivery of training curriculum for all Safety and Security Team members (Full & Part Time) and to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of training programs.
  • Working with the Safety and Security Management Team, develops, manages, and delivers comprehensive facility wide training and exercise programs to include regularly scheduled drills, tabletop exercises, red team exercises in coordination with other service providers and local authorities.
  • In consultation with Human Resources, recommends hiring of department staff, and disciplines staff when violations of law, policy, rules and/or procedures are present. 
  • Administers all public safety related policies, rules, and procedures, and directs subordinates in carrying out day-to-day public safety related duties.

Safety/Security

  • Plans, develops, organizes, implements, directs, and evaluates the Public Safety and security needs of KBHCCD.
  • 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 KBHCCD. 
  • Establishes the appropriate levels of security for KBHCCD and ensures all applicable security 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 KBHCCD 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 KBHCCD and for event utilizing the facility.
  • Prior to, during, and following events, works in conjunction with other departments, clients and client contractors related to event security and public safety needs.
  • Oversight of vendors, related agreements, policies and processes as it relates to event security providers utilizing the KBHCCD.
  • Develop, implement and administer a Right of Entry program for General Service Contractors (GSC), Exhibitor-Appointed Contractor (EAC) and event-related service providers.
  • Interprets public safety/security rules and procedures and directs subordinates in enforcing compliance.
  • Maintains working knowledge of all events 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 KBHCCD’s Incident Commander when applicable.
  • Manages KBHCCD investigations. 
  • Conducts internal KBHCCD investigations when necessary and documents findings.
  • Responsible for assigning personnel as lead investigators relating to incidents requiring investigation at the KBHCCD.

 

 Emergency Preparedness

  • Engages in and is responsible for all emergency preparedness efforts, directing the entire Safety and Security department and KBHCCD in the creation, training and exercise of emergency and life safety plans, procedures, and protocols.
  • Establishes and maintains partnerships with neighboring properties, event-contracted security providers, and emergency first responders with the Federal, State, and City agencies.
  • Works with local jurisdictions to ensure that the KBHCCD is integrated as efficiently and fully as possible with the City’s emergency operations and threat assessment capabilities. 
  • Provides opportunities for on-site training and exercises within the limits of the KBHCCD event schedule.
  • Assess and develops emergency procedural plans and presents recommendations to the KBHCCD leadership on an ongoing basis.
  • Responsible for the overall development and management of KBHCCD Emergency Preparedness strategies, including the training of KBHCCD personnel.
  • Responsible for ensuring all Safety and Security Department personnel (Full & Part Time) have a detailed understanding of the KBHCCD’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 and maintained in accordance with professional guidelines and applicable laws and ordinances.
  • 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 KBHCCD.

 

Risk Assessment 

  • Conducts threat/risk assessments of the KBHCCD to determine the vulnerabilities of the venue to include, internal as well as external threats and potential for losses. 
  • Engages in threat mitigation strategies 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 KBHCCD 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 KBHCCD are responsive to the needs of the client.
  • Prepares and monitors the Safety and Security Capital & Operating budgets and forecasts needs and ensures compliance with organizational expenditures.

External Relations

  • Acts as KBHCCD’s liaison with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, fire, EMS, and civil defense agencies to coordinate operations, detect and deter crime and terrorism, and to prepare for and respond to emergencies at the KBHCCD.
  • Develops a working relationship with surrounding communities and facilities to respond effectively to emergencies which may from time to time impact the KBHCCD.
  • In conjunction with the proper authorities, direct activities during fires, storms, riots, medical and other emergencies.
  • Represents the KBHCCD 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.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

  • Directly manages and supervises all Public Safety staff.
  • Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with Spectra’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.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or related field and 6/10 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; 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.
  • Experience in and/or detailed knowledge of the convention, meetings, exhibition, and trade show industry a plus.

 

Skills and Abilities

  • 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, establish 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. 

 

Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.

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