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Position:
Director, Security & Emergency Management
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Job Id:
4356
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# of Openings:
1
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Director, Security & Emergency Management
Southern Research + You
Discover a career where your work truly matters. Southern Research has been translating science into real-world solutions since 1941. Join our innovative team and enjoy benefits like medical, dental, vision, 401(k) match, life insurance, PTO, an employee assistance program, and more.
General Summary
The Director of Security & Emergency Management provides strategic leadership and comprehensive oversight of security, biosecurity, and emergency management programs across all Southern Research (SR) facilities and campus. The role is responsible for safeguarding personnel, research integrity, and organizational assets, including those within SR's high-containment (A/BSL-3) environments. The Director ensures strict compliance with federal, state, and local regulations governing biosecurity, industrial security, and emergency preparedness, while fostering and maintaining strong collaborative relationships with law enforcement, regulatory agencies, and emergency response organizations.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Security Management
- Ensure the integrity, effectiveness, and efficiency of security operations and personnel safety across all organizational facilities.
- Develop, implement, and oversee comprehensive security strategies and emergency response plans, aligned with organizational objectives and operational risk management frameworks.
- Lead, mentor, and manage a high-performing security team, fostering continuous professional development, coaching, and maintaining relevant certifications and competencies.
- Establish, enforce, and regularly update policies on access control, surveillance, emergency response, intrusion detection systems, and other policies, as needed, across campus research and administrative facilities.
- Ensure strict compliance with Department of Defense (DOD), Select Agent Regulations (SAR), and applicable federal, state, and local security regulations.
- Conduct annual threat and vulnerability assessments, proactively identifying and mitigating risks to personnel, assets, and operational continuity.Oversee daily operations of Arms Room, maintaining strict compliance with safety protocols and security policies, ensuring meticulous inventory management andaccountability for all weapons, ammunition, and tactical gear.
- Maintain compliance with Alabama Security Regulatory Board standards through comprehensive training and certification programs.
- Collaborate closely with federal and local law enforcement agencies, attending quarterly FBI briefings to address emerging security trends and threats.
- Oversee management of contracts related to security infrastructure and technological systems.
- Collaborate proactively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to establish integrated security practices and enhance organizational safety and resilience.
Crisis Management & Emergency Response
- Lead the Incident Command Team (ICT), serving as the primary Incident Commander during critical incidents and emergencies.
- Develop and conduct comprehensive staff training programs, including Incident Command System (ICS) exercises, tabletop drills, and full-scale simulations to enhance organizational preparedness and response capabilities.
- Establish and maintain strategic partnerships and formal agreements with federal, state, and local emergency response agencies (FBI, DHS, local police/fire/EMS) to ensure coordinated emergency responses.Administer and optimize the employee emergency mass notification system to facilitate rapid, accurate, and clear emergency communications across multiple locations.
- Develop proactive workplace violence prevention programs and oversee response strategies for active shooter events, hazardous material incidents, and medical emergencies.
- Supervise firearms training and certification programs for security staff, ensuring adherence to state and federal regulations and best practices in weapons safety, handling, and accountability.
- Deliver comprehensive incident response training to personnel, including CPR/AED certification, active shooter protocols, and emergency medical response procedures.
Biosecurity & Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure strict adherence to security protocols in classified research environments, A/BSL-3 laboratories, and high-security facilities, complying with all applicable regulations and industry standards.
- Develop, implement, and maintain robust biosecurity programs to secure select agents and high-risk biological materials.
- Serve as a key advisor on anti-terrorism and counterintelligence measures, safeguarding research integrity and security.
- Audit and enforce access control policies in restricted areas, ensuring compliance with relevant federal and state regulations.
- Participate proactively in audits conducted by BARDA, CDC, FDA, and other clients, addressing security-specific inquiries.
- Coordinate with insurance evaluators for annual security assessments, ensuring effective risk management practices and compliance.
Operational & Personnel Management
- Directly supervise and manage the security team, ensuring continuous 24/7 readiness and effective emergency response.
- Oversee recruitment, training, performance evaluations, and professional development of security and emergency response personnel.
- Prepare and manage security and emergency management budgets, optimizing resources to meet organizational safety and security objectives.
- Liaise and coordinate with UAB Police.
- Conduct thorough internal investigations related to security breaches, workplace violence incidents, and compliance violations.
- Collaborate with Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), Human Resources, and Facilities Management to foster a cohesive, safety-oriented organizational culture.
- Provide administrative oversight and leadership in performance management, compensation planning, team development, and budgeting processes.
- Serve as the Visual Compliance Administrator, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Requirements/Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required; a focus in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or a related field is preferred, though we will consider applicants with a degree in any field who possess significant, relevant experience.
- 10+ years of knowledge and experience with security, law enforcement, and/or anti-terrorism procedures.
- 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in physical security, law enforcement, or military security operations.
- Expert knowledge of federal security regulations, including DoD security requirements, Select Agent Regulations (SAR), National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), and facility security protocols relevant to classified research security.
- Experience conducting threat assessments, incident investigations, and security audits.
- Strong familiarity with access control, video surveillance, and intrusion detection systems.
- Prior experience developing and leading crisis response teams and emergency management programs.
- Strong leadership, communication, and strategic decision-making skills in high-risk environments.
- Proven ability to work with others on problem solving strategies with a service driven emphasis to create a work environment wherein the safety and security of SR's assets, the most important one being our human assets, is priority #1.
Desired Qualifications:
- Certified Firearms Instructor certification
- FSO (Facility Security Officer) certification or relevant training
- Expertise in biodefense, counterterrorism, and classified research security protocols
- Previous experience in federal law enforcement, military intelligence, or emergency management agencies
- Membership or active participation in professional security organizations such as NCMS (The Society of Industrial Security Professionals), ASIS International, or the InfraGard partnership with the FBI
Core Values
Cultivating human connection - putting people first. We know that every individual makes a difference and that no one can do it alone. We believe the world's most powerful resource is human potential. We are an inclusive and courageous team where innovation and diversity of though go hand in hand. We understand that relationships move at the speed of trust.
Operating with precise execution - measuring what matters and owning results as a team. We leverage data to drive decisions that advance science. We recognize the importance of a stable foundation coupled with an agile mindset. We hold ourselves accountable and take pride in our work. We give and receive candid feedback as a gift that keeps us growing.
Harnessing relentless curiosity - our unstoppable, innovative force. We are driven to ask sharp questions and push the boundaries of knowledge. We use creativity and critical thinking as catalysts for finding solutions that change lives. We learn by doing, consistently striving to improve our relationships, training, methodologies, questions, and results.
Stewarding a healthy community - implementing sustainable operations for a safe, engaging environment. We don't compromise on safety and health for our employees, customers, or community. We believe a healthy community begins with inclusive economic opportunities. We respect the dignity of the patients we ultimately serve. We are motivated to serve communities that are underserved and markets that are overlooked.
Job Specific Behaviors
- Operational / Technical Excellence - Ensures that work product (whether service or process) enables the organization to deliver on customers' expectations.
- Drives for Results - Establishes stretch goals and manages to focus outcomes. Demands excellence. Demonstrates a strong commitment to organizational success; works to do what is best for all stakeholders.
- Change Leadership - Encourages others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to addressing problems and opportunities; facilitates the implementation and acceptance of change within the workplace.
- Builds and Maintains Winning Teamwork - Creates a climate of teamwork to achieve objectives, taking advantage of our diversity; creates a sense of ownership and encourages individuals to stretch beyond their own capabilities.
- Coaches / Develops Others - Selects for talent. Sets expectations and provides clear and timely feedback. Motivates, develops self and others to foster a learning environment and openly shares information that would guide others. Uses appropriate interpersonal style to guide direct reports to action. Recognizes performance success.
- Builds Strategic Relationships - Uses appropriate interpersonal styles to work effectively with others to meet mutual goals and objectives; understands the role and interrelationships of each organizational function. Possesses skill in managing across functional and organizational lines.
- Communicates with Impact - Expresses thoughts and ideas effectively in individual and group situations; adjusts language to the needs of the audience.
- Business Knowledge - Maintains external awareness of technology or business sectors; supplies knowledge of the Institute's culture, business processes, and tools to achieve goals.
- Strategic Risk Management - Ability to assess threats and vulnerabilities, developing proactive mitigation strategies.
- Crisis Leadership - Capable of leading high-pressure emergency response efforts with composure and confidence.
- Regulatory Compliance - Deep understanding of federal security, safety, and emergency preparedness laws.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration - Works effectively with leadership, researchers, law enforcement, and emergency response teams.
- Technology & Systems Oversight - Expertise in physical security infrastructure, including electronic access and surveillance systems.
Physical Demands
- This role requires occasional travel and on-call availability during emergencies.
- Position involves working in both office and high-security laboratory environments, including potential exposure to biohazards.
Certifications, Licenses & Registrations
- Ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret Security Clearance.
Work Authorization
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
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Apply for this Position
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Southern Research Institute
life insurance, 401(k)
Oct 13, 2025