Director, Physical Security Systems and Access Control - Enterprise Physical Operations

LocationSt. Louis, MO 63110 Scheduled Hours40

Position SummaryThe Enterprise Physical Operations, Infrastructure, Capital Programs & Real Estate (EPO) department at WashU provides integrated operational, infrastructure, planning, and facility services that support the university’s mission of excellence in education, research, patient care, and community engagement.
Guided by our PRIDE+ Core Values of Professionalism & Planning, Respect & Responsibility, Integrity & Integration, Dedication & Delivery, Excellence & Enterprise Alignment, and Accountability & Stewardship, EPO fosters a culture centered on collaboration, strategic partnership, innovation, accountability, and service excellence across the university enterprise.
EPO manages and supports 28 million gross square feet across 235+ buildings and associated infrastructure systems, encompassing academic, research, clinical, residential, administrative, and support facilities across the university’s campuses and operations. Our teams provide strategic leadership and operational expertise in facility management, infrastructure services, capital project delivery, real estate operations, planning, sustainability, engineering, maintenance, environmental services, public safety support, and enterprise operational services.
EPO creates and maintains safe, innovative, efficient, mission-driven environments that support our students, faculty, staff, patients, researchers, and community partners.
For additional information and to hear directly from members of our team, please visit: https://facilities.med.wustl.edu/Careers.
Serves as the enterprise leader responsible for access control, key management, CCTV, and security technology operations across Washington University's Danforth and WashU Medicine campuses. Provides strategic and operational leadership for security technology infrastructure, enterprise access governance, physical security standards, and related capital investments.
Leads a multi-campus team and partners with university leadership, public safety, facilities, information technology, healthcare affiliates, and external vendors to ensure security systems are reliable, compliant, and aligned with institutional priorities. Plays a critical part in advancing enterprise security strategy, supporting organizational growth, and leading the integration of previously separate campus operations into a unified security systems program.

Job Description

Strategic Leadership & Enterprise Operations

• Provides strategic and operational leadership for all enterprise access control, key management, CCTV, and related security technology functions across the Danforth and WashU Medicine campuses.
• Establishes departmental goals, operational priorities, performance standards, and service delivery expectations that support university-wide security objectives.
• Leads the continued integration and alignment of security systems operations, governance, and processes across multiple campus environments while maintaining business continuity and stakeholder engagement.

Security Systems & Access Governance

• Directs enterprise access control, credentialing, key management, CCTV, and related security technology programs, ensuring system reliability, effectiveness, and operational excellence.
• Establishes and maintains enterprise-wide policies, standards, and governance frameworks for physical and electronic access management.
• Collaborates with Information Security, Public Safety, and institutional partners to ensure appropriate cybersecurity controls, data integrity, and regulatory compliance for security systems and associated technologies.

Capital Planning & Technology Lifecycle Management

• Develops and executes long-range strategies for security technology modernization, lifecycle replacements, repairs and renewal initiatives, and capital investment planning.
• Partners with Facilities, Information Technology, Capital Projects, and Planning teams to ensure security requirements are incorporated into construction, renovation, and infrastructure projects.
• Oversees vendor relationships, contract performance, technology procurement, and service partnerships supporting enterprise security operations.

People Leadership & Organizational Development

• Leads, develops, and mentors managers, supervisors, and technical staff while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, customer service, and continuous improvement.
• Directs workforce planning, performance management, succession planning, employee development, and organizational change initiatives supporting a high-performing enterprise operation.

Executive Stakeholder Engagement

• Serves as the university's principal advisor and subject matter expert on access control, security systems, and physical security technology matters.
• Presents strategic recommendations, operational performance metrics, risk assessments, and capital investment priorities to senior and executive leadership.
• Builds and maintains strong collaborative relationships with university leadership, public safety organizations, healthcare affiliates, facilities teams, information technology groups, regulatory agencies, and external partners.

Risk Management, Compliance & Incident Support

• Leads security technology risk assessment, compliance, audits, and incident-support activities by leveraging access control, CCTV, and physical security data to inform decision-making, support investigations, mitigate risk, and enhance campus safety

Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment.
• Alternative work schedule as regular part of job (on-call, shifts, evening, weekends).
• On-Call.

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at desk or table.
• Typically standing or walking.
• Occasional lifting (< 25 lbs)
• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement.
• Ability to move to on and off-campus locations.

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Equipment

• Office equipment.
• Security and surveillance equipment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.

Certifications/Professional Licenses:

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Relevant Experience (8 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license and good driving record are required for this position.

More About This Job

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in security management, criminal justice, facilities management, engineering, technology management, business administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, certifications, and direct relevant experience.
• Eight (8) years or more of progressively responsible experience in physical security, access control, security technology, facilities operations, public safety, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing teams in a complex operational environment.
• Experience managing enterprise-level access control, key management, CCTV, or related security technology systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with capital planning, technology lifecycle management, and portfolio oversight.
• Experience reviewing security designs, construction documents, and technical specifications.
• Physical Security Professional (PSP)
• LenelS2, C-CURE, Genetec, Milestone, Avigilon, or similar platform certifications
• Other relevant physical security, access control, or security technology certifications

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Master's degree

Certifications/Professional Licenses:

Certified Protection Professional (CPP) - ASIS International, Project Management Professional (PMP) - Project Management Institute (PMI)

Work Experience:

Higher Education, Medical School, Healthcare, Or In Facilities Planning And Project Management (10 Years)

Skills:

Budget Management, Capital Planning, CCTV Surveillance, Change Management, Contractor Management, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Emergency Preparedness, Employee Development, Executive Presence, Executive Presenting, Governance Development, Governance Management, Incident Management, Organizational Development (OD), Physical Security Operations, Policy Development, Policy Management, Project Delivery, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Evaluation And Mitigation Strategy (REMS), Security Access Control Systems, Security Technologies, Strategic Leadership, Team Leadership, Vendor Management

GradeG17

Salary Range$110,300.00 - $194,200.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [email protected] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment ScreeningAll external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO StatementWashington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.