Director of Security Ryan Field at Northwestern University

Company Overview

Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, with a platform spanning venue development and end-to-end capabilities across venue management, hospitality, and sponsorship sales. Founded in 2015, the company serves a collection of seven world‑class owned venues and a client roster of the most iconic arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions, spanning four continents.

The Director of Security is responsible for managing a team of Guest Services & Security managers and all part‑time Security Supervisors, Guards, Guest Services Supervisors, and Event Staff. The primary responsibility is ensuring a safe, secure, welcoming, and comfortable entertainment experience for our guests by planning, monitoring, directing, delegating, controlling, and managing all functions of the guest services & security department.

Responsibilities include personnel management, risk management, loss prevention, fire/life safety, security/safety training, guest services oversight, investigations, working with show touring Security counterparts, budgeting, lost and found, customer service, emergency preparedness, and disaster prevention. The role offers a yearly salary of $110,000–$120,000 and is bonus eligible.

Health, Dental and Vision insurance; 401(k) savings plan with matching; paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays). The position will remain open until September 18, 2026.

The new Ryan Field will create a world‑class home for Northwestern University Athletics and a best‑in‑the‑nation football experience for fans, players, and a year‑round asset for the community.

• Oversee all physical security systems in the venue, including camera systems, access control, radio communications, and security software systems.
• Hire and effectively manage a team of full‑time and part‑time employees providing 24/7 building security coverage and event needs.
• Develop and maintain security and guest services policies and standard operating procedures.
• Establish positive and collaborative relationships with all internal departments and government entities, including Police, Fire, EMS, etc., and schedule services as necessary.
• Schedule security and guest services vendors (equipment, K‑9, patrols, lost and found) as necessary.
• Review and update the facility Emergency Response Plan manual and quick guide, and lead and manage all aspects of emergency preparedness programs and training.
• Manage budget, approve purchases, and negotiate vendor contracts for security programs. Evaluate requests for security support or supplies.
• Manage guest inquiries and respond to guest complaints and security concerns to prevent future issues.
• Serve as primary security contact to event management personnel during assigned events.
• Adopt a customer service philosophy and public relations approach to the performance of all duties and establish and promote this philosophy to guest services and security staff.
• Plan and provide comprehensive training for guest services and security staff.
• Responsible for managing and developing employee performance with the assistance of HR.
• Track attendance of staff according to attendance policy.
• Oversee all aspects of employee personnel, including but not limited to hiring, disciplining, scheduling, and payroll.
• Be present for events and other major events/games at Ryan Field.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university/school.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of experience managing security operations in an arena, stadium, or similar public assembly facility.
• Previous law enforcement experience is preferred but not required.
• Experience communicating and working as a liaison with government resources, including police and fire departments, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FBI, and other local/state/federal resources.
• Thorough knowledge of physical security systems, including CCTV, access control systems, walk‑through metal detectors, and radio communication systems.
• CPR/AED/First Aid Certification…