Director of Emergency and Risk Management

University of West Alabama

Oct 01, 2026

The Director of Emergency and Risk Management provides strategic leadership, planning, coordination, and oversight for the University of West Alabama's comprehensive emergency management, continuity of operations, and risk management programs. This position is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining policies, procedures, training, and response frameworks that safeguard students, faculty, staff, visitors, facilities, and University operations.

The Director ensures institutional preparedness, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation through collaboration with University leadership and internal and external partners.

• Maintain and update the University's Disaster Management Plan, Emergency Response Plan, and Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) in alignment with FEMA's National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS).
• Lead University preparedness initiatives, including hazard identification, vulnerability assessments, and risk analyses.
• Coordinate emergency response planning for natural disasters, public health emergencies, active threat incidents, severe weather, infrastructure failures, and other crises.
• Serve as a key member of the Critical Incident Management Team, the COOP Response Team, and advise University leadership during emergencies.
• Conduct drills, tabletop exercises, and full-scale exercises; evaluate outcomes and implement improvements.

• Lead the University's risk management framework to identify, assess, prioritize, and mitigate institutional risks.
• Develop risk mitigation strategies and monitor risk indicators.
• Develop and maintain risk policies and procedures aligned with industry best practices.
• Develop risk mitigation strategies surrounding minors on campus.

• Provide training and awareness programs for faculty, staff, and students on emergency preparedness and risk mitigation.
• Maintain required documentation, reporting, and regulatory submissions.

• Serve as primary liaison to local, state, and federal emergency management agencies.
• Coordinate with law enforcement, fire services, public health agencies, and community partners.
• Represent the University in regional emergency planning committees and mutual aid networks.

• Manage departmental budget.
• Develop annual goals, metrics, and reports for University leadership.
• Advise University leadership on institutional risk posture and emergency preparedness readiness.

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in public safety, law enforcement, emergency management, risk management, business continuity, occupational safety, or a closely related area.
• Working knowledge of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS).
• Experience coordinating with law enforcement, fire and rescue services, emergency medical services, public health agencies, emergency management agencies, and other governmental or community partners.
• Experience with emergency notification systems, emergency operations centers, crisis communications, or emergency management technology.
• Ability to identify and assess risks and develop practical risk mitigation strategies.
• Experience managing budgets, contracts, or departmental resources.
• Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with senior leadership, employees, students, public safety personnel, and external agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain composure when responding to emergencies, crises, and other time-sensitive situations.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and coordinate projects involving multiple departments or agencies.
• Ability to respond to University emergencies outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as necessary.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel as required for University business.

• Fifteen or more years of progressively responsible experience in public…