Director of Protective Services

Medora, ND

THE THEODORE ROOSEVELT PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY FOUNDATION

“Believe you can, and you’re halfway there.”
-Theodore Roosevelt

Since 2014, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation (TRPLF) has been planning and building a new, ambitious kind of presidential library and museum. Other presidential libraries tell the story of a single individual, but the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library (TRPL) – being built more than a century after T.R.’s death – will do more than preserve history. The TRPL will be a people’s library, bringing Roosevelt’s values and relentless spirit to life at a critical time in our nation and world, while simultaneously championing the stories of all who “dare greatly, think boldly, care deeply, and live passionately.”

The library is currently being constructed in Medora, North Dakota, with a milestone planned for July 4, 2026 – America’s 250th anniversary. Participants at the TRPL will learn from – not just about – Roosevelt’s story, being transformed into the same stunning Badlands that served as the fulcrum in T.R.’s incredible life story.

Guided by the pillar principles of leadership, citizenship, and conservation, the Foundation has partnered with innovative partners – like the award-winning architecture firm, Snøhetta , and the best-in‑class story crafters, the Future of Storytelling – to build an institution like no other. With plans to be the most sustainable presidential library and campus ever, a revolutionary approach to interpretive design, and programming that will spread the library’s message into neighboring Theodore Roosevelt National Park and beyond across the globe, the opportunity to join a talented team in building and opening this institution is truly unique.

The Director of Protective Services will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library’s comprehensive protective services program — ensuring the safety and security of visitors, staff, volunteers, artifacts, collections, distinguished guests, and campus infrastructure. This is a rare opportunity to help build and lead a world‑class protective services operation at one of the nation’s most ambitious cultural institutions, located in the rugged beauty of North Dakota’s Badlands.

This role serves as the senior leader responsible for protective services strategy, emergency preparedness, risk management, physical security systems, investigations, and operational resilience across the Library campus and related properties. The Director will lead a growing protective services department, including managers, supervisors, officers, contractors, and external security partners, while helping shape the long‑term safety culture of the organization.

This position is charged with protecting people, places, collections, and reputation — from daily visitor operations to highly complex events involving presidents, heads of state, dignitaries, donors, public officials, and nationally recognized guests. The Director of Protective Services will oversee protective operations not only for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library campus, but also for select Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation events, programs, traveling exhibitions, and executive engagements across North Dakota and throughout the United States.

The Director serves as the organization’s senior security and protective operations leader and works closely with executive leadership, operations, facilities, visitor experience, exhibitions, events, information technology, and external agencies to ensure a secure, welcoming, and mission‑aligned environment. This role requires balancing sophisticated protective operations with hospitality, accessibility, discretion, and public trust.

The ideal candidate is a calm, strategic, and highly collaborative leader with experience operating in complex public‑facing environments where security, executive presence, logistics, visitor experience, and interagency coordination must work seamlessly together.

This is more than a leadership role— it's an opportunity to lead a world‑class protective services program at one of…