Interim Executive Director, Safety & Security

Interim Executive Director, Safety & Security

Reports to:

Chief Human Resources Officer

Location:

GTA North

Duration: 4-6 Months

Our client, a large, multi-site academic institution, is seeking an experienced  Interim Executive Director, Safety & Security  to provide leadership during a period of transformation and organizational renewal.

This executive interim assignment presents a unique opportunity to both  fly the plane and help remodel it while in flight .

The successful leader will provide day-to-day operational leadership for a diverse safety and security function while simultaneously conducting a comprehensive review of the department's people, structure, processes, systems, and strategy. The goal is to ensure the institution is well-positioned to meet the evolving safety, security, and risk management requirements of a modern academic environment.

This is an ideal role for a seasoned safety and security executive who thrives in complex environments, enjoys challenging the status quo, and has a proven track record leading modernization initiatives that enhance organizational effectiveness, stakeholder confidence, and community safety.

The Mandate
Operational Leadership ("Flying the Plane")
The Interim Executive Director will immediately assume accountability for the effective operation of security and safety services across a geographically dispersed campus environment.

Key priorities include:

Providing steady, visible leadership to an established safety and security team

Ensuring continuity of services during a period of organizational transition

Overseeing the delivery of integrated security operations across multiple locations

Supporting emergency management, incident response, investigations, threat assessment, and crisis preparedness activities

Building strong relationships with academic leaders, faculty, staff, students, unions, and external partners

Maintaining a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for students, employees, visitors, and community stakeholders

Providing executive-level guidance on emerging risks and critical incidents

Working collaboratively with facilities, human resources, student services, legal counsel, and executive leadership

Strategic Review & Modernization ("Remodeling the Plane")
In parallel with operational leadership, the Executive Director will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the institution's safety and security function.

This review will focus on:

Organizational Structure

Assessing current leadership and team structures

Evaluating spans of control, governance, accountability, and role clarity

Identifying capability and capacity gaps

Reviewing succession and talent risks

People & Culture

Evaluating team effectiveness and performance

Assessing leadership capabilities across the function

Identifying opportunities to strengthen engagement, accountability, and service culture

Providing objective observations regarding organizational readiness and future-state requirements

Processes & Operations

Reviewing operational workflows and service delivery models

Assessing incident management and escalation protocols

Evaluating investigation practices and case management approaches

Identifying opportunities for standardization, optimization, and efficiency

Reviewing security technologies, monitoring capabilities, and reporting tools

Assessing integration opportunities across safety, risk, and emergency management functions

Identifying modernization opportunities that improve effectiveness while creating operational efficiencies

Benchmarking current practices against leading public-sector and educational institutions

Assessing alignment between organizational risks and security priorities

Developing strategic recommendations that support the institution's long-term objectives

Creating a practical roadmap for modernization and transformation

The successful interim leader will be expected to:

Stabilize and effectively lead the safety and security function

Build credibility and confidence across key stakeholder groups

Complete a comprehensive organizational assessment

Identify quick wins and priority improvement opportunities

Deliver data-driven recommendations regarding people, structure, governance, technology, and service delivery

Provide executive-level insights and recommendations to the CHRO and senior leadership team

Develop a future-state operating model and modernization roadmap

Support transition planning and implementation priorities for the next phase of the function's evolution

Ideal Candidate Profile
We are seeking a…