Job Description

Director of Security

This is a full time position that provides a salary commensurate with experience and outstanding benefits in a truth and grace filled work environment.

The Director of Security is responsible for the strategic planning, development, implementation, and oversight of a comprehensive, proactive safety and security program across all church campuses, properties, and ministries. This role ensures a secure and welcoming environment for all staff, members, guests, and property assets, while providing expert leadership to the church's staff and volunteer teams. The Director of Security provides leadership on all aspects of church safety, security, policies, procedures, protocols and training for HPUMC.

Reports To: Executive Director of Operations & CFO

Ministerial Exemption: No

FLSA Status: Exempt

Campus: Highland Park

Working Hours: This is full time position that will work an anticipated 38 hours per week

Anticipated Schedule: Mon-Thurs 8am – 5pm (includes a 60 min break), Sunday 7am – 1pm

During certain times of the year, additional hours may be required to meet the job's demands. All church staff will be asked to support and serve for religious holidays and worship services, including Christmas Eve and Easter.

Key Job Responsibilities and Duties:

I. Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Develop, maintain, and regularly update a comprehensive, organization-wide Safety and Security Plan (including Emergency Action Plans and Crisis Management Protocols) for various scenarios, such as medical emergencies, fires, severe weather, natural disasters, active threats, and internal security incidents, across multiple campuses.
• Conduct regular risk assessments and security audits for all campuses, properties, and church-sponsored events (on-site and off-site) to identify vulnerabilities and recommend corrective actions.
• Provide leadership and direction in all areas of physical security, loss control, and risk management, ensuring a balance between security needs and a welcoming church atmosphere.
• Maintain current knowledge of security threats, trends, and legal requirements specific to faith-based organizations and multi-campus environments.
• Work closely with the Director of Building Services for budgeting, risk management and facilities coordination.

II. Security Operations and Management

• Directly supervise security contractors and liaise with SMU police. Highland Park/University Park police and security firms. Serve as the overall leader for the volunteer Security and Safety Team across all locations.
• Establish and enforce security policies and procedures for all campuses and ministry areas (e.g., Children's Ministry, Youth Ministry, worship services, executive protection).
• Coordinate the security schedule and deployment for all weekend services, mid-week activities, and special events.
• In collaboration with the Facilities Department, manage the access control system, surveillance camera system, burglar alarm system, key control program, and other key security infrastructure systems.
• In collaboration with the Business Office, pick up mail from Post Office box and deliver back to Business Office.
• In collaboration with the Business Office, take financial deposits to bank.
• Serve as the church's Incident Commander in the event of a significant security or safety crisis, coordinating the on-scene response and communication with church leadership.

III. Team Development and Training

• Recruit, train, develop, and manage a robust team of security volunteers, ensuring they are appropriately vetted, trained, equipped, and scheduled to cover all church activities.
• Develop and implement an ongoing training program for all staff, covering topics such as observation techniques, conflict resolution, first aid/CPR, use of force (if applicable), and emergency response—document and track qualification data.
• Develop and conduct mandatory safety and security awareness training for all church staff and key ministry leaders.
• Organize and conduct regular security and emergency response drills (e.g., fire, severe weather, active threat) across all campuses.

IV. Communication & External Coordination

• Receive, assess, and disseminate as appropriate, criminal and threat intelligence from outside federal, state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies.
• Serve as the primary liaison and point of contact with local law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) to establish collaborative relationships and coordinate unified responses.
• Coordinate with clergy and other ministry leaders to ensure local security needs and campus-specific procedures are met.
• Manage all security-related internal investigations, prepare detailed incident reports, and make presentations to church leadership as required.
• Provide severe weather monitoring and notification to appropriate personnel.
• Be available 24/7 to respond to security and safety incidents as needed (coverage includes some evenings, weekend services, and holiday events as needed).

Other duties as assigned. Changes may occur at any time without advance notice.

Education and Required Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, Security Management or related program field required.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in law enforcement, security or a related field required.
• Demonstrated extensive experience in developing and implementing security, safety, and emergency management programs, policies, and procedures.
• Required to conceal carry while on campus. Texas State Level IV or higher licensed Security Guard currently commissioned by a licensed security company or Letter of Authority in the state of Texas.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience:

• Experience at the senior or command level in a law enforcement organization.
• Experience in leading safety, security and emergency management operations within a house of worship.
• Experience in intelligence collection, analysis and application.
• Experience in conducting vulnerability, risk and threat assessments, and developing actionable mitigation strategies.

Competencies and Skills:

• Excellent observation skills, communication and interpersonal skills, presentation skills, and problem-solving skills are required.
• Must possess natural ability to lead and train others with confidence and clarity.
• Must possess the ability to exercise sound and strong management skills and direct correct courses of action during times of crisis and emergent situations.
• Must possess unquestionable discretion and integrity.
• Certifications in First Aid/CPR/AED are preferred; certifications in security management or emergency response (e.g., ICS) are a plus.
• Extensive knowledge of security principles, risk assessment, access control, and electronic surveillance technologies.

Preferred Software Experience:

• Microsoft Office suite
• Knowledge of facilities access controls

Physical Demands: Sitting Standing Walking Seeing Hearing Speaking Lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds Fine Motor Skills

Other Qualifications: Must be a committed Christian who is comfortable working in a United Methodist church environment. Our employees are called to lead a life that embodies the gospel, and we expect them to exhibit a proper demeanor both on and off the job.

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