Director of Safety & Security

Blair is seeking a Director of Safety & Security to lead and continually enhance the School’s security operations, emergency preparedness programs, crisis response protocols and enterprise risk management strategies. Reporting to the Chief Financial & Operations Officer, this 12-month staff position combines strategic leadership with hands-on oversight of personnel, systems and day-to-day operations. The Director will serve as the public face of campus safety, working closely with internal stakeholders and local emergency responders to foster a culture of awareness, preparedness and trust. The successful candidate will regularly collaborate with students, parents, employees and alumni to ensure the safety and well-being of every member of the Blair community and the security of the School’s 463-acre campus.

Duties & responsibilities

Security management

• Lead and manage the security team, developing and refining operational strategy and safety standards in alignment with industry best practices.
• Define and communicate the role and mission of security at Blair.
• Develop and update written policies, staff procedures and task lists.
• Supervise daily operations and performance of security officers.
• Create and manage departmental schedules to ensure full campus coverage.
• Oversee security logistics for large events such as Commencement and Family Weekend.
• Identify and implement training opportunities for staff development.
• Leverage security technologies to strengthen operations and incident response.
• Develop and manage protocols for prevention, response and follow-up.
• Investigate, document and follow up on all incidents and accidents.
• Collaborate with school leadership to implement action items from assessments and audits.
• Partner with vendors and security consultants to assess and enhance systems and practices.

Emergency training & response

• Work closely with students, faculty and staff across departments to ensure operational continuity and community safety.
• Schedule, conduct and document all required safety and emergency drills, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory standards.
• Continuously refine emergency response processes to improve clarity and execution.
• Review and communicate emergency response plans across the school community.
• Serve as Chair of Blair’s Crisis Response Committee.
• Provide strategic insight on risk management to the business office and other administrative departments.
• Oversee safety protocols for all school trips and student activities.
• Review travel itineraries, research destinations, manage waiver documentation, and educate trip leaders on medical and evacuation procedures.
• Evaluate student activities from a risk management perspective and ensure appropriate safety measures are in place.

Transportation

• Oversee the written and behind-the-wheel training, record-keeping, compliance reporting, audits and inspections related to employees’ commercial drivers licenses (CDL) as required by the New Jersey Motor Vehicles Commission.

Relationship-building & communication

• Promote prevention education and increase awareness of safety policies and procedures throughout the community.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships across all departments and grade levels, ensuring security is a visible, approachable and integrated function at Blair.
• Develop strong, collaborative relationships with local law enforcement and first responders, engaging regularly to address shared concerns.
• Evaluate and improve communication channels related to safety and security across the School.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of school safety and security practices preferred, ideally in a 24/7 residential environment.
• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of supervisory experience in safety, risk management, criminal justice, law enforcement or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Excellent interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills across a range of constituencies.
• Strong understanding of the school setting and how security supports campus culture.
• Ability to remain calm and responsive in high-pressure situations.
• Flexibility to work outside of standard business hours to manage events and supervise staff.
• Current certification in first aid, CPR, and AED (training available if needed).
• Proficiency in Google Suite and other relevant software.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, climb stairs, and lift up to 25 pounds.

Salary & other compensation

Base pay range $90,000-$115,000. Salary depends on numerous factors, including but not limited to education and experience.

Benefits

Including, but not limited to: paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, retirement, medical, dental and vision insurance, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and access to our dining hall for lunch, fitness center and golf course.

School setting

Founded in 1848, Blair Academy is a dynamic, coeducational boarding school in northwest New Jersey where 470 students pursue a superior college preparatory education amid a caring, vibrant community. Strong faculty-student relationships lead to exceptional learning and empower students to become persons of great accomplishment and character.

How to apply

Resume and cover letter and should be forwarded to Blair Academy’s human resources department at Blair Academy, P.O. Box 600, Blairstown, N.J. 07825-0600 or by email to [email protected]. No phone inquiries, please.

Blair Academy seeks and supports employees who enliven and strengthen our community through their contributions to our classrooms, extracurricular activities and their desire to bring people together in a welcoming, inclusive community. We are committed to hiring people from a diversity of backgrounds. We do not discriminate against any applicants, as we ensure equal employment opportunities for all.