Chief Of Security, Obama Foundation

About the Obama Foundation

At the Obama Foundation, we are guided by a core belief: that ordinary people working together can change history. Our mission is to inspire those people to take action, empower them to change their world for the better, and connect them so they can achieve more together than they can alone.

We were founded by community organizers, so when we seek change, we do it by bringing people together.

That approach begins at home, on the South Side of Chicago, where we are building the Obama Presidential Center. The Center represents a historic opportunity for Chicago: a chance to build a world-class museum and public gathering space that celebrates our nation's first African American President and First Lady, steps away from where he began his career, where she was raised, and where—together—they made their home.

But that approach extends to all our work, whether it's holding leadership training sessions in communities throughout the U.S., bringing local leaders together in countries around the world, working to support the global education of girls, or ensuring young men of color have pathways to opportunity.

As President Obama has said, "we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together." So join us.

For more information, please visit www.obama.org.

Purpose of the Role

The Chief of Security, Obama Foundation, will oversee all aspects of security for the enterprise. A primary focus of this role is to lead all security oversight for the Obama Presidential Center ensuring the safety of staff, visitors, and artifacts while creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. You will provide security oversight for other Obama Foundation activities and spaces including but not limited to the Foundation's non-OPC offices, including those in Chicago, Illinois and Washington DC. This role will also work with the programming teams to assess needs and protocols for security related to global and domestic programming and events.

During the pre-opening phase, the Chief of Security is responsible for creating security protocols and procedures, onboarding and training staff, and procuring any necessary vendors and security equipment. Once the Center opens, you will oversee all aspects of day-to-day campus security operations, including but not limited to emergency preparedness, electronic security systems and access control, and risk mitigation. They will oversee security operations in all spaces across the OPC campus, including the Museum, Auditorium, Forum, Athletic Center, grounds and other outdoor spaces.

As the Chief of Security, you'll be reporting directly to the Vice President of Operations, OPC.

Core Job Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Work closely with the Director of Visitor Services to ensure a welcoming, inclusive, and safe visitor experience.
• In consultation with multiple stakeholders, manage the selection, contracting, and onboarding of security operating partners to assist on-site security during large events or as otherwise needed.
• In collaboration with the OPC Procurement Team and IT Team, oversee the procurement, installation, and use of security equipment and technology including, but not limited to, video surveillance, security screening, access control, and other physical infrastructure.
• Develop relationships with any local, state, or federal law enforcement for security emergencies and incidents. Interface with Chicago Park District and Chicago Public Library security to ensure aligned security procedures.
• Hire, train and supervise key security staff necessary to open and operate the Center.

Key Deliverables / Outcomes

• Development of overall detailed security budget, and ongoing management of budget.
• Creation of comprehensive security plans and procedures, including emergency preparedness, risk assessments, and event security.
• Onboarding of high performing security vendors and staff.
• Timely and cost-effective procurement of all security vendors, if outsourced, to meet the opening schedule of the Center.

Required Qualifications

• Significant experience with supervising and training security staff with a high level of customer service.
• At least 15 years of senior-level experience in law enforcement or a related role.
• Experience successfully managing complex projects and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Significant experience managing security operations of complex, visitor-facing organization(s) with a large campus with many types of buildings, including but not limited to a museum, community center, parking garage, and public grounds.

In the interest of employee health and safety during the pendency of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Obama Foundation is requiring that all prospective employees present proof that they are fully-vaccinated against COVID-19, or seek a reasonable accommodation for religious or medical reasons, prior to their first day of employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Foundation is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please e-mail us at [email protected] if you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application.