Director of Public Safety & Transportation | Miami Beach Convention Center

Oak View Group

Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry.

Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

Position Summary

This pivotal leadership role operates 24 / 7 and holds paramount importance in orchestrating the development, implementation, and management of a robust public safety, security, and transportation program for the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) and its Campus, with a keen eye on event dynamics.

It's imperative to ensure unwavering compliance with all relevant federal, state, and city regulations, especially during events.

Direct supervision extends to a workforce of approximately 50 full and part-time personnel, alongside an approved event security contractor.

Furthermore, collaboration with crucial internal and external stakeholders, notably the first responder community, is indispensable to fortify and optimize every facet of the MBCC's security and life safety initiatives and infrastructure, particularly in the context of events.

This role will pay a salary of $90,000 to $110,000.

For FT roles : Benefits : Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 401(k) savings plan, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 12 holidays)

job expires 9 / 3 / 24

About the Venue

The award-winning Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) welcomes meeting and event planners, exhibitors and attendees to Miami Beach and Miami.

Reimagined following a $640-million-dollar renovation, the MBCC provides a world-class, state-of-the-art event venue for exceptional conferences, conventions, tradeshows, and meetings.

A LEED Silver certified green building, the venue includes a magnificent Grand Ballroom, 500,000 square feet of flexible exhibition halls, 4 junior ballrooms, outdoor terraces & parks, and 84 breakout rooms.

The MBCC’s immediate proximity to lively South Beach, Lincoln Road, Ocean Drive, and many other Miami Beach cultural arts attractions make it an ideal venue for your next event.

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Responsibilities

Leadership

• Collaborate closely with the Public Safety and Transportation Department (PSTD) management team to lead and develop public safety and transportation personnel through coaching, mentoring, and ongoing training programs.
• Assess and enhance the effectiveness of training initiatives in conjunction with the PSTD management team.
• Work in partnership with Human Resources and the Assistant General Manager (AGM) to provide recommendations on hiring and disciplinary actions for staff.
• Ensure the administration and regular updates of all public safety and transportation policies, rules, best practices, and procedures.
• Maintain strict adherence to MBCC's Event Planning Guides (EPG), Code of Conduct, Threat Assessments, Emergency Preparedness, Mode of Transportation (MOT) and Parking Plans as well as other relevant documents.
• Demonstrate quick thinking and the ability to take immediate action in emergency situations, ensuring the safety and security of all.

Safety / Security and Transportation :

• Leads the planning, assessment, and implementation of the PSTD
• Proactively improves operations through ongoing evaluation.
• Establishes and enforces security regulations and manages access control systems.
• Updates emergency, transportation and parking plans and policies to meet evolving standards.
• Provides comprehensive training on security systems and procedures.
• Recommends electronic security enhancements for efficiency and effectiveness.
• Stays current on safety, security and transportation industry changes to ensure compliance.
• Sets and enforces standards for MBCC, its Campus and event-specific needs.
• Collaborates on event planning to address safety, security and transportation needs.
• Directs investigations and oversees subordinates when needed.
• Manages event security contractors and billing processes.
• Responds 24 / 7 to emergencies and acts as Incident Commander as needed.

Emergency Preparedness

• Leads emergency preparedness efforts, overseeing creation, training, and exercises of plans, best practices, procedures, and protocols for PSTD and MBCC.
• Establishes and nurtures partnerships with neighboring properties and emergency responders.
• Assesses, develops, and updates emergency plans, presenting recommendations to MBCC leadership regularly.
• Manages MBCC Emergency Preparedness strategies, including personnel training.
• Ensures detailed understanding of Emergency Operations Procedures among PSTD personnel.
• Implements inspection schedules for life safety and medical equipment in compliance with guidelines and laws.
• Directs premises inspections to test alarms, identify hazards, and enforce safety rules.
• Ensures utilization of the national incident management system (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) during emergencies.

Threat and Risk Assessment

• Conducts thorough threat and risk assessments of MBCC events to identify venue vulnerabilities, both internal and external while making recommendations to mitigate or eliminate said vulnerabilities.
• Ensures staff education, training, and timely completion of incident reports.
• Maintains regular communication with insurance representatives and if needed the MBCC’s Director of Finance for timely submissions.
• Takes charge of ongoing intelligence collection and threat vulnerability assessment to safeguard MBCC, its campus and events from various threats.

Operations & Budgets

• Oversee and enhance departmental operations for optimal efficiency and creativity, aligning with client / customer needs and MBCC security protocols.
• Manage Public Safety Capital & Operating budgets, forecasting requirements, and ensuring adherence to organizational expenditure guidelines.

External Relations

• Serve as MBCC's primary contact with the 1st responder community via federal, state, and local law enforcement, fire, EMS, and civil defense agencies to coordinate operations, combat crime and terrorism, and ensure preparedness for emergencies.
• Foster relationships with neighboring communities, businesses, and facilities to effectively address emergencies affecting MBCC and its Campus.
• Direct emergency response activities in collaboration with relevant authorities during fires, severe weather, protests, riots, medical crises, and other emergencies.
• Represent MBCC in public safety and security industry organizations, addressing community concerns and attending relevant meetings, including ASIS, ESCA, FVMA, IAVM, IAEE, and PCMA.
• Building and bridging a very strong public safety, security, and transportation industry network group to support all aspects of the MBCC, its campus, clients, customers, and contract partners.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES :

Exercising strong leadership, directly oversees all Public Safety Staff, including the Public Safety Manager, Public Safety Shift Supervisors, Public Safety Officers (full-time and part-time), Transportation Manager, Loading Dock Supervisor, and Transportation Agents.

• Assumes supervisory responsibilities in alignment with OVG Spectra’s policies and relevant laws. These duties encompass interviewing, hiring, and training personnel;
• assigning tasks and providing guidance; evaluating performance; administering rewards; collaborating with Human Resources and AGM on disciplinary measures;

and effectively managing grievances and resolving issues. This leadership ensures the smooth operation and effectiveness of the entire Public Safety and Transportation Department.

Qualifications

To excel in this role, a candidate must demonstrate proficiency in fulfilling each essential duty with excellence. The outlined requirements serve as benchmarks for the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Reasonable accommodation will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to execute these critical functions. Leadership prowess is paramount for effectively guiding the team to success in meeting these standards, including the ability to decide and act independently.

Moreover, being effective, direct, efficient, and nimble are essential attributes for navigating the dynamic demands of the position.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE :

A bachelor's degree in a relevant field and at least 5 to 7 years of senior management experience are prerequisites for this position.

Significant expertise in venue / campus management, public safety, and transportation management is imperative, along with experience in overseeing events, budgets, and capital projects.

The ideal candidate will possess established and extensive positive working relationships with all federal, state, and local law enforcement, public safety, and emergency medical personnel.

This experience is not just desirable but crucial for ensuring the safety, security, and efficient operation of the venue.

• Must have a strong understanding of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Incident Management System (NIMS) and demonstrate successful completion of Incident Command System Classes (ICS) 100 / 200 / 300.
• CPR; SIRA; AED; First Aid Certified; Convention Hospitality and / or Hotel industry experience would be helpful but not required.
• The ideal candidate must exhibit strong organizational skills and possess the ability to collaborate effectively within a team environment.

They must demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities and be adept at building rapport with individuals across all levels of the organization.

• A quick and versatile leader is essential for navigating diverse challenges and fostering a cohesive and productive work environment.
• Demonstrated participation or membership in industry organizations, including ASIS, ESCA, IAVM, IAEE, and PCMA, would be beneficial, though not mandatory.
• Building a robust network of partners and maintaining strong industry relations are integral aspects of this role, contributing to the overall success and effectiveness of venue operations.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES :

• Extensive leadership experience in public safety, security, loading dock and transportation management.
• In-depth understanding and application of federal, state, and local laws governing security operations.
• Ability to evaluate, develop, and implement effective management systems, policies, and controls.
• Demonstrated capacity for making sound and expert independent judgments within established policy guidelines.
• Proven track record of establishing and maintaining productive relationships with government entities, clients, customers, and contract partners.
• Wealth of knowledge in modern security and safety procedures, policies, and standard operating procedures, particularly within the convention, meeting, special events, exhibition, and trade show industry.
• Proficient in planning and coordinating security and safety investigations.
• Well-versed in principles and practices of management and supervision.
• Quick decision-making ability and emotional stability during extreme emergency situations.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, customer service, and problem-solving abilities.
• Committed to excellence in customer service and adaptable to change.
• Dedicated to developing, implementing, and maintaining industry best practices, rules, policies, and procedures.

COMPUTER SKILLS :

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Adobe Read and Write, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and be internet proficient.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS :

Valid driver’s license required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the Director of Public Safety Job.

Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of the Director of Public Safety Job.

While performing the responsibilities of the Director of Public Safety and Transportation Job, the employee is required to talk and listen.

The employee is often required to sit and use their hands and fingers, to handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

The vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

This position will require a considerable amount of walking, climbing, stooping, and possibly heavy lifting.

This position requires work in both indoor and outdoor settings.

It also may be subjected to adverse conditions, including physical contact from hostile individuals.

WORKING CONDITIONS :

While performing the responsibilities of the Director of Public Safety Job, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the Director of Public Safety will encounter.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the

Director of Public Safety.

The Director of Public Safety works both in an office setting with minimal adverse exposure to environmental hazards, and in indoor and outdoor work settings with mild adverse exposure to environmental hazards.

The incumbent must be able to climb stairs and ladders and walk long distances to access all areas of the facility. The noise level in the work environment is usually mild to loud.