Security Manager | McCormick Place

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

Responsible for coordinating with various divisions on the event planning, maintenance and enhancement of security and life safety systems.

Ensures safety / security of staff and guests, protection of equipment and property. Consults with and advises McCormick Place’s Director of Public Safety on security, safety, and transportation matters.

Evaluates security systems, equipment, and operations of the facility. Supervises a 24 / 7 workforce comprised of security and fire / life safety professionals.

Works closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and other coordinating agencies to ensure public safety and effective security protocols.

The salary range for this position is $70,000.00 - $80,000.00

Benefits 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).

This position will remain open until Oct 31, 2024

About the Venue

McCormick Place located in downtown Chicago is the largest and most flexible convention center in North America., With over 2.

6 million square feet of exhibition space, the campus proudly hosts some of the world’s largest and most prestigious conventions, meetings, and trade shows, welcoming approximately 3 million visitors to Chicago every year.

Responsibilities

Leadership

• Responsible for the overall development of Safety and Security personnel through leadership, training, coaching, and mentoring.
• Working with the Fire & Life Safety and Security Management Team, develops, manages, and delivers comprehensive facility wide training and exercise programs to include regularly scheduled drills, tabletop exercises, red team exercises in coordination with other service providers and local authorities.
• Administers all public safety related policies, rules, and procedures, and directs subordinates in carrying out day-to-day public safety related duties.

Safety / Security

• Plans, develops, organizes, implements, directs, and evaluates the Public Safety and security needs of McCormick Place.
• Proactively identifies opportunities to enhance public safety and security operations through continuous evaluation and improvement.
• Establishes the appropriate levels of security for McCormick Place and ensures all applicable security protocols are being enforced.
• Continues to review and update emergency plans and public safety / security policies and procedures.
• Remains current on issues regarding changes to technology and laws, ordinances, rules and / or procedures affecting the public safety / security industry to ensure compliance and the safety and security of staff, guests, and attendees.
• Develops establishes standards for public safety / security needs for McCormick Place and for events utilizing the facility.
• Prior to, during, and following events, works in conjunction with other departments, clients and client contractors related to event security and public safety needs.
• Interprets public safety / security rules and procedures and directs subordinates in enforcing compliance.
• Maintains working knowledge of all event related security contracts, approves event security staffing and cost estimates for show management and exhibitors and performs billing reviews.
• Responds to and / or assists subordinates in responding to emergency calls for service and acts as the McCormick Place’s Incident Commander when applicable.
• Oversees and reviews investigations of incidents on McCormick Place property.

Emergency Preparedness

• Establishes and maintains partnerships with neighboring properties, event-contracted security providers, and emergency first responders with the Federal, State, and City agencies.
• Assesses and advises on the development of emergency procedural plans and presents recommendations to Department leadership on an ongoing basis.
• Responsible for ensuring all Department personnel (Full & Part Time) have a detailed understanding of McCormick Place’s Emergency Operations Procedures including but not limited to Venue Evacuation Procedures.

Operations

Monitor and evaluate departmental operations with the aim of developing ideas and activities that will allow the staff to perform those functions in the most creative, cost effective and economical method while ensuring that staff and security procedures within McCormick Place are responsive to the needs of the client.

External Relations

• Acts as McCormick Place’s liaison with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, fire, EMS, and civil defense agencies to coordinate operations, detect and deter crime and terrorism, and to prepare for and respond to emergencies at McCormick Place.
• Develops a working relationship with surrounding communities and facilities to respond effectively to emergencies which may from time to time impact Mcormick Place.
• In conjunction with the proper authorities, direct activities during fires, storms, riots, medical and other emergencies.
• Represents McCormick Place with all public safety and security industry organizations, addresses community issues and attendees’ relevant meetings as appropriate.

This includes but is not limited to industry organizations such as ASIS, ESCA, IAVM, IAEE and PCMA

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES :

Directly manages and supervises all Public Safety staff and contract security personnel. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with OVG’s policies and applicable laws.

Responsibilities include interviewing, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work appraising performance;

rewarding; disciplining employees in conjunction with Human Resources; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE :

Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice or related field and 6 - 10 years of experience at a management level; significant experience in public safety;

established, extensive positive working relationships with all federal, state, and local law enforcement, public safety, and emergency medical personnel is highly desirable.

• 3-5 years of command level experience at the Lieutenant level or higher in law enforcement is highly desirable.
• Must have a strong understanding of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Incident Management System (NIMS).

Successful completion of Incident Command System Classes (ICS) 100 / 200 / 700 / 300 desirable.

• CPR / AED; First Aid Certified
• Hospitality industry experience in a large convention center is highly desirable.
• Must be a well-organized individual who is a team player and can relate to people at all levels of an organization.
• Proven participation or membership in industry organizations such as but not limited to ASIS, ESCA, IAVM, IAEE and PCMA would be helpful but not required.

DESIREABLE QUALIFICATIONS :

Experience in and / or detailed knowledge of the convention, meetings, exhibition, and trade show industry.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES :

• Extensive management level experience in the public safety and security areas.
• Understand, interpret, explain, and apply federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing the conduct that affect security operations.
• Evaluate, develop, and implement management systems, policies, and controls.
• Exercise sound and expert independent judgement within general policy guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the local government entities, clients, and staff.
• Knowledge of modern security and safety procedures, policies, standard operating procedures, and methods.
• Knowledge in planning and coordination of security and safety investigations.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of management and supervision.
• Knowledge of the convention, meeting, special events, exhibition, and trade show industry.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establishes facts, and draw valid conclusions, within seconds, if needed, during extreme emergency situations.
• Ability to demonstrate emotional stability during periods of tension and stress while carrying out assigned duties.
• Ability to recognize emergency situations and direct prompt and effective corrective measures.
• Ability to express ideas and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Possess excellent interpersonal, communication, written, customer service and problem-solving skills, in dealing with guests, clients, employees, contractors and external organizations.
• Is flexible and committed to excellence in customer service.
• Develop, augment, implement and maintain industry best practices, rules, policies, and procedures.

COMPUTER SKILLS :

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

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS :

• Valid driver’s license required.
• APP, CPP or PSP certification through ASIS International highly desirable

PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the Security Manager job.

Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of the Security Manager job.

While performing the responsibilities of the Security Manager job, the employee is required to talk and hear. 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.

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 condition, including physical contact from hostile individuals.

WORKING CONDITIONS :

While performing the responsibilities of the Security Manager job, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the Security Manager will encounter.

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

The Security Manager 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.

This position will be required to work days, nights, weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, etc. as the event calendar necessitates.

This position will primarily work evening and overnight hours.