Director, Physical Security Systems and Access Control - Enterprise Physical Operations

Location

St. Louis, MO 63110

Scheduled Hours

40

Position Summary

The Enterprise Physical Operations, Infrastructure, Capital Programs & Real Estate (EPO) department at WashU provides integrated operational, infrastructure, planning, and facility services that support the university’s mission of excellence in education, research, patient care, and community engagement.

Guided by our PRIDE+ Core Values of Professionalism & Planning, Respect & Responsibility, Integrity & Integration, Dedication & Delivery, Excellence & Enterprise Alignment, and Accountability & Stewardship, EPO fosters a culture centered on collaboration, strategic partnership, innovation, accountability, and service excellence across the university enterprise.

EPO manages and supports 28 million gross square feet across 235+ buildings and associated infrastructure systems, encompassing academic, research, clinical, residential, administrative, and support facilities across the university’s campuses and operations. Our teams provide strategic leadership and operational expertise in facility management, infrastructure services, capital project delivery, real estate operations, planning, sustainability, engineering, maintenance, environmental services, public safety support, and enterprise operational services.

EPO creates and maintains safe, innovative, efficient, mission-driven environments that support our students, faculty, staff, patients, researchers, and community partners.

For additional information and to hear directly from members of our team, please visit: https://facilities.med.wustl.edu/Careers.

Serves as the enterprise leader responsible for access control, key management, CCTV, and security technology operations across Washington University's Danforth and WashU Medicine campuses. Provides strategic and operational leadership for security technology infrastructure, enterprise access governance, physical security standards, and related capital investments.

Leads a multi-campus team and partners with university leadership, public safety, facilities, information technology, healthcare affiliates, and external vendors to ensure security systems are reliable, compliant, and aligned with institutional priorities. Plays a critical part in advancing enterprise security strategy, supporting organizational growth, and leading the integration of previously separate campus operations into a unified security systems program.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Enterprise Operations

• Provides strategic and operational leadership for all enterprise access control, key management, CCTV, and related security technology functions across the Danforth and WashU Medicine campuses.
• Establishes departmental goals, operational priorities, performance standards, and service delivery expectations that support university-wide security objectives.
• Leads the continued integration and alignment of security systems operations, governance, and processes across multiple campus environments while maintaining business continuity and stakeholder engagement.

Security Systems & Access Governance

• Directs enterprise access control, credentialing, key management, CCTV, and related security technology programs, ensuring system reliability, effectiveness, and operational excellence.
• Establishes and maintains enterprise-wide policies, standards, and governance frameworks for physical and electronic access management.
• Collaborates with Information Security, Public Safety, and institutional partners to ensure appropriate cybersecurity controls, data integrity, and regulatory compliance for security systems and associated technologies.

Capital Planning & Technology Lifecycle Management

• Develops and executes long-range strategies for security technology modernization, lifecycle replacements, repairs and renewal initiatives, and capital investment planning.
• Partners with Facilities, Information Technology, Capital Projects, and Planning teams to ensure security requirements are incorporated into construction, renovation, and infrastructure projects.
• Oversees vendor relationships, contract performance, technology procurement, and service partnerships supporting enterprise security operations.

People Leadership & Organizational Development

• Leads, develops, and mentors managers, supervisors, and technical staff while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, customer service, and continuous improvement.
• Directs workforce planning, performance management, succession planning, employee development, and organizational change initiatives supporting a high-performing enterprise operation.

Executive Stakeholder Engagement

• Serves as the university's principal advisor and subject matter expert on access control, security systems, and physical security technology matters.
• Presents strategic recommendations, operational performance metrics, risk assessments, and capital investment priorities to senior and executive leadership.
• Builds and maintains strong collaborative relationships with university leadership, public safety organizations, healthcare affiliates, facilities teams, information technology groups, regulatory agencies, and external partners.

Risk Management, Compliance & Incident Support

• Leads security technology risk assessment, compliance, audits, and incident-support activities by leveraging access control, CCTV, and physical security data to inform decision-making, support investigations, mitigate risk, and enhance campus safety

Working Conditions

Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment.
• Alternative work schedule as regular part of job (on-call, shifts, evening, weekends).
• On-Call.

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at desk or table.
• Typically standing or walking.
• Occasional lifting ( ​

Equipment

• Office equipment.
• Security and surveillance equipment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.

Certifications /Professional Licenses

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience

Relevant Experience (8 Years)

Skills

Not Applicable

Driver's License

A driver's license and good driving record are required for this position.

More About This Job

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in security management, criminal justice, facilities management, engineering, technology management, business administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, certifications, and direct relevant experience.
• Eight (8) years or more of progressively responsible experience in physical security, access control, security technology, facilities operations, public safety, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing teams in a complex operational environment.
• Experience managing enterprise-level access control, key management, CCTV, or related security technology systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with capital planning, technology lifecycle management, and portfolio oversight.
• Experience reviewing security designs, construction documents, and technical specifications.
• Physical Security Professional (PSP)
• LenelS2, C-CURE, Genetec, Milestone, Avigilon, or similar platform certifications
• Other relevant physical security, access control, or security technology certifications

Preferred Qualifications

Education

Master's degree

Certifications /Professional Licenses