Description

Our Mission

Segerstrom Center for the Arts believes in the power of performing arts to transform lives and that the shared experience and exploration of the arts will help unite Orange County, creating a more culturally connected and vital community. We will help shape the Orange County of the future through meaningful collaborations with diverse communities, embracing creativity in all its forms and enabling a more inclusive, vibrant performing arts scene at the Center and across the region. We will maintain the excellence of our core artistic and educational programs while demonstrating the entrepreneurial resolve to extend resources, know-how and creativity into the communities we engage with. The Center will be transformed into a cultural hub and dynamic town square deeply ingrained in the fabric of our community. Artistically ambitious yet accessible to all, the Center will shine as the very model of the successful performing arts center of the future. We will show that together we thrive when we make the arts matter.

Department

As part of Theater Operations (ThOps) which includes multiple areas: Event Operations, Security and Public Safety, Engineering and Facilities, Housekeeping, Landscaping, Food and Beverage Operations, and Theater Operations Administration areas. ThOps also has a close relationship with both Production and Programming.  The ThOps team works in high collaboration supporting events, performances, and meetings across the arts campus in venues ranging from Segerstrom Hall, the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Samueli Theater, the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza, the Judy Morr Theater, the Education Lab and the Studio Performance Space. If it happens at the Center, Theater Operations and Security are playing critical roles in achieving a successful outcome. 

Security serves as the backbone of campus security and safety, ensuring a secure environment for all individuals within the Center. From patrons to performers, guests, and staff, Security is dedicated to maintaining a safe and welcoming atmosphere, alongside efficient emergency response protocols.

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting directly to the Vice President of Theater Operations and Facilities, the Director of Security & Public Safety oversees all aspects of the Security Department’s administration and performance. This role involves leading the department, managing personnel, developing, and enforcing security and safety/emergency response plans and protocols, liaising with external agencies, stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with workplace safety regulations. Oversight of dept. staff includes two (2) FT exempt Managers, one (1) FT Asst. Manager, three (3) FT Supervisors, seven (7) PT Supervisors, two (2) FT Officers, and approx. eighty-five (85) PT Event officers, ten (10) Center Patrol officers, & fourteen (14) Stage Door Desk officers, totaling approx. 120 staff including both exempt and non-exempt positions. Annual department budget responsibility includes the development and management of a Labor budget of $1.2M and an Operating Expense budget of $100K reporting quarterly justifications, year-end forecasts, and variances to Finance and the area V.P. The Director acts as a key member of the Center’s Crisis Communication and Management team and is responsible for the Center’s Emergency Preparedness planning, training, annual drills, and readiness response levels. Provides leadership and planning for the Center’s Safety Committee. Regularly acts in the Center’s Security Manager On-duty being responsible for the full campus-wide security operations. And DOD (Director On-Duty) programs.

JOB DUTIES*:

• Hands-on Management of all operations and personnel of the security and public safety department consisting of two Managers, an Assistant Manager, a team of Shift Supervisors and both full and part-time Security Officers in a 24-hour, 7-day rotation of over 120 staff members.
• Responsible for the development of and adherence to all security & safety policies, programs and procedures designed to prepare Center staff, safeguard the campus, and limit liability exposure.
• Responsible for all policies and procedures of the security department as they pertain to supporting performances, staff, special events and restaurant operations.
• Responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, and supervising all security staff. Accountable for staff development and training materials and programs, to ensure high morale and consistent performance in adherence to department policy and protocols in alignment with the human resources policies and guest service expectations of the Center.
• Serves as primary contact for all event organizers, tour managers and company staff in all matters related to show security, traffic, parking and safety. Develops and plans the security and safety needs for each show and produces cost estimates when needed. Liaise with private security for performers, dignitaries, and VIP attendees of the Center.
• Responsible for leading the Center's emergency preparedness system by updating procedures as necessary, establishing and maintaining contacts with local and county emergency preparedness personnel, and acting as the primary onsite lead in the event of an emergency during performances and special events.
• Assists in the development and oversight of the department's budget and capital projects in coordination with the Security Managers and the Directors of Theater Operations and Engineering.
• Establish proper staffing levels, monitor staffing costs, and demonstrate effective management and control of limited resources.
• Responsible for maintaining security software and equipment relating to communications systems/two-way radios, facility access control systems, CCTV system and emergency paging system.
• Oversight and administration of electronic and hard key access systems and distribution.
• Establish and maintain contacts with local law enforcement CMPD, City of Costa Mesa, CMFD, and area security professionals including OCIAC.
• Represent the Center as the primary liaison with key neighboring organizations and service providers/vendors including South Coast Plaza, South Coast Plaza Office Division, OCMA, SCR, South Coast Metro Business Alliance, as well as maintain venue security industry connections and participation with PASS - IAVM's Perf. Arts. Security & Safety subcommittee and SCAS - So. Cal. Assoc. Security professional group.
• Oversee all incident investigations and provide direct involvement in all top priority incidents related to safety and security.
• Maintain and continue to develop the Center's Emergency Preparedness System through annual reviews, new technology to enhance emergency planning and public safety. Execute annual emergency preparedness, evacuation drills, and safety training for Center staff working with and steering the efforts of the Center's Safety Committee.
• Advise executive management on all security and safety issues. Create threat assessments for select special events and coordinate third-party special event security as needed.  

*-  Other duties may be assigned by the supervisor in support of departmental goals

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant area of study preferred. Or equivalent professional venue and/or security operations/public safety experience.
• Minimum of 6 years management experience in security and public safety with strong preference towards security operations in a public venue or entertainment facility. Director level experience desired.

COMPETENCIES: 

• Possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to proactively identify and assess situations or potential issues for the Center.
• Extensive knowledge of the issues, principles, tactics and procedures related to security and safety of a public venue.
• Friendly, approachable demeanor and guest-centric temperament with the ability to work with and successfully resolve problems or issues.
• Dependable and reliable, able to work a flexible schedule which includes evenings and weekends is a fundamental element of this and the Security management team positions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS *: 

• While performing the duties of this job, regularly required to walk and/or stand for periods up to two or more hours. 
• May be assigned to work inside a dark or semi-dark environment and walk up and down stairs and slanted walkways. 
• Must maintain sufficient stamina and possess keen eyesight (close and distance) either naturally or with corrected vision and can adjust eye focus in differing lighting situations. 
• Must also have clear speaking ability and must have sufficient hearing to be able to communicate effectively. 
• Must be able to operate a vehicle and must maintain a valid driver's license. 
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty (20) pounds.

*  - Consistent with its obligations under the law, Segerstrom Center for the Arts will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform essential functions of their job

WORK CONDITIONS: 

• Combination of office and event venue settings.
• Exposure to various indoor and outdoor conditions.
• Flexibility in work hours, including evenings, weekends, and on-call availability for emergencies.

COMPENSATION: 

• Salary Range: $108,000-$148,000; Full Time, Exempt.
• 403B with match after probationary period.
• Core Benefits + Supplemental benefits.
• Time Off (Vacation, Sick, Personal, Company Holidays, Early Release).
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualified employer.
• Comp and discounted show tickets.

 

EEO-1 Statement: Segerstrom is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, association with a member of a protected class, bereavement leave, color, disability (physical, intellectual/developmental, or mental health/psychiatric.), exercising the right to family care and medical leave related to serious health condition of employee or family member, child bonding, or military exigencies, engaging in protected activity, gender identity or expression, genetic information or characteristic, marital status, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristic), military and veteran status, national origin (includes language restrictions), pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions, Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL), race (includes hairstyle and hair texture, religious creed (includes dress and grooming practices), reproductive health decision making, sex/gender, and sexual orientation.

Job ID

58906

Job Title

Director, Security and Public Safety

Start Date

07/07/2025

Salary Range

$108000.00 - $148000.00

Job Location

Costa Mesa CA United States

Contact Information

Name & Title

Leavenworth, David

Phone Number

(714) 556-2122

Email

dleavenworth@scfta.org 

Best Method of Contact

EMAIL