Job Summary:

The Associate Vice President (AVP) of Campus Safety provides strategic leadership and oversight of Rice University’s campus safety operations, fostering a proactive and inclusive safety culture that aligns with the university’s strategic vision. This role is responsible for leading Rice University’s Police Department, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and Emergency Management, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for students, faculty, staff, visitors, and neighbors.

The AVP champions a data-informed, service-oriented approach that integrates safety and security best practices with campus well-being initiatives. This position also serves as Rice’s primary liaison with local, state, and federal agencies on matters related to public safety, compliance, and emergency response.

Job Responsibilities: 

Strategic Leadership & Campus Safety Operations (50%)

Lead the development, implementation, and continual refinement of an integrated campus safety strategy aligned with Rice’s strategic plan and values. Provide leadership and oversight of Rice University’s Police Department, Emergency Medical Services, and Emergency Management teams, ensuring effective policies, procedures, and response protocols. Foster strong relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community stakeholders to promote a collaborative and service-driven approach to safety and security. Serve as the university’s primary liaison with law enforcement, emergency responders, and regulatory agencies, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, including the Clery Act and Title IX regulations. Proactively assess and mitigate campus safety risks in collaboration with Compliance and Risk Management. Provide executive-level guidance and strategic recommendations on security, emergency preparedness, and crisis management to university leadership and the Board of Trustees. Ensure seamless coordination with other OF&S leadership to align safety initiatives with broader campus operational priorities. Collaborate with City and Local nonprofits to address community-wide concerns. 

Data-Informed Decision-Making & Risk Management (25%)

Develop and implement a robust data analytics framework to monitor campus safety trends and inform decision-making. Establish executive-level dashboards and reports to provide university leadership with actionable insights into campus security, emergency response effectiveness, and compliance metrics. Integrate technology and innovative practices to enhance campus safety, including surveillance systems, access control measures, and emergency alert systems.

Culture & Community Engagement (25%)

Cultivate a culture of trust, accountability, and transparency within the Campus Safety organization and across the broader Rice community. Develop training programs and engagement initiatives to educate students, faculty, and staff on campus safety, emergency preparedness, and bystander intervention strategies. Lead efforts to create a more community-centered, customer-focused approach within campus safety operations, ensuring a balance between security and a positive campus experience. Serve as a visible and accessible leader, participating in campus events, student engagement initiatives, and public forums related to safety and security.

Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours: 

This role is classified as an essential position, requiring on-site presence to effectively carry out its vital functions. This position requires 24/7 availability for emergency response and crisis management.

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public safety, emergency management, law enforcement, or a related field preferred. Ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in public safety, campus safety, law enforcement, emergency management, or a related field. Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a comprehensive safety program within a complex organizational setting. Strong knowledge of federal and state compliance regulations, including the Clery Act, Title IX, and emergency response protocols.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in higher education administration, particularly in campus safety or emergency management. Proven ability to work collaboratively with key stakeholders e.g., organizational leaders, students, faculty, and community partners. Experience managing large teams, budgets, and emergency response operations.

Key Competencies & Leadership Attributes

Visionary & Transformational Leadership – Experience leading through change, fostering innovation, and ensuring a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability. Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement – Strong ability to build relationships across campus, facilitate dialogue, and foster a sense of shared responsibility for campus safety. Data-Driven Decision-Making – Proficiency in using data analytics and technology to drive decision-making, assess safety risks, and enhance emergency preparedness. Strategic & Systems Thinking – Ability to anticipate future trends, assess risks, and develop clear and strategic direction that aligns with Rice’s vision and strategic plan. Community Engagement – Demonstrated ability to foster trust, build relationships, and develop programs that enhance campus and community collaboration. Operational Excellence – Demonstrated success in optimizing resources, improving efficiency, and ensuring high-quality campus safety services with measurable outcomes. Crisis Leadership – Ability to lead calmly, make quick and informed decisions, and effectively respond in high-pressure situations, ensuring coordinated emergency response efforts. Effective Communication – Exceptional ability to communicate complex security issues clearly and persuasively across all levels of the university, including executive leadership and the Board of Trustees. Ethical Integrity & Professionalism – A reputation for integrity, sound judgment, and a commitment to upholding the highest ethical and professional standards.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.