Safety Manager

Summary

The Safety Manager supports the Safety, Risk Management (SRM) department in maintaining a safe and secure environment for the VCUarts Qatar community, facilities, assets, and operations.

 The position manages the day-to-day activities of the Qatar Foundation-contracted security team, coordinates security support for special events, and oversees physical security measures across the facility. The Safety Manager is also expected to maintain a working knowledge of university safety, emergency preparedness, and crisis management programs administered by the department.

In the absence of the Director, the Safety Manager may assume responsibility for implementing university emergency management procedures and first-responder protocols during incidents or crisis situations.

To support university operations and programming, this position follows a fixed on-site work schedule beginning at 1:00 PM. The schedule is not eligible for remote work or modification due to the operational nature of the role. Occasional overtime and weekend work may be required to support university events, and local travel within Doha may be necessary based on event locations and operational needs.

Reports to: Director of Safety and Risk Management

Department: Safety and Risk Management

Major Activities & Essential Functions

1. Manages the Qatar Foundation-provided security team in accordance with contractual requirements and agreed liaison responsibilities, including coordinating requests for additional security coverage during university events, as well as supporting guard training, preparedness, and welfare initiatives.
2. Maintains awareness of university facility conditions and security risks by reviewing incident logs, conducting routine physical patrols, and tracking maintenance, life-safety, asset protection, and physical security issues identified by the security team after normal business hours.
3. Oversees the university ID card program, lost and found process, and key/card-reader maintenance requests, with support from the Safety Generalist, ensuring accurate tracking and timely follow-up.
4. Represents VCUarts Qatar at Qatar Foundation meetings related to security, emergency preparedness, and crisis management as requested by the Director, and recommend improvements that enhance community safety and wellbeing.
5. Develops, maintains, and communicates security awareness programs, technical procedures, post orders, and related operational documentation, ensuring records are current, accessible, and maintained for program continuity.
6. Supervises the Safety and Risk Management Liaison Officer and coordinates their support of security operations and special events as required.
7. Participates in the university’s emergency management program and, when necessary, assume designated emergency roles in the Director’s absence, including acting as on-scene commander until Qatar Foundation officials or Qatari authorities arrive, serving as the department representative to the Crisis Management Team, or acting as Chief Fire Warden.
8. Maintains working knowledge of third-party evacuation and travel security support contracts, and communicate effectively and professionally with university leadership, contractors, Qatar Foundation, VCU Richmond, and relevant authorities during routine operations and emergency situations.
9. Supports a professional, respectful, and de-escalatory approach in interactions with all building occupants, while building strong working relationships with Human Resources, Student Affairs, and other campus partners.
10. Performs other job-related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of professional training and experience, required.
• Minimum of five years of progressive experience in safety, security, emergency management, or crisis management.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience managing staff, including experience mentoring and training employees from varied backgrounds and nationalities.
• Proven experience interpreting policies and procedures, analyzing information and data, and making sound recommendations and decisions.

Preferred:

• Experience in an institution of higher education and/or local customs and laws.
• Arabic language skills.

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to communicate clearly and tactfully with faculty, students, staff at all levels, external partners, and members of the public.
• Strong ability to work independently, prioritize competing responsibilities, manage multiple assignments, and adapt to changing operational demands.
• Demonstrated discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality while meeting sensitive and time-critical deadlines.
• Strong risk management, analytical, judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Effective leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain professional, trusting, and collaborative working relationships.
• Demonstrated professionalism, sound judgment, strong customer service orientation, and commitment to upholding the University’s Code of Conduct.
• Ability to respond effectively and appropriately to sensitive inquiries, complaints, and challenging situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCUarts Qatar.

Application Process