Sr Specialist, Security Training and Event Operations

This role coordinates security planning and operational support for meetings, executive events, and Board activities, and leads security planning for ACS National Meetings. It also develops and delivers enterprise-wide safety and security training programs, manages the annual preparedness program, and supports business continuity and resilience activities. The position serves as the Safety & Emergency Management coordinator for the Columbus, Ohio campus and assists with budget and vendor management.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate security planning and operational support for meetings, executive events, Board activities, and special programs.
• Conduct event risk assessments and develop emergency and contingency plans.
• Coordinate with Facilities, contract security, law enforcement, and emergency responders.
• Lead after-action reviews and continuous improvement efforts.
• Lead security planning and preparedness activities for ACS Spring and Fall National Meetings and other major events.
• Conduct advance site assessments and coordinate with venue management and emergency services.
• Coordinate travel logistics, staffing requirements, and deployment plans for Safety & Emergency Management personnel.
• Develop event-specific emergency action plans, evacuation procedures, and crisis communications.
• Support executive, Board, and VIP security requirements.
• Lead post-event after-action reviews and lessons learned.
• Develop and deliver enterprise-wide safety and security training programs.
• Maintain annual schedules for drills, exercises, and mandatory preparedness activities.
• Coordinate employee onboarding security orientations.
• Track training participation and compliance metrics.
• Support volunteer floor wardens and emergency coordinators.
• Lead the annual preparedness program across all ACS locations.
• Coordinate awareness campaigns, tabletop exercises, and readiness initiatives.
• Establish preparedness metrics and reporting mechanisms.
• Promote a culture of preparedness through employee engagement.
• Serve as the Safety & Emergency Management coordinator for the Columbus, Ohio campus.
• Conduct periodic site visits and deliver training programs.
• Coordinate local drills and first-responder relationships.
• Support continuity planning, testing, and improvement activities.
• Participate in crisis management activations and resilience exercises.
• Track corrective actions and lessons learned.
• Assist with budgets for training, exercises, and event security operations.
• Coordinate relationships with contract security and training vendors.
• Support procurement activities and vendor evaluations.
• Participate in internal safety and preparedness committees.
• Partner with HR, Facilities, IT, Communications, Legal, and Meeting Services.
• Coordinate with local emergency management and public safety agencies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in emergency management, security management, public safety, criminal justice, business continuity, occupational safety, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 8+ years of relevant experience or master's degree with 5+ years of relevant experience in security operations, emergency preparedness, event security, public safety, business continuity, or a related field.
• Experience supporting large-scale meetings, conferences, executive events, or complex multi-stakeholder events.
• Experience developing or delivering safety, security, emergency preparedness, or crisis response training.
• Knowledge of emergency preparedness, incident response, event risk assessment, and continuity planning.
• Strong project coordination, vendor management, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to deliver training and communicate effectively in urgent situations.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism with staff, executives, members, vendors, and external partners.
• Ability to travel domestically and support evening, weekend, and emergency response needs as required.
• Ability to stand and move throughout facilities and conference venues for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds of training or emergency materials.

Nice to have

• Master’s degree, criminal justice or related field
• FEMA/NIMS/ICS training or related emergency management certification.
• Experience with emergency notification systems, incident management tools, training platforms, or event operations software.

Benefits

• ACS currently provides the following benefits for this position: paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, flexible spending account or health care savings account, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement benefits, short- and long-term disability, and 4-week work from anywhere; each benefit is subject to the terms of the applicable program. Additional benefits may apply based on skills, experience, and location.