Senior Director, Safety and Security

The Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games will be hosted in Los Angeles, California in 2028, returning to the United States for the first time in over 30 years. 2028 will be the first time LA hosts the Paralympic Games, creating an opportunity to expand awareness, understanding and inclusion of people with disabilities.

LA28, the organizers for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, is on a mission to create an unparalleled Games experience for athletes, fans, partners, our community and our people. Our vision is to collectively create what's next through sport, community and the power of our differences.

The 2028 Olympics and Paralympics will represent LA and leverage the strength of our community's diversity and creativity as we collectively work to design a Games that we all want to be a part of. We do this by focusing on people and by inviting everyone into the story of the LA28 Games.

The LA28 organizing committee is an independent, non-profit organization that is privately funded and governed by a board of directors.

Our Vision is to collectively create what's next by harnessing sport, community and the power of our differences. Our Mission is to create an unparalleled Paralympic and Olympic Games for athletes, fans, partners, our community and our people.

Values and Behaviors:

• Optimism – Embody a positive, enthusiastic, and solution-oriented attitude in everything we do; challenge the status quo, inspire and support one another to achieve our best; have our eyes on the future and believe we can make a meaningful impact
• Integrity – We communicate openly and honestly, listen, and respectfully value multiple perspectives; we do what we say and are accountable for everything we do; we do the right thing, always. Even when it isn't easy
• Excellence – We hold ourselves to the highest standard and expectations; we live our values and truths and persevere through challenges; we are continuous learners and adapt and pivot with speed to meet changing needs
• Inclusion – We seek to represent, include, empower and level the playing field; our work reflects the communities we serve and the world in which we live; we leverage our platforms to bring awareness to issues relevant to who we are
• Co-Creation – We are authors of a shared story. Everyone contributes their unique voice to our shared mission; we share pride in our accomplishments and ownership of our shortcomings
• Boldness – We embrace creativity, courage and outside-the-box thinking; we are unafraid to take risks, explore unconventional solutions, and learn from the process; we are innovators, disruptors, and challengers of the status quo

Principal Deputy, Safety and Security:

The Principal Deputy, reporting to the SVP of Safety and Security, will be integral to ensuring the safety and security of the LA28 Organizing Committee's monumental event. With over 15,000 athletes, 5,000 employees, 100,000+ contractors and volunteers, 75+ venues and millions of spectators expected, this role plays a vital part in orchestrating a seamless security operation.

Responsibilities include assisting with day-to-day security functions, coordinating with local, state, and federal security personnel, and overseeing private security operations for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Principal Deputy will lead critical business decisions within the Security function, collaborating cross-functionally to develop comprehensive security plans and operations. This role also involves preparing regular reports and analyses to aid decision-making and ensure a unified command structure leading up to and during the Games.

Successful candidates must demonstrate exceptional leadership, communication, and collaboration skills, upholding the highest standards for public safety and civil rights. They will partner closely with various departments, including External Affairs, Transportation, and Cybersecurity, to develop and implement security policies and procedures. Adaptability and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment are essential, as is a deep understanding of security challenges and risks associated with large-scale events.

Key Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership

• Contribute to shaping the strategic direction of the Safety and Security function, aligning with LA28's goals for safety, security, risk management, and operational excellence in Games security and Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (OCOG) operations.
• Collaborate on the development of comprehensive plans that ensure a coordinated and calibrated approach, upholding the highest standards for public safety, law enforcement, and community engagement. Emphasize values of inclusivity and the protection of civil and human rights.
• Participate in crafting a clear growth plan for the department from present through Games-time, to meet evolving secuirty needs effectively.
• Aid in the preparation and management oversight of the budget for security planning and Games-time delivery budget, collaborating working alongside with the Government Relations team on the federal funding plan for the Games following theto strategize federal funding post- National Special Security Event (NSSE) designation.
  
  Project Management and External Partner Coordination
  • Serve as the Principal Deputy to the SVP, Safety and Security, supporting in the execution of key strategic initiatives and operations.
  • Collaborate closely with the SVP, Safety and Security, to lead and oversee the Security function. Ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and priorities.
  • Develop Foster and maintain manage relationships with key critical external stakeholders to secure funding and resources for Games security.
  • Take ownership of representing LA28 and cultivating relationships with local, state, and federal stakeholders, facilitating comprehensive coordination and support for Games security planning.
  • Represent LA28 and own relationships/engagement with local, state, and federal stakeholders to support overall Games security planning and coordination​
  • Partner with the public relations team to coordinate external communications concerning safety and security matters, ensuring a consistent and reassuring message is conveyed to stakeholders and the public alike.
  • Work closely with public relations in order to manage external facing communications around safety and security ​
  Organizing Committee Safety and Security Planning
  • Collaborate with LA28 leaders across the organization to develop and implement appropriate OCOG security capabilities and operational plans.
  • Work closely with International Olympic Committee, other Host Cities (where applicable), US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and others in the Olympic and Paralympic movements to incorporate best practices into overall security strategies and decision-making​.
  • Identify and assist in leading the selection process, and own the relationship with LA28 outsourced security providers​.

Background & Qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge and experience with general stadium operations
• Experience with strategic planning, presentation development, budget management, and project management
• Successful track record of creating innovative approaches

Position Requirements: Education:

• Bachelor's degree required or equivalent work experience

Expectations:

• Minimum 10 years of experience managing safety and security for large, complex organizations, with a focus on Olympic Games experience or large scale events

• Illicit and demonstrate credibility with senior officials at law enforcement entities

• Understanding of the ecosystem of security entities that exist in Los Angeles, California and the US and how they work together ​

• Successfully built and/or led a comprehensive security program for a high-profile organization (on budget, on time, exceeding need, etc.)

• Skill working with senior executives, building cross-functional partnerships, and influencing external stakeholders across multiple departments at the local, state, and federal levels

• Experience working in multi-functional event organizations and in dynamic and fast paced environments

• Knowledge and sensitivity of the historical significance of security and policing structures in Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color (BIPOC) communities in Los Angeles

• Demonstrated experience successfully partnering with BIPOC communities to foster positive relations in efforts to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all in and around the Games

• Proven experience working with public and private sector partners in a collaborative environment and ability to build strong partnerships

• Ability to lead by influence in an environment with complex interdependencies

• Pragmatic with a high energy level, entrepreneurial spirit, and the ability to manage through a period of change and growth​

• Ability to be comfortable working with ambiguity given the transitional nature of the organization as it grows and establishes itself over the next 4 years​

• A civic-minded attitude; experience and/or interest in working for a non-profit​

• An excitement for the committee's mission of building the best Olympic and Paralympic Games, while thinking differently all along the way​

• Undergo a federal background check

Submission Requirements:

• Resume

The annual base salary range for this position is $175,000.00 - $200,000.00. The pay scale provided is the range that LA28 reasonably expects to pay as starting base compensation for this role. All LA28 compensation remains subject to final determination based on individual candidate qualifications, experience, or other reasonable criteria consistent with LA28's operational business needs and applicable law.

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance.

LA28 is committed to operating fair and unbiased recruitment procedures allowing all applicants an equal opportunity for employment, free from discrimination on the basis of religion, race, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, color, ethnic or national origin, or any other classification as may be protected by applicable law. We aim to recruit the right people for the jobs we have to offer and to assess applications on the basis of relevant skills, educatioon, and experience.