Interim Executive Director, Safety & Security
Reports to: Chief Human Resources Officer

Location: GTA North

Duration: 4-6 Months

Our client, a large, multi-site academic institution, is seeking an experienced Interim Executive Director, Safety & Security to provide leadership during a period of transformation and organizational renewal.

This executive interim assignment presents a unique opportunity to both fly the plane and help remodel it while in flight .

The successful leader will provide day-to-day operational leadership for a diverse safety and security function while simultaneously conducting a comprehensive review of the department's people, structure, processes, systems, and strategy. The goal is to ensure the institution is well-positioned to meet the evolving safety, security, and risk management requirements of a modern academic environment.

This is an ideal role for a seasoned safety and security executive who thrives in complex environments, enjoys challenging the status quo, and has a proven track record leading modernization initiatives that enhance organizational effectiveness, stakeholder confidence, and community safety.

The Mandate
Operational Leadership ("Flying the Plane")
The Interim Executive Director will immediately assume accountability for the effective operation of security and safety services across a geographically dispersed campus environment.

Key priorities include:

Providing steady, visible leadership to an established safety and security team

Ensuring continuity of services during a period of organizational transition

Overseeing the delivery of integrated security operations across multiple locations

Supporting emergency management, incident response, investigations, threat assessment, and crisis preparedness activities

Building strong relationships with academic leaders, faculty, staff, students, unions, and external partners

Maintaining a safe, secure, and welcoming setting for students, employees, visitors, and community stakeholders

Providing executive-level guidance on emerging risks and critical incidents

Working collaboratively with facilities, human resources, student services, legal counsel, and executive leadership

Strategic Review & Modernization ("Remodeling the Plane")
In parallel with operational leadership, the Executive Director will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the institution's safety and security function.

This review will focus on:

Organizational Structure

Assessing current leadership and team structures





Evaluating spans of control, governance, accountability, and role clarity

Identifying capability and capacity gaps

Reviewing succession and talent risks

People & Culture

Evaluating team effectiveness and performance

Assessing leadership capabilities across the function

Identifying opportunities to strengthen engagement, accountability, and service culture

Providing objective observations regarding organizational readiness and future-state requirements

Processes & Operations

Reviewing operational workflows and service delivery models

Assessing incident management and escalation protocols

Evaluating investigation practices and case management approaches

Identifying opportunities for standardization, optimization, and efficiency

Reviewing security technologies, monitoring capabilities, and reporting tools

Assessing integration opportunities across safety, risk, and emergency management functions

Identifying modernization opportunities that improve effectiveness while creating operational efficiencies

Benchmarking current practices against leading public-sector and educational institutions

Assessing alignment between organizational risks and security priorities

Developing strategic recommendations that support the institution's long-term objectives

Creating a practical roadmap for modernization and transformation

The successful interim leader will be expected to:

Stabilize and effectively lead the safety and security function

Build credibility and confidence across key stakeholder groups

Complete a comprehensive organizational assessment

Identify quick wins and priority improvement opportunities

Deliver data-driven recommendations regarding people, structure, governance, technology, and service delivery

Provide executive-level insights and recommendations to the CHRO and senior leadership team

Develop a future-state operating model and modernization roadmap

Support transition planning and implementation priorities for the next phase of the function's evolution

Ideal Candidate Profile




We are seeking a highly respected safety and security executive who combines operational credibility with transformational leadership capability.

The successful candidate will bring:

Leadership Experience

Progressive senior leadership experience within security, public safety, emergency management, protective services, risk management, or related disciplines

Experience leading large, complex, multi-site operations

Experience working within highly visible public-facing organizations

The Person
Beyond technical expertise, we are looking for a leader who:

Is energized by periods of transition and change

Thrives in complex, matrixed environments

Possesses strong political acuity and stakeholder management skills

Is comfortable leading through ambiguity

Has the courage to ask difficult questions and challenge legacy thinking

Brings a highly collaborative and relationship-focused leadership style

Can quickly establish trust while driving accountability

Is a positive disruptor who respectfully challenges the status quo

Combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution

Has a track record of helping organizations become safer, stronger, and more resilient

Why This Assignment?
This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact at a highly respected academic institution during an important period of evolution.

The successful interim leader will not simply maintain operations. They will help shape the future of safety and security by providing the insight, objectivity, and leadership necessary to ensure the organization is positioned to meet the changing expectations of its students, employees, visitors, and broader community.

This assignment is ideally suited for an accomplished executive who enjoys creating lasting organizational value, building capability, and leaving teams stronger than they found them.

Lee Hecht Harrison Knightsbridge Corp. is committed to providing equitable treatment and accommodation to ensure a barrier-free recruitment process. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and our AODA policy, a request for accommodation will be accepted as part of the hiring process. If you require accommodation to apply or if selected to participate in an assessment process, please provide your accommodation needs in advance to the Recruitment Lead for this opportunity.

We thank all interested candidates in advance; however, only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.

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📌 Interim Executive Director, Safety & Security (Ontario)
🏢 LHH Knightsbridge
📍 Ontario