Director, Safety and Security

Who are we:
A professional basketball team and state-of-the-art arena/entertainment venue that specializes in creating memorable experiences for each guest we interact with. Some of our favorite things are live sports, concerts, comedy shows, family shows, and most any other world-class event you can think of, and we’re looking for someone who shares the same interests. We live for the fast-paced world of sports & live entertainment, and as such, we work hard, run fast, execute flawlessly, and party it up when it all comes together. Lastly, we strive to deliver wonderful experiences that create lasting memories, and we prefer to surround ourselves with those who are the best at what they do.

Who are you:
An enthusiastic lover of sports, live entertainment, and people. You have true passion for engaging in meaningful interactions and creating memorable experiences for all guests. You strive to be helpful, engaging, and knowledgeable of all things Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena. You enjoy being a part of an exciting and dynamic group, and you’re committed to continuously enhancing the productivity and effectiveness of your team. Lastly, you enjoy working hard and celebrating hard, and you’d be shocked if guests weren’t positively impacted by their interactions with you.

The Director, Event Safety & Security leads the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of all security operations at State Farm Arena, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for guests, employees, tenants, vendors, and contractors across all events. This role oversees a team of security personnel and supervisors, drives cross-departmental collaboration, and serves as the primary liaison with law enforcement and government agencies. Success is measured by the seamless delivery of secure, guest-centric events that reflect the highest standards of safety and professionalism.

Key Responsibilities:

Primary Responsibilities 55%

• Direct all security planning and operational execution for events at State Farm Arena, including developing deployment sheets, conducting pre-event briefings, and coordinating with internal departments to ensure comprehensive coverage.
• Lead, coach, and evaluate security supervisors and personnel, fostering a high-performance team culture aligned with organizational policies, applicable laws, and industry best practices.
• Recruit, interview, select, and onboard security staff, ensuring the team is appropriately sized, trained, and equipped to meet the strategic and operational demands of each event.
• Serve as the on-duty Security Manager for assigned events, providing real-time decision-making authority and ensuring swift, effective responses to incidents as they arise.
• Develop, implement, and regularly update security policies, programs, and procedures to protect the arena environment and maintain compliance with all relevant regulations.

Secondary Responsibilities 25%

• Proactively enforce State Farm Arena policies and procedures, ensuring timely follow-up on violations, guest complaints, and employee concerns in accordance with established protocols.
• Conduct thorough investigations of accidents, criminal acts, and security incidents involving personnel or property, documenting findings and recommending corrective actions.
• Collaborate with third-party agencies, promoters, and event organizers to assess security needs, build security advances, and align on event-specific protocols.
• Support the scheduling and payroll administration of event security personnel in coordination with department leadership.

Additional Responsibilities 20%

• Design and deliver security training programs, employee safety presentations, tabletop exercises, and practical drills to ensure operational readiness for all staff.
• Maintain current knowledge of emergency policies, procedures, and regulations, and serve as a key contributor to the arena's emergency preparedness planning.
• Provide expert guidance and technical recommendations to department heads and senior leadership on security plans, risk assessments, and emergency response strategies.
• Coordinate security protocols for high-profile government officials and dignitaries, working directly with federal agencies (including FBI and Secret Service) and maintaining strong relationships with the Atlanta Police Department and other Metro law enforcement partners.
• Represent the Security department in committee activities, cross-functional meetings, and industry forums, and provide direct support to the Vice President of Safety & Security as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Security Management, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Minimum 4 years of progressive experience in event security or a related field, including direct management of full-time and part-time staff; sports and entertainment industry experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of crowd management principles, human behavior, and effective crowd control techniques.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to brief diverse audiences, from frontline staff to senior leadership.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced, event-driven environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), CCTV systems, and access control platforms.
• Working knowledge of ABI scheduling software or comparable workforce management systems.
• Must successfully pass a criminal background check, motor vehicle check, and previous employment verification prior to hire.
• Must maintain a flexible schedule with availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by the event calendar.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional certification in security management (e.g., CPP, PSP) or emergency management (e.g., FEMA ICS/NIMS certifications).
• Experience developing and executing large-scale security programs for venues with a 15,000+ capacity.
• Established relationships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
• Familiarity with DHS/SAFETY Act venue certification processes or similar federal security compliance frameworks.
• Prior experience managing security operations for high-profile or nationally televised sporting events.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.

If this opportunity looks exciting to you, please complete the application process. Go Hawks!