Director of Security | Full-Time | PeoplesBank Arena

Oak View Group

Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

Position Summary

The Director of Security is responsible for managing a team of one Full-Time Guest Services & Security Manager and all part-time Security Supervisors and Guards, and Guest Services Supervisors and Event Staff.  Primary responsibility is ensuring a safe, secure, welcoming and comfortable entertainment experience for our guests by planning, monitoring, directing, delegating, controlling, and managing all functions of the guest services & security department. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, personnel management, risk management, loss prevention, fire/life safety, security/safety training, guest services oversight, investigations, work with show touring Security counterparts, budgeting, lost and found, customer service, emergency preparedness, and disaster prevention.

This role pays an annual salary of $85,000 - $100,000 and is bonus eligible.

Benefits for Full-Time roles: Health, Dental and Vision Insurance, 401(k) Savings Plan, 401(k) matching, and Paid Time Off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays).

This position will remain open until December 31, 2025. 

About the Venue

PeoplesBank Arena is Connecticut’s premier destination for sports & entertainment. The 15,000+ seat downtown arena is home to the eleventh-time National Champion UConn Women's Basketball team and the six-time National Champion UConn Men's Basketball team. Led by Hall of Fame basketball Head Coach Geno Auriemma and Dan Hurley, the Men's & Women's basketball programs have established themselves as national powerhouses. PeoplesBank Arena is also home to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, the primary developmental affiliate of the New York Rangers.

PeoplesBank Arena entertains millions of visitors annually with a variety of concerts, family shows, ice-skating spectaculars, consumer events, and trade shows throughout the season. The venue has played host to an extraordinary roster of world-renowned artists, including Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Pearl Jam, Black Eyed Peas, Britney Spears, Drake, and many others. PeoplesBank Arena will continue to be the center of sports and entertainment for Hartford and the State of Connecticut for years to come.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all physical security systems in the venue, including camera systems, access control, radio communications, and security software systems.
• Hire and effectively manage a team of full-time and part-time employees providing 24/7 building security coverage and event needs.
• Develop and maintain security and guest services policies and standard operating procedures.
• Establish positive and collaborative relationships with all internal departments and government entities, including Police, Fire, EMS, ect., and schedule services as necessary.
• Schedule security and guest services vendors (equipment, K-9, patrols, lost and found) as necessary.
• Review and update the facility Emergency Response Plan manual and quick guide, and lead and manage all aspects of emergency preparedness programs and training.
• Manage budget, approve purchases, and negotiate vendor contracts for security programs. Evaluate requests for security support or supplies.
• Manage guest inquiries, respond to guest complaints and security concerns to prevent future issues.
• Serve as primary security contact to event management personnel during assigned events.
• Adopt a customer service philosophy and public relations approach to the performance of all duties and establish and promote this philosophy to guest services and security staff.
• Plan and provide comprehensive training for guest services and security staff.
• Responsible for managing and developing employee performance with the assistance of HR.
• Tracks attendance of staff according to attendance policy.
• Oversee all aspects of employee personnel including but not limited to hiring, disciplining, rewarding, scheduling, payroll and firing staff.
• Be present for PeoplesBank Arena Events and other major events/games at Pratt & Whitney Stadium.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university/school.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience managing security operations with an arena, stadium or similar public assembly facility.
• Previous law enforcement is preferred but not required.
• Experience communicating and working as a liaison with government resources, including police and fire departments, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FBI, and other local/state/federal resources.
• Thorough knowledge of physical security systems, including CCTV, access control systems, walk through metal detectors, radio communication systems.
• CPR/AED/First Aid Certification preferred.
• Ability to function in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment and must possess strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including overnights, weekends, and holidays, as required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Must be self-motivated and have excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently while also fostering a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to lift and move objects and perform physical tasks as required.

Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.