Assistant Director of Security

Empire State Realty Trust•New York, NY

5d•$150,000 - $165,000

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Security supports the Director of Security in developing, implementing, and managing safety and security programs for the Empire State Building, the Empire State Building Observation Deck, and assigned ESRT properties. This role operates in a 24/7 environment and coordinates with contracted security personnel, Property Management, Engineering, IT, Observation Deck Operations, tenants, vendors, and public-safety partners to maintain consistent procedures, reliable security systems, prompt incident response, effective project execution, and coordinated event coverage. The position may serve as the Director of Security’s operational delegate when assigned, using delegated decision-making and escalation authority in accordance with company policy. The Assistant Director oversees and supports contractor and Security Operations Center performance, emergency response and investigations, access-control processes and security technology, procedures and training, event planning, external relationships, and administrative and budget activities. The role requires the ability to support emergency and crisis-management plans, oversee third-party security services, coordinate incident reviews and investigations, work with security systems and projects, communicate effectively with a broad range of stakeholders, and respond after hours when business, event, project, or emergency conditions require.

Requirements

Ability to support emergency action and crisis-management plans, assess changing conditions, and make sound operational decisions under pressure within delegated authority.
Demonstrated experience overseeing third-party security services and holding providers accountable for staffing, performance, documentation, training, and corrective action.
Ability to assess incidents, lead or coordinate investigations as assigned, preserve confidential information, and write clear reports, procedures, recommendations, and operational communications.
Practical knowledge of Security Operations Center operations, access control, video systems, visitor management, electronic incident reporting, security analytics, and security technology project coordination.
Strong communication and service judgment with tenants, visitors, executives, contractors, employees, vendors, and public-safety partners.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, approvals, and budget inputs.
Ability to work effectively in a 24/7 operating environment and respond after hours when business, event, project, or emergency conditions require.
Progressive experience in corporate, commercial-property, public-venue, law-enforcement, public-sector, or comparable security operations, including responsibility for security services and cross-functional coordination.
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Ability to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in security management, criminal justice, emergency management, business, or a related field; an equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and experience may be considered.
Experience supporting a large, high-profile, 24/7 office, mixed-use, public-venue, or comparable operating environment.
Professional training or experience in law enforcement, emergency preparedness, corporate security, or a related discipline.
Relevant security, emergency-preparedness, fire/life-safety, or public-safety certifications and training, which may be preferred or required based on assigned responsibilities and site requirements.

Responsibilities

Serve as the Director of Security’s operational delegate when assigned or established by management, exercising delegated decision-making and escalation authority in accordance with company policy.
Assist in overseeing the contracted security program, including account management, supervisors, officers, the Security Operations Center, visitor services, and specialty services such as K9 coverage.
Review staffing, post coverage, shift and incident reports, alarms, operational exceptions, and service performance; address or escalate gaps and confirm corrective follow-up.
Conduct property walkthroughs with management teams, respond to tenant and operational security concerns, and translate findings into assigned actions, service requests, project follow-up, or recommendations.
Support supervision of staff and maintenance of the Security Operations Center and electronic camera systems.
Attend meetings with company managers regarding updated duties and responsibilities.
Provide daily training regarding x-ray machines, magnetometers, and equipment functionality.
Ensure personnel wear proper uniforms and conform to ESRT standards.
Respond to security emergencies and support applicable emergency action and crisis-management plans; notify and escalate matters to the Director of Security and senior property management in a timely manner.
Lead or support assigned security incident reviews and investigations within delegated authority, including reviewing surveillance video, preserving authorized evidence, preparing factual reports, and coordinating confidential follow-up with authorized parties.
Ensure incidents are documented in designated reporting systems and required communications; review authorized requests for security records or access data and coordinate resolution of reporting, access, device, or training barriers.
Oversee security aspects of building identification-card processes, visitor access, contractor and freight-entry procedures, related approvals, and verification and communication procedures during system changes or outages.
Oversee Security Operations Center operations and readiness of video, alarm, analytics, incident-reporting, and other electronic security systems; reinforce communication and response between SOC operators and field personnel.
Coordinate with IT, Engineering, property teams, and vendors on video management, access control, visitor management, doors, intercoms, turnstiles, electronic locks, elevator-related access controls, and other security technology initiatives.
Support evaluation, implementation, and operational testing of security technologies; track scope, quotations, dependencies, approvals, installation milestones, commissioning, acceptance, and vendor follow-up, distinguishing proposed work from authorized commitments.
Review and maintain security manuals, post instructions, standard operating procedures, SOC duty descriptions, and escalation protocols; recommend changes and implement approved updates.
Coordinate supervisor and officer training on approved procedures, security systems, screening processes, and site-specific requirements, and maintain evidence of distribution, training, and acknowledgment.
Support security participation in fire and life-safety activities, emergency preparedness, exercises, external assessments, and public-safety training in accordance with site requirements and assigned responsibilities.
Coordinate security planning for tenant events, Observatory activities, VIP and dignitary visits, media or lighting events, and other scheduled operations; confirm staffing, contacts, arrival procedures, access requirements, communications, and escorts as appropriate.
Maintain working relationships with law-enforcement, fire, emergency-management, government security, property, tenant, and vendor partners; share actionable information through approved channels and coordinate follow-up.
Support Property Management during demonstrations, protests, public-space conditions, or other emerging concerns by documenting observations, coordinating proportionate operational responses, and escalating issues as appropriate.
Support periodic review of contracted security services, including service levels, compliance, recurring needs, performance issues, and recommended revisions.
Review and approve contractor timecards, invoices, service records, purchase requests, and other authorized expenses within delegated authority; document discrepancies and escalate items outside assigned approval limits.
Support recurring-cost forecasts, capital planning, vendor-quote review, and project budgeting; maintain contact lists, project records, approved procedures, decision histories, and handoff documentation in company-approved systems.