JR[contact details available in the full listing]
Williamstown, MA (Main Campus)
Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA) is seeking a technically
skilled leader and highly collaborative team member as the
Security and Visitor Services Manager (SVSM) to lead all
aspects of the museum's welcoming experience and security,
including the hiring, training and scheduling of staff and
overseeing the operation of the technical security systems for a
new, purpose-built museum facility currently under construction at
Williams College.
As the Security and Visitor Services Manager, you will manage a
specialized department who are critical to operations and who
create a safe and welcoming experience for all who visit the
museum. You lead your team in identifying potential security and
safety hazards, and assessing, reporting and responding to
incidents or potential criminal activity at the museum's building
and 6.75 acre grounds. Under the leadership of the Deputy Director
for Operations and Art Services, and working closely with the
Museum Building Manager and the Manager of Museum Experiences and
Events, you are on the front line for all day-to-day building
needs.
The SVSM serves as a key operational partner representing their
department while working with museum leadership, the College's
Campus Safety Services (CSS) unit, and local law enforcement and
emergency services, maintaining good college and public relations
by assisting others as a source of information and direction. In
the months before the new museum opening, you help finalize
operational planning, documentation and implementation of policies
and practices. While the museum is transitioning into the new
building and new operations, you lead staff-wide training in the
safety and security practices in the new building and support the
safety of the art collection during its relocation. Under normal
operations, you oversee the daily operation of both the security
and visitor services teams to ensure a safe and welcoming
environment for all students, visitors, staff, and the collection,
aligned with the museum's mission.
You foster a collaborative and positive work atmosphere for an
integrated team of security officers and visitor service
associates, two units which together provide for both the museum's
security needs and patron-facing hospitality and informational
needs. By providing cross-functional training such as training
security staff in hospitality, and visitor service staff training
in basic emergency preparedness and response, you support
integrated strategies for visitor engagement and facility
safety.
The ideal candidate possesses experience managing people in
security operations which requires complex scheduling capabilities
and possesses knowledge of best practices for public safety and
security in museums or other cultural environments. You handle
conflicts, disturbances, or confrontations calmly and
diplomatically and lead others to handle conflicts calmly through
training and by example. The ideal candidate is also committed to
supporting a mission-based cultural environment and supports their
team in learning opportunities around WCMA's history, exhibitions
and programs which serves people from diverse backgrounds and
cultural customs.
Williams is deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and
accessibility. The successful candidate will work effectively and
respectfully with faculty, staff, students, and vendors from a
variety of diverse backgrounds in a collaborative setting. This job
description is intended to describe the basic responsibilities of
the role and the work being performed. Given the evolving nature of
operations planning for a new building and expanded museum program,
it is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Other
responsibilities may be assigned as needed.
Summary of Responsibilities:
Primary Responsibility for WCMA Security and Emergency
Response
- The SVSM is on call for emergencies and incidents 24/7, serves
in an on-call rotation with WCMA's Museum Building Manager, and
serves as a primary liaison to the College's Campus Safety
Services.
Responsible for Daily and Weekly Staffing, Planning and
Reporting
- As a primary caretaker of the museum building, you are
responsible for ensuring adequate security and visitor services
staffing of all building hours, 7 days per week, with a team of 20+
comprised of full time, part time, and temporary call-in staff
members.
Protocol Development and Training Leadership
- Prior to the new museum building coming online, you have the
opportunity to learn the new building's security systems,
participate in its testing, and develop the training manual for
staff
Management Collaboration
- You represent Security and Visitor Services department among
WCMA and College departments and units, creating a mutual
understanding of the level of security, capabilities, and
challenges of security at the museum
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree and at least 5 years of professional
experience in security operations and/or management, or hospitality
industry management; equivalent education/experience
considered.
- Strong leadership, communication, and crisis management skills
informed by deep knowledge of public safety and security protocols,
along with a collaborative working style
- Strong problem-solving skills: assessing and responding to
crises, including natural disasters, fires, medical emergencies, or
security threats, and implementing emergency procedures and
protocols to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of museum
occupants.
- Familiarity with security technology and equipment, including
surveillance cameras, access control systems, alarm systems, and
radio communication devices, to operate and troubleshoot security
equipment effectively and efficiently
- Knowledge of access control measures and procedures to control
and monitor entry and enforcing access policies
- Certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR) to provide immediate medical assistance and emergency
response in case of injuries or medical emergencies
- Positive communication style and effective verbal and written
communication skills for conveying information, priorities, and
concerns, and while guiding and motivating a team
- Ability to handle conflicts, disturbances, or confrontations
calmly and diplomatically to resolve disputes or disagreements.
Sensitivity to cultural diversity and respect for people from
diverse backgrounds, including awareness of cultural customs,
languages, and communication styles.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and
holidays
This position requires fully in-person work. Remote work
arrangements will not be available at this time.
Application review will begin on
November 5, 2026. Pay range
is from $80,000 to $90,000, commensurate with experience.
Cover Letters
A cover letter is
required in order for your application to
be considered. In your letter, please address your interest in this
position and the strengths you would bring to Williams College
Museum of Art in this role. Applicants should highlight relevant
experience with event management in coordination with many
stakeholder groups, and are encouraged to include information in
regard to meeting the preferred qualifications outlined above.
Please attach your cover letter as a separate document in your
application.
About the Williams Community
Williams invests in our employees, offering generous health care,
tuition reimbursement, professional development opportunities, paid
leave, access to gym facilities, discounts with local vendors,
retirement plans and more. Our vibrant 450-acre campus is home to
around 2,000 students who benefit from a 6:1 student-faculty ratio,
and their energy is the heartbeat of an active population. Many
people come to Williams for the job and stay for decades because of
the lively environment and warm neighbors. You're more than a
person doing a job; you are joining our community.
Please visit careers.williams.edu to apply.
ALL employees must have completed an I-9 BEFORE they can begin
work.
Employment at Williams is contingent on the verification of
background information submitted by the applicant, including the
completion of a criminal record check, and education when
applicable. Decisions regarding appointments, promotions, and
conditions of employment comply with applicable federal or state
law prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, sex, national
origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, sexual
orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, or military
service.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie
detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment.
An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal
penalties and civil liability.
Beyond meeting fully its legal obligations for non-discrimination,
Williams College is committed to building a diverse and inclusive
community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn and
thrive. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons
with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If
reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job
application or interview process please feel free to contact us via
phone at (413) 597-2681 or email at hr@williams.edu.
To apply, visit https://wd5.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/williamscollege/External_Career_Site/job/Williamstown-MA-Main-Campus/Security-and-Visitor-Services-Manager_JR10000001524.
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