Security Manager

Posting date: February 24, 2026

002134SR

1. Job Type: Full-time
2. Location: Cambridge
3. School/Unit: Harvard University Central Administration
4. Department: Harvard Art Museums
5. Salary Grade: 055
6. Job Function: General Administration
7. FLSA Status: Non-exempt
8. Term Appointment: No
9. Union: 97 - Non-Union,Statutory Supervisor

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

Job Description

Reporting to the Director of Safety and Security, the Security Manager assists the Director in supervising and coordinating the security staff and daily operations. The Security Manager performs security management duties with minimal supervision to provide security for the staff, visitors, collections, and physical assets of the Harvard Art Museums. The Security Manager serves as the front-line supervisor of the security staff during a shift. Work is frequently performed with a high degree of skill, judgment, and latitude.

Core Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinates day-to-day security operations at the Harvard Art Museums, including staffing levels, post coverage, emergency response, special events, and group visits.
• Provides day-to-day supervision of security staff by assuming responsibility for such tasks including assigning work schedules, distributing and reviewing work, providing orientation and ongoing training for employees, and addressing performance issues, escalating issues to the Director as appropriate.  May conduct annual performance appraisals for selected staff. Sets a tone of professionalism and customer service orientation among the staff.
• Responds to emergencies such as medical, fire and life safety alarm activations, water detection activations, elevator entrapments, etc.
• Documents incidents according to emergency reporting protocol and makes notifications to other internal departments and Harvard University as necessary.
• Assists with new hire interviews and training.
• Continues to develop skill sets to be able to plan for and respond to a wide variety of emergency and routine challenges and situations
• Deploys resources in an efficient manner that optimizes our staff resources.
• Plans and prioritizes the daily workflow and may perform clerical and/or technical processing duties of a complex nature, such as payroll and timekeeping.
• Participates in the implementation of policies and in the development of procedures and workflow governing the work of the Security Department. May recommend policy changes to the Director.
• Assists in designing, developing and implementing new methods to improve the security of Harvard Art Museums and improve the visitor experience.
• Uses Microsoft Office programs to compose related correspondence, memoranda or other relevant department communication, including the creation and maintenance of statistical databases for information management and other tasks.
• May review video surveillance as required by events, provide video reports to accompany investigations, input access control system directives, and maintain art protection system databases.
• May assist in managing and coordinating activities related to special events, monitoring budget expenses, preparing reports and recommending operational changes.
• May assist with project planning and implementation involving other work units.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• May fill in as a security dispatcher during non-business hours as needed.
• Assist with the management of the security training program, including CPR training and all record-keeping.
• Assist with the payroll as needed.
• Provides direct supervision during all events and serves as the main contact person during events.
• Responsible for all security monthly tests, including, fire extinguishers, duress alarm, door alarms, elevators, and emergency intercom.
• Coordinate with Campus Police during the duress alarm test.
• Responsible for supervising and documenting all security tours.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to lift and use a fire extinguisher weighing 10 lbs, after being trained. Must be able to see clearly in various lighting conditions. Must be able to communicate clearly via speech and hearing, with or without corrective devices. This position requires the use of a radio for two-way communication and might require use of an earpiece. May include local travel to other Harvard sites.

Qualifications

Candidates MUST meet the following basic qualifications in order to be considered for this role:

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible security or related experience, which includes supervisory experience.
• Ability to patrol a multi-story museum building.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

College education preferred. Experience working in cultural institutions strongly preferred (art museums preferred). Demonstrated advanced working knowledge of specialized security systems, record management, and security protocols. Experience in overseeing complex security and fire/life safety systems.  Multi-shift experience.  Strong analytical skills. Good written and oral communication skills in English. Must be self-motivated, and perform efficiently with minimal or no direct supervision; possess initiative, decisiveness and sound judgment to make time-sensitive decisions. Demonstrated computer skills and experience with email and internet use.  Demonstrated proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, and database software packages. (Microsoft Office preferred.)  Training in CPR and First Aid highly desirable (or ability to be trained). Maintains a professional appearance.

Additional Information

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening:Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screenings:Identity, Criminal

Other Information:

• Schedule:
  • Sunday 7am-3pm
  • Wed 3-11 pm
  • Thursday 3-11pm
  • Friday 3-11pm
  • Sat 3-11pm

The duties listed above are representative and characteristic of the duties required. They are intended to suggest a general level of skill and complexity.  Other duties consistent with the mission of the security department may be assigned as necessary.  This position is non-union and overtime eligible. Work schedule is determined by the needs of the museums and will include evening or weekend shifts and some holidays.

This position has a 3-month orientation and review period.

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Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 055. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.