Assistant Vice President and Chief of Public Safety

Responsibilities of the Position

Summary

Saint Louis University (SLU) is seeking a dynamic and innovative individual with a strong administrative, collaborative, and student-focused background to serve as its next assistant vice president and chief of public safety (AVP). Consistent with SLU’s mission, the AVP will provide comprehensive, dedicated leadership to ensure a safe, secure, and inclusive living, learning, and working environment on campus, distinguished by conscientious relationship building and collaboration with students, faculty, and staff.

Reporting to the vice president for student development and serving as an integral member of the Student Life Leadership Team, the AVP provides outstanding leadership and guidance on overall safety and security for an urban campus located in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri. The AVP manages the daily operations of the Department of Public Safety (DPS); serves as the SLU representative with external law enforcement agencies, neighborhood security associations, and the general public on safety and emergency response issues; and represents the department with internal constituencies, including the Board of Trustees, the Office of the President, and other University leadership.  

The AVP develops and implements SLU’s Emergency Operation Plan; oversees the Campus Incident Management Team; ensures compliance with the Clery Act as well as other University, local, state, and federal laws and regulations; provides the necessary training and professional development of department personnel; and represents the department to the University and external community. The AVP manages a team of 110 professional staff, including six direct reports, and administers an operating budget of $11 million.

Specific Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and direct security and emergency-response activities.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure program effectiveness and alignment with the University’s mission, values, and priorities.
• Serve as the DPS representative on University committees.
• Develop collaborative relationships across the campus with students, faculty, and staff.
• Work in conjunction with the DPS Leadership Team to analyze crime trends and incident reports, and develop program utilization strategies for staff to offset and mitigate these trends.
• Direct the maintenance and distribution of SLU crime statistics, including the timely compiling and filing of required reports with regulatory agencies.
• Act as the department’s responsible authority in emergencies and issue crime and emergency alerts as appropriate.
• Lead University-wide emergency response efforts, including training of department and campus personnel.
• Provide solid leadership and supervision to the Department of Public Safety, ensuring the recruitment of a well-qualified, highly talented staff.
• Provide consistent, comprehensive, and continual professional development and training opportunities for departmental staff.
• Devise and participate in risk assessment activities.
• Oversee and direct investigations.
• Manage budgets and administer other resources effectively.
• Propose and implement changes as necessary to enhance service and efficiency across the department.

Qualifications and Characteristics of the Successful Candidate

Required qualifications for the assistant vice president and chief of public safety include:

• A bachelor’s degree or more than ten years of professional experience in a related field; experience in the field of public safety, law enforcement, or community engagement; and at least five years of senior management experience in a law enforcement setting.
• Familiarity with and support of the mission and values of Saint Louis University.
• Demonstrated outstanding interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Experience and skill in conflict resolution and creative problem solving utilizing innovative and contemporary practices.
• Knowledge of emergency management procedures, practices, and regulations.
• Demonstrated success in recruiting, retaining, and leading complex organizations.
• Training and proficiency in trauma-informed care to support individuals and communities.

Preferred experiences and qualifications for the role include:

• A master’s degree, ten years of professional experience, and at least five years of senior management experience.
• Previous experience working in higher education, ideally at an urban institution.
• Demonstrated understanding of college student well-being.
• Experience with program evaluation and assessment.
• Documented experience developing relationships with a varied array of constituencies on a college campus.

In addition to the qualifications stated above, key stakeholders identified the following capabilities and attributes of a successful candidate:

• Knowledgeable about current and emerging best practices in the field of public safety which prioritize prevention, community policing, the safety of students, and raising the overall quality of the student experience (e.g., a focus on mental health concerns, trauma-informed care, and issues involving gender identity, suicide ideation, intervention, sexual assault, etc.).
• Excellent and transparent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to clearly and effectively engage with all internal and external stakeholders with empathy, understanding, and trustworthiness (with specific focus on students as a priority).
• Robust leadership, flexibility, approachability, accountability, humility, emotional intelligence, and organizational development abilities that inspire and unify staff, provide professional and personal growth opportunities, and promote teamwork throughout the Department of Public Safety.
• An understanding of Catholic higher education and a familiarity with the general principles of a Jesuit institution and its commitment to a culture of service.
• Advanced collaboration and relationship-building skills, with the ability to forge close-knit partnerships with students, student organizations, departments, faculty, administration, and external agencies.  
• Politically astute and diplomatic in all situations.
• Energy and enthusiasm for the role, passion for the work, a positive attitude even in the face of adversity, a charismatic and approachable demeanor, and the ability to support work/life balance for self and staff.

Opportunities and Challenges of the Role

In transitioning to Saint Louis University, the assistant vice president and chief of public safety will encounter the following opportunities, priorities, and challenges, as shared by key campus stakeholders:

• The AVP, as a member of the leadership of the Division of Student Development, must possess a demonstrated understanding of, and respect for, the Catholic/Jesuit pedagogical tradition (as well as SLU’s overall Mission Statement), integrate these principles into the daily operation of the Department of Public Safety, and be able to articulate the Jesuit mission effectively, particularly in the arena of service, social justice, and the pursuit of the common good.
• A significant priority for the AVP will be the continual improvement of SLU’s safety and security, ensuring innovation and forward-thinking remain at the forefront. There will be strong support for working together to implement new ideas, cutting-edge technology, and national best practices. While funding is not unlimited and not all new proposals can be undertaken, the new AVP will find that well-researched ideas accompanied by comprehensive data analysis will be considered and given thorough vetting. Seeking out best practices at other institutions, remaining current on any professional benchmarking opportunities, and being involved in IACLEA, IACP, or other professional law enforcement associations will be greatly encouraged.
• There are a number of infrastructure issues to which the AVP should give specific attention, including, but not limited to, the needed replacement of the campus security camera system, the impending impact of Artificial Intelligence on the delivery of campus security, assessing SLU’s use of third-party security services, and an overall review of the DPS policies and procedures. Developing a forward-looking vision and a long-term strategic plan will provide a consistent roadmap for the future.
• Relationships are a substantial driver of individual success at SLU, especially within the Department of Public Safety. The AVP must quickly prioritize getting to know the officers and other departmental staff on an individual basis, building an understanding of their particular success and pain points, and establishing trust and confidence across the board. It will be essential that the AVP also begin to understand the roles and responsibilities individual staff perform, be available and willing to listen, provide comprehensive professional development opportunities and support, and oversee the ongoing promotion of a strong, cohesive team in a positive, enthusiastic work environment. The AVP should focus on increasing officers’ knowledge of and skills in current best practices in higher education public safety by prioritizing training on “hot-button” issues such as trauma-informed care, mental health, active shooter training, and new hazing laws.
• The AVP is expected to be highly visible and serve as the public face of DPS. From day one, this role requires active engagement across all campuses—attending student events, being present where students gather, collaborating with academic and student life partners, and spending quality time within the campus community to build trust and raise awareness of DPS services. Achieving this visibility depends on fostering a strong culture of collaboration, both internally and with external partners. As DPS serves students, faculty, administrators, and members of the surrounding community across SLU’s three domestic campuses, these relationships are essential to understanding stakeholder needs, delivering high-quality, student-centered services, and reinforcing DPS’s customer-focused reputation. Given SLU’s location in the heart of St. Louis, maintaining and strengthening the partnership with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is also a critical priority.
• This is an exciting time to join Saint Louis University and an outstanding opportunity for the next AVP to put their professional mark on DPS while building on a successful foundation and strategically leading the next chapter of a contemporary, 21st-century, community-focused department. There is tremendous support from the administration to develop and manage a dynamic, trustworthy, transparent, and forward-thinking public safety program, and the new AVP can look forward to visioning and strategizing with these leaders and other campus partners to move the DPS to even greater heights over time. Upon arrival, the AVP should expect a swift pace, with many stakeholders vying for their time and attention. Spending significant time listening to the various needs and requests, then prioritizing them based on resources and opportunities, will be essential for success.

Measures of Success

The items listed below will define the assistant vice president and chief of public safety success throughout the first year of employment:

• DPS is committed to the University’s mission, which is the pursuit of truth for the greater glory of God and for the service of humanity. The AVP works daily to live out the Jesuit identity and integrate these principles into DPS’s operations, policies, and culture.
• The AVP is recognized as a dynamic partnership-builder and has fostered strong collaborative relationships among DPS and the community, including academic and administrative departments, faculty, students, upper administration, local partners, and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
• The AVP is recognized by the campus community, particularly students, as the “face” of the DPS; maintains high visibility on campus; and is viewed as fair, trustworthy, transparent, accountable, and open-minded when issues arise.
• The SLU DPS staff work cohesively as a team; the command team feels valued and confident in their roles; morale is high across the department; the AVP is consistently available and willing to listen to staff; and professional development and training opportunities are offered.
• Student satisfaction surveys indicate high levels of trust in DPS and an overall positive perception of the department—the AVP is recognized as a capable, authentic, and trustworthy leader, and students report a high comfort level when engaging with DPS officers and a strong sense of safety on campus.
• DPS presents a balanced budget; departmental finances are in order; and the AVP demonstrates a solid command of the budgeting process and the department’s overall finances.
• Communication from the department is frequent, a culture of transparency is being developed, and the “story” of DPS is being told to all campus constituents.

Divisional Leadership

The Student Body

Total Enrollment: 15,334

Undergraduate: 8,669

Graduate: 6,665

Male: 43%

Female: 56.5%

African American/Black: 9.9%

Asian: 13.6%

Hispanic/Latino: 11.5%

White: 51.5%

Two or More Races: %

Unknown: 3.7%

Non-Resident: 4.5%

SLU Profile/More Student Information

Institutional Leadership

Senior Leadership Teams

Strategic Plan

Jesuit Mission

Deeply rooted in the Jesuit tradition, Saint Louis University is committed to educating the whole person—intellectually, ethically, and spiritually. SLU emphasizes academic excellence, reflective practice, and a strong sense of responsibility to others, preparing student leaders who are thoughtful, compassionate, and engaged with the world around them. Central to SLU’s mission is a dedication to service, social justice, and the pursuit of the common good, values that guide both daily work and long-term impact. Together, these principles shape a community where learning, leadership, and purpose are deeply connected.

Application

Review of applications will begin immediately, and continue until the position is filled. To apply for this position, please click on the blue “Apply for Position” button, complete the brief application process, and upload your resume and position-specific cover letter. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.

Visit the Saint Louis University website at https://www.slu.edu

Saint Louis University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, gender identity, or other non-merit factors. Accommodations for applicants with disabilities are available upon request.

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