About McMaster University
McMaster University is one of Canada’s top research-intensive institutions, recognized globally for excellence in teaching, research, and innovation. With a strong commitment to academic freedom, inclusive excellence, and community well-being, McMaster provides a dynamic environment where students, faculty, and staff can thrive.
The Opportunity
The Senior Manager, Safety Risk Assessment is responsible for the strategic development and operational leadership of McMaster University’s threat assessment, violence prevention, and protective planning programs. Reporting to the Director, Campus Safety Services, this position leads the design and implementation of proactive strategies to identify, assess, and manage risks related to violence, disruption, or significant threats that could impact the safety, security, or well-being of the university community.
Working within McMaster’s values of inclusivity, freedom of expression, and evidence-informed decision-making, the Senior Manager operates in close collaboration with campus partners and external agencies to ensure a responsive and community-centered approach to risk. The role also includes enhanced security planning and risk mitigation support for McMaster’s students, faculty and staff, including the University’s most senior leaders and governance groups during high-profile or sensitive events or periods of elevated risk. The position includes oversight of a Detective Sergeant who manages criminal investigations along with an Emergency Management Coordinator.
Emergency Management & Institutional Resilience
- Provide strategic advice for emergency management planning, preparedness, training and exercises.
- Coordinate institutional emergency preparedness initiatives and support the development of business continuity strategies.
- Lead or support emergency response coordination during significant incidents.
- Build relationships with municipal emergency services and external response agencies.
- Support institutional resilience planning and continuous improvement activities.
- Lead a team consisting of a Detective Sergeant and an Emergency Management Coordinator
Coordinate Risk Assessment, Mitigation, and Program Development
- Lead a structured risk assessment and management program within Campus Safety Services, partnering with multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring alignment with institutional protocols and other internal teams, and fostering cross-campus collaboration.
- Develop tailored safety and security plans for McMaster community members including students, faculty and staff, ensuring appropriate and proactive planning and mitigation measures are in place to effectively manage a variety of security risks, including high-profile events, or during times of increased risk and participating in post-event debriefs and evaluations.
- Provide strategic advice on institutional policies, procedures, and resources related to the prevention and management of threats and high-risk behaviours.
- Prepare and advise on security planning as needed including assisting victims of violence, Prepare and present risk briefings, threat summaries, and mitigation recommendations to the Director of Campus Safety Services and university leaders, including on sensitive or confidential matters.
- Working with Human Resources and other internal partners, triage of intake complaint.
- Determining criminality
- Conduct Risk Assessment
- Notify affected person(s) and management staff of identified risks
- Design customized plans to mitigate risk including written safety plans
- Work with internal partners on implementation of safety plans and strategies
- Ensure tracking and monitoring of threat and violence risk reports, trends, and prepares annual reports on behalf of the University (and in cooperation with other offices), informs opportunities and areas for proactive intervention and prevention measures.
- Apply analytical skills and strategic foresight to assess emerging risks, develop proactive safety plans, and advise leadership with clarity and discretion, demonstrating political acuity in navigating sensitive issues across diverse stakeholder groups.
- Seeks opportunities for proactive intervention and prevention measures.
- Work closely with a team of campus safety professionals in threat-related work, to enable strong planning and coordination for threat related work.
- Provide guidance and direction to Campus Safety Services team members, adapting supervisory approach based on the nature, sensitivity, and urgency of emerging safety concerns or incidents.
- Oversee and coordinate the work of staff involved in threat assessment, violence prevention, and safety planning, ensuring alignment with institutional protocols, inclusive values, and trauma-informed practices.
- Other duties as assigned.
Risk Management and Operational Coordination
- Maintain a standardized evaluation and monitoring methodology for threat assessment using structured professional judgment approaches and recognized tools in the field.
- Monitor risk situations and coordinate or lead appropriate mitigation strategies in collaboration with internal and external partners.
- Report on escalating concerns, ensuring timely triage and appropriate follow-up of threats or disruptive behaviour.
- Oversee reporting of violence risk, and escalating concerns, ensuring timely triage and appropriate follow-up of these or concerning behaviors.
- Track and manage complex threat cases to ensure compliance with recommendations, continuity of support, and appropriate escalation or closure.
- Complete threat assessments, incident response and planning with relevant stakeholders including Human Resources, Student Affairs, Legal Services, Enterprise Risk Management, Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs, and other internal offices, as well as external policing and emergency services.
- Recognize and understand the importance of assessing matters through multiple lens’ including workplace and student considerations, laws and relevant university policies.
Campus Engagement and Education
- Design and deliver educational programs for faculty, staff, and students to enhance awareness of concerning behaviours, early indicators of risk, and appropriate reporting or intervention pathways. Work directly with teams both on and off campus to ensure safety concerns are understood and develop proactive strategies in response to emergent issues and risks.
- Build strong relationships across academic units, research institutes, student services, and operational departments to support a holistic, community-based approach to safety and well-being.
- Promote safety strategies that balance risk management with principles of inclusion, support, freedom of expression, , and mental health awareness.
External and Institutional Partnerships
- Maintain active relationships with local police services, and other external agencies to ensure a coordinated and scalable response capacity.
- Represent McMaster University as a subject matter expert in risk and threat management, participating in inter-institutional learning networks, advisory committees, or task forces.
Stay abreast of developments in campus security and prevention strategies relevant to post-secondary settings.
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Qualifications
Education:
- A university degree in a relevant field (e.g., criminal justice, emergency management, psychology, risk management, law enforcement) is strongly recommended.
- Previous law enforcement experience in the field of investigations and management is required
- Formal training in structured professional judgment approaches to threat assessment is preferred
- A master’s degree in a relevant field also preferred.
- Formal training in Incident Command is preferred
Experience:
- A minimum of 8–10 years of progressive experience in threat assessment, behavioural risk management, law enforcement, or a comparable field.
- At least 3–5 years in a supervisory or leadership capacity within a complex organization, preferably in a post-secondary, healthcare, or public-sector environment.
- Eligibility for designation as a Special Constable under McMaster’s agreement with local law enforcement is strongly preferred.
- Ability to work outside of standard business hours as needed to respond to urgent issues or support high-profile events.
- May be required to travel between campuses or attend off-site meetings with emergency services or law enforcement.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance, if required.
Additional Requirements:
- Eligibility for designation as a Special Constable under McMaster’s agreement with local law enforcement is preferred.
- Ability to work outside of standard business hours as needed to respond to urgent issues or support high-profile events.
- May be required to travel between campuses or attend off-site meetings with emergency services or law enforcement.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance, if required.
- Familiarity with relevant legal frameworks, criminal case law, privacy legislation, and best practices in case management, threat response, and protective planning.
Why Join McMaster?
- Named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers
- A recognized leader inclusive excellence and community well-being
- A collegial and mission-driven culture that values collaboration and academic freedom
A chance to shape and lead an evolving function in safety and risk strategy within one of Canada’s premier universities
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