Executive Director, Safety, Business Continuity and Risk Management

The Executive Director leads the university's emergency preparedness, business continuity, risk management, and Clery Act compliance programs, and oversees the campus environmental health and safety functions. This role ensures the institution can operate safely, respond effectively to emergencies, meet federal safety requirements, and manage institutional risks.

Initial screening will begin on March 10, 2026 and thereafter until filled.

The University of Memphis is a leading, student-centered, urban public R1 research institution. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, on 1,160 acres. The University serves a population of nearly 20,000 students and 2,500 employees, including more than 1,000 full-time faculty members. The University offers bachelor's degrees in more than 230 areas of study, master's degrees in more than 50 subjects and doctoral degrees in 26 disciplines; supported an institutional record of more than $100 million in research awards for FY24; and has an operating budget of close to $500 million.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required in a relevant field such as Risk Management, Business Administration, Occupational Health and Safety, or Public Administration. Prefer Master's Degree or Higher: (e.g., MBA, Risk Management, or a Juris Doctor) to handle the complex legal and strategic demands of the role.
• Leadership and Supervisory Experience: A minimum of 7 to 10 years of progressively responsible experience in risk management, compliance, or emergency preparedness with 3 to 5 of those years managing professional staff and leading cross-functional teams, in a command or supervisory capacity.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Professional Certifications Preferred

Professional designations preferred that demonstrate technical mastery:

Associate in Risk Management (ARM), or Certified Risk Manager (CRM), or Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)

• Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU).
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Certified Hazardous Material Manager (CHMM) for the safety and environmental components of the role.
• FEMA NIMS/ICS 100-800 Certified Desired

Critical Knowledge and Skills (Competencies)

• Regulatory Expertise: Preference if the candidate has In-depth understanding of either the Clery Act, Title IX, VAWA, International Fire Code (IFC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and OSHA regulations preferred.
• Risk Mitigation Strategy: Ability to design and implement risk transfer, self-insurance structures, and complex business continuity plans.
• Strategic Communication: Excellence in interacting with senior university leadership, boards of trustees, and federal regulatory agencies

Business Continuity & Emergency Preparedness

• Develop and maintain university-wide plans to ensure operations continue during major disruptions.
• Partner with departments to review and update their disaster recovery and continuity plans.
• Assess critical functions, recovery timelines, and resource needs.
• Oversee communication processes and systems used during emergencies.
• Manage continuity planning software and provide training on its use.
• Evaluate risks associated with major changes, external events, or new regulations.

Crisis Management

• Maintain and update the institution's Crisis Management Plan.
• Advise leadership on emergency response strategies and improvements.
• Develop and conduct crisis exercises and drills.
• Monitor incidents, trends, and emerging threats.
• Provide regular briefings to senior leadership.

Campus Safety, Compliance and Reporting

• Develop and deliver training on emergency procedures and federal safety requirements.
• Support a university committee focused on Clery compliance.
• Develop and maintain maps identifying Clery-reportable locations.
• Coordinate annual emergency response tests and required documentation.
• Collaborates with Police Services in representing the university at public safety and emergency management events.
• Lead policies, processes, and documentation required under the Clery Act.
• Produce the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.
• Identify and train Campus Security Authorities as described in the Clery Act.
• Collaborate with Police Services in collecting crime data and submitting federally required statistics.
• Maintain records related to emergency notifications, timely warnings, and fire safety reporting.
• Monitor changes to federal regulations affecting overall campus safety.

Risk Management & Insurance Programs

• Identify risks and determine appropriate insurance or risktransfer strategies.
• Manage insurance procurement, including liability, property, auto, and workers' compensation.
• Oversee claims, investigations, and compliance in partnership with insurers and attorneys.

Environmental Health & Safety

• Oversee Environmental Health and Safety operations.
• Ensure compliance with workplace, environmental, and fire safety regulations.
• Develop programs supporting environmental, occupational, and fire safety standards.
• Support safety compliance for international programs.

Other related duties as assigned.