As one of Canada's largest universities, York is home to a diverse and dynamic community across multiple campuses, offering a broad range of undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in a complex urban environment. In this context, the Executive Director of Community Safety provides strategic leadership and subject matter expertise for community safety services. The safety and well-being of all members of the York University community is of paramount importance and is a key institutional priority. The University is committed to fostering an environment where all community members feel valued and safe to study, work, and socialize on its campuses.

Working in collaboration with senior management and a broad range of offices, internal and external to the University, the Executive Director leads the visioning and implementation of an evidence-informed, relationship- and community-centred safety model that aligns with the University's commitment to decolonization, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The Executive Director is responsible for the comprehensive direction of the University's Community Safety department, ensuring efforts are aligned with the University's strategic objectives and support shared institutional values, mutual trust, interpersonal connection, transparency, accountability, and coordinated response among university community members and external partners. The Executive Director builds and sustains meaningful relationships with students, faculty, staff, senior leaders, campus partners, the public, community organizations, service providers, municipal and provincial agencies, and other external partners. The role also leads high-level community safety projects and transformation initiatives including governance, policy, emergency preparedness, risk management, service coordination, and operational practices. Success in this role is achieved by balancing strategic priorities, operational needs and institutional risk while advancing an inclusive, evidence-informed and community-centred approach to safety and security across York.

The successful candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as emergency management, criminology, public administration, or community development, and bring leadership experience in community safety, emergency management, security services, risk management, or a comparable field. They bring strong strategic, operational, and people leadership capabilities, combined with the ability to build trusted relationships across diverse communities and partners. Grounded in principles of inclusive, trauma-informed, anti-racist, and human rights-informed approaches to complex community safety matters, including mental health, gender-based violence, sexual violence, systemic racism, and related institutional risk

of equity, inclusion, accessibility, human rights, the successful candidate is a skilled communicator and collaborator who can navigate complex issues, lead organizational change, and make sound, evidence-informed decisions in dynamic and high-pressure environments

We would like to thank all applicants but regret that we are only able to personally contact those individuals whose backgrounds best match the requirements for the role. This is a publicly advertised job posting for an existing role. Odgers does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select applicants for a position. The compensation band for this role is $181,418 – $196,945 along with competitive benefits.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

York University is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, 2019 and all applicable provincial accessibility standards, upon request, accommodation will be provided by both Odgers and York University   throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

Odgers is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all the work that we do. As part of our efforts to better understand our ability to reach as broad a pool of candidates as possible for our searches, our DEI team would like to encourage you to take a moment and access our Self-Declaration Form.

First Nations peoples have lived on this part of Turtle Island for millennia, stewarding the land, the water and all that contributes to life in this region. Today, the culture and presence of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples enrich the lands and people of this territory. More than two centuries ago, the Mississauga people welcomed settlers to this territory, providing sustenance and engaging in trade and commerce. Today, York University campuses are located on the Toronto Purchase Treaty No. 13 lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the lands of the Anishinabek of the Williams Treaties First Nations. Our campuses are also situated on the traditional territories of the Huron-Wendat and the Haudenosaunee. Treaty history is foundational, and it is our collective responsibility to honour the land, as we honour and respect those who have gone before us, those who are here and those who have yet to come. We are grateful for the opportunity to be learning, working and thriving on this land, and we commit to learn the truth and be active in the process of reconciliation.