Assistant Director of Security

Assistant Director Of Security

The Assistant Director of Security supports the Area Director of Security in ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of all guests, team members, and assets of the hotel. This leadership role is critical in upholding Forbes 5-Star standards by blending operational vigilance with guest-centric discretion. The Assistant Director leads daily operations, supervises team members, manages investigations, and ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. As part of the pre-opening leadership team, this role contributes to developing and implementing security policies, emergency procedures, and training programs that align with The Cooper's service philosophy of understated luxury, Southern hospitality, and seamless guest protection.

Duties & Responsibilities :

• Assist in planning, coordinating, and directing all security and safety operations across the property.
• Supervise daily security team deployment, ensuring optimal coverage of entrances, exits, patrol zones, and sensitive areas.
• Lead security briefings, daily reports, and shift handovers.
• Assume responsibility for hotel security functions in the absence of the Area Director of Security.
• Conduct daily property patrols, ensuring compliance with safety and cleanliness standards in line with LQA and Forbes expectations.
• Oversee all incident investigations (guest, staff, property damage, theft, accidents) ensuring timely, accurate, and confidential reporting.
• Maintain detailed records through MS SHIFT; prepare reports for Executive Committee review.
• Liaise with local law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency response agencies as needed.
• Conduct root cause analyses and develop corrective action plans to prevent recurrence.
• Model polished guest interaction and discretion in all public-facing duties; ensure the team maintains an approachable and service-oriented presence.
• Support VIP and special event protection planning in collaboration with the Guest Experience and Front Office teams.
• Respond promptly and professionally to guest concerns involving safety, privacy, or disturbances, ensuring seamless service recovery.
• Support the Area Director of Security in developing and maintaining emergency response protocols (fire, hurricane, active threat, medical emergencies, evacuation).
• Coordinate regularly fire alarm, AED, and evacuation drills; maintain documentation for compliance and insurance audits.
• Ensure all team members are trained in emergency procedures during onboarding and recurrent safety training.
• Oversee CCTV, KeyWatcher, and alarm systems testing and maintenance logs.
• Assist with recruitment, onboarding, and performance management of security officers.
• Conduct regular coaching sessions and evaluations; promote accountability and professionalism.
• Develop and deliver training on topics such as de-escalation, guest privacy, incident reporting, and conflict resolution.
• Foster a culture of empathy, composure, and service-minded security aligned with The Cooper's luxury ethos.
• Ensure adherence to OSHA, ADA, PCI-DSS, and local Charleston fire and safety codes.
• Participate in risk assessments and safety audits; maintain up-to-date SOPs and risk registers.
• Oversee lost and found procedures in partnership with Housekeeping and Front Office.
• Review and manage access control lists for sensitive areas (Engineering, IT, Finance).

Required Skills & Experience :

Physical Requirements :

BHC is an equal employment opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and are not based on race, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, uniformed service, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other factor or characteristic protected by applicable law. BHC participates in E-Verify.