Director of Security

Role Overview and Responsibilities

The Director of Security is responsible for providing strategic guidance and daily operational oversight of the Security, Law Enforcement, EMS, Traffic, and Rapid Response Teams at Prairie Meadows. This role entails developing departmental objectives, policies, budget plans, and performance indicators that support the organization's overall strategic goals while fostering operational excellence, employee development, continuous improvement, and superior guest service.

The Director will oversee security activities designed to protect employees, guests, vendors, assets, confidential information, and operational areas related to gaming and racing. This includes formulating and enforcing security policies, post directives, emergency protocols, access control systems, incident documentation procedures, and physical security measures.

Keeping abreast of regulatory developments and best practices in gaming security, emergency management, workplace safety, investigations, and enterprise risk is crucial. The Director will evaluate new security technologies, recommending implementations that improve operational efficiency, accountability, and risk management.

The role includes leading administrative, regulatory, workplace, and internal investigations involving theft, fraud, gaming or racing rule infractions, misconduct, guest incidents, liability claims, property losses, threats, and safety concerns, as well as assisting criminal investigations related to the organization.

Additionally, the Director manages the organization’s emergency readiness including crisis management, business continuity, weather responses, evacuation planning, active threat protocols, medical coordination, and critical incident responses. Oversight of the Rapid Response Team involves ensuring operational readiness, equipment upkeep, certification compliance, training, documentation, use-of-force standards, de-escalation practices, and collaboration with law enforcement, fire, EMS, regulatory authorities, and other emergency partners. Preparedness is maintained through regular plan updates, simulation exercises, drills, inspections, after-action reviews, and follow-up on corrective measures.

The Director leads recruitment, training, mentoring, scheduling, supervision, and evaluation of security department staff, promoting responsibility, professionalism, teamwork, respectful behavior, compliance, and ongoing learning. Developing training programs aligned with regulatory standards, company policies, emergency response, safety, guest service, and industry best practices is a key responsibility.

Financial stewardship also falls under this role, including managing operating and capital budgets, staffing, procurement, contracts, inventory, fleet and equipment management, and capital expenditures.

Education and Experience Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Business Administration, Homeland Security, Emergency Management, Public Administration, Risk Management, or related fields is preferred. Equivalent education combined with military service, law enforcement, corporate or hospitality security experience, emergency management, and increasing leadership responsibilities may be accepted.

Candidates should possess at least eight years of progressively responsible experience in security, law enforcement, military, emergency management, corporate or hospitality security, or gaming security sectors. This must include a minimum of five years in senior management roles overseeing operations, personnel, budgeting, investigations, compliance, and strategic planning.

Experience in highly regulated environments such as gaming, racing, hospitality, healthcare, financial services, higher education, public safety, or critical infrastructure is highly favored. While gaming industry experience is preferred, capable candidates without direct experience must demonstrate the ability to swiftly learn Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission regulations, occupational licensing, Title 31 compliance, internal controls, surveillance coordination, and operational security needs.

Rapid Response Team Operational Requirements

As the Director of Security holds executive responsibility for Prairie Meadows’ Rapid Response Team readiness, they must be capable of supporting operational preparedness. If assigned active participation duties, the Director must:

• Complete the Rapid Response Team Basic Academy successfully.
• Maintain all required departmental certifications.
• Qualify with all department-issued weapons and equipment.
• Fulfill annual firearms qualifications and continuing education.
• Keep proficiency in utilizing tactical equipment.