Director of Security

Director of Security

Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company widely recognized as an innovator in the industry. Highgate is the dominant player in major U.S. gateway cities including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco and Honolulu, with a growing Caribbean and Latin America footprint. The hospitality forward company provides expert guidance through all stages of the property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate has a proven record of developing its diverse portfolio of bespoke lifestyle hotel brands, legacy brands, and independent hotels and resorts with contemporary programming and digital acumen. The company utilizes industry-leading revenue management tools that efficiently identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive outperformance and maximize asset value. With an executive team consisting of some of the most experienced hotel management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. Highgate maintains corporate offices in New York, Chicago, Dallas, London, Miami, and Seattle. www.highgate.com.

Situated at the end of famed Canal Street, The Westin New Orleans offers stunning views of the mighty Mississippi River and the French Quarter. Guests are just steps from the Shops at Canal Place and Harrahs Casino and a short walk to the excitement of Bourbon Street and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The hotel features 462 rooms and suites, including a Presidential Suite, with Westin's signature Heavenly bedding, 34,000-sq-ft of event space, a fully equipped WestinWORKOUT fitness center, a lobby bar Observatory 11 with the best view of the French Quarter anywhere, and a new restaurant Bistro at the Bend.

The Director of Security is responsible for ensuring the operation of the Security Department in an attentive, friendly, efficient and courteous manner, providing all guests with a safe and secure environment throughout their stay, and for protecting hotel guests, employees and the physical property of the company.

• Maintain a warm and friendly demeanor at all times.
• Must be able to effectively communicate both verbally and written, with all level of employees and guests in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service oriented manner.
• Must be effective at listening to, understanding, and clarifying concerns raised by employees and guests.
• Must be able to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines.
• Approach all encounters with guests and employees in an attentive, friendly, courteous and service-oriented manner.
• Attend all hotel required meetings and trainings.
• Participate in M.O.D. coverage as required.
• Maintain regular attendance in compliance with Highgate Hotel Standards, as required by scheduling, which will vary according to the needs of the hotel.
• Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, which include wearing nametags.
• Comply with Highgate Hotel Standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations.
• Maximize efforts towards productivity, identify problem areas and assist in implementing solutions.
• Must be effective in handling problems, including anticipating, preventing, identifying and solving problems as necessary.
• Must be able to understand and evaluate complex information, data, etc. from various sources to meet appropriate objectives.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Perform other duties as requested by management.

Fundamental Requirements:

• Motivate, coach, counsel and discipline all Security personnel according to Highgate Hotels SOP's.
• Review Activity Reports of all security shifts daily.
• Review incident reports and ensure that they are written in a clear and concise manner.
• Efficiently relay all information involved in emergency situations to designated management.
• Assist outside agencies with all communication needs.
• Assist in supervising and reviewing investigations.
• Implement procedures to cover emergencies such as fires, bomb threats, weather problems, power outages and evacuation measures.
• Be an active member of the Safety Committee.
• Monitor and assist with procedures for Lost and Found items.
• Ensure that property patrols are regularly conducted, maintaining Security visibility and logging safety and security issues.
• Know Innkeepers Laws and ensure the hotels compliance.
• Know and ensure compliance with the Loss Prevention SOPs.
• Assist in training all department personnel in MSDS, HazComm, and Bloodborne Pathogen procedures.
• Maintain the Emergency response Kit.
• Assist the Human Resources Department with conducting quarterly locker room audits.
• Assist in preparing and conducting all Security interviews and follow hiring procedures according to Highgate Hotels SOP's.
• Develop employee morale and ensure training of Security personnel.
• Review Security staff's worked hours for payroll compilation and submit to Accounting on a timely basis.
• Assist in preparing employee Schedule according to business forecast, payroll budget guidelines and productivity requirements.
• Maintain Highgate Hotel SOP's regarding Purchase Orders, vouchering of invoices and checkbook accounting.
• Maintain a professional working relationship and promote open lines of communication with managers, employees and other departments.
• Ensure implementation of all Highgate Hotels policies and house rules. Understand hospitality terms.
• Ensure sign off of all Service Standards by Position for Security staff.
• Carry a pager or radio at all times. Operate pagers and radios efficiently and professionally in communicating with hotel staff. Ensure the proper use of radio etiquette within the department.
• Establish and maintain key control system.
• Maintain required pars of all Security office and stationary supplies.
• Perform guest and employee escorts as required.
• Conduct bag and package inspections.
• Conduct daily key audits and follow up on any discrepancies.
• Assist with guest requests and guestroom entries while maintaining proper security and guest privacy.
• Review Security log book and Guest Request log on a daily basis.
• Maintain an organized and comprehensive filing system with documentation of purchases, vouchering, schedules, forecasts, reports and tracking logs.
• Monitor and ensure the use of the employee entrance.

Education & Experience:

• At least 3 years of progressive experience in a hotel or a related field.
• Supervisory experience preferred.

• Must be proficient in Windows 95, Company approved spreadsheets and word processing.
• Must have a valid drivers license from the applicable state.