The Office of Ethics and Compliance is seeking an Associate Vice President, Threat Management (AVP) to provide strategic leadership and oversight of the university’s threat management function. Reporting to the Vice President, Office of Ethics and Compliance, this role serves as the university’s senior authority and subject matter expert in behavioral threat assessment, prevention and preparedness.
The AVP leads complex risk assessments and is responsible for identifying, assessing and managing threats toward members of the university community (on or off campus), while coordinating university-wide response strategies. This position oversees the threat management team, partners closely with senior leadership and campus stakeholders, and ensures the university maintains effective, legally sound, and best-practice threat management protocols.
In addition, the AVP supports training and education efforts, contributes to institutional committees and task forces, and maintains awareness of evolving legal, regulatory, and professional standards. This role requires exceptional judgment, discretion, and the ability to lead confidently in highly sensitive and high-stakes situations.
This position will be fully onsite at the University Park Campus, 5 days a week.
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Conducting behavioral threat assessments and determining risk levels involving members of the university community
Leading interviews, reviewing relevant data (including social media), and collaborating with campus and local law enforcement to inform risk analysis
Developing and coordinating response and case management strategies
Overseeing the threat management team, including case discussions, operations, training, and response coordination
Serving as the university’s subject matter expert, providing consultation and guidance to campus stakeholders
Maintaining confidential case records and ensuring appropriate documentation of processes and outcomes
Partnering with campus departments on threat response efforts, debriefings, and educational initiatives
Developing and updating threat assessment protocols, training materials, and campus guidance
Monitoring legal, regulatory, and industry developments impacting threat management (including FERPA and HIPAA considerations)
Representing the university on internal and external committees and professional networks
Perform other related duties as assigned. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree in a related field
10 years of related professional experience
Seven (7) years of experience within threat assessment and management OR eight (8) years of experience in behavioral threat assessment and management, intelligence analysis, or campus safety
Experience working with a wide variety of populations
Excellent problem-solving, written, oral communication, and listening skills
Proven interpersonal skills with the ability to develop good stakeholder relationships and work effectively with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and law enforcement
Demonstrated organizational skills and the ability to undertake multiple tasks simultaneously
Self-starter with high standards of professionalism and confidentiality
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in criminal justice, psychology, social work, higher education or related fields
12 years of related professional experience
10 years of experience in behavioral threat assessment and management, intelligence analysis, or campus safety OR 10 years of experience in higher education or a large, complex organization
5 years of experience in leadership or management roles
Professional experience working within a university setting
Experience working with law enforcement
Required Documents and Additional Information
Resume and cover letter required (may be submitted as one attachment).
The annual base salary range for this position is $225,000 - $262,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.
To support faculty and staff well-being, USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of benefits and perks to help protect their and their dependents’ health, wealth, and future. These benefits are available as part of the overall compensation and total rewards package.
The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Required Education: Master's degree
USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.
We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.
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