Director of Security Full-time

Recognized as the #1 Best Canadian Hotel in Travel + Leisure's 2024 World's Best Awards, Fairmont Empress is located in Victoria, BC, overlooking the city's sparkling Inner Harbour. A Forbes recommended and MICHELIN key hotel that offers 431 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites, Fairmont Spa with signature West Coast experiences, and Q at the Empress featuring Pacific Northwest cuisine, an award-winning wine list, and regionally focused cocktail culture. World-famous Tea at the Empress is served in the Lobby Lounge with stunning harbour views.

The magnificent property completed a $60+ million restoration in 2017 that celebrated its proud history while moving the hotel into a new era of modern luxury and transforming the iconic property into a must-visit destination. In 2023, the property introduced a revamped Fairmont Gold Experience, including a major renovation to the Fairmont Gold floor. 88 Fairmont Gold rooms and a newly renovated lounge are ready to accommodate guests. Located on Vancouver Island, Canada's Castle on the Coast is the ideal starting point to explore British Columbia's stunning natural and expansive beauty. Historic Hotels Worldwide recognizes the property's prestigious grounds as the Top 25 Most Magnificent Gardens in the World.

What is in it for you:

• Wonderful company culture – our colleagues are at the heart of all we do
• Excellent training with the opportunity to build a successful career
• Career development opportunities with national and international promotion opportunities 
• Learning programs through our Academies designed to sharpen your skills
• Ability to make a difference through our Corporate Social Responsibility activities
• Employee benefit card offering discounted rates at Accor properties worldwide and additional benefits for Fairmont and Raffles colleagues  
• Exclusive Employee and Friends & Family Discounts at Fairmont Empress 
• Exclusive access to the Pacific Northwest Food & Beverage Discount Program with 50% off at our dining destinations in Vancouver, Victoria, and Whistler
• Complimentary meal during your shift through our Colleague Dining Program 
• Complimentary uniform laundering
• Access to our comprehensive benefits and wellness programs, including extended healthcare benefits and RMT, dental, vision.
• Complimentary counseling, wellness sessions, financial and family planning through our Employee Assistance Program
• Access to our company-matched Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DCPP)
• Opportunity to develop your talent through coaching and our Leadership Mentoring Programs
• Opportunity to participate in our Leadership Incentive Program
• Competitive salary starting at $77,140

What you will be doing: 

Reporting to the Director, Operations, the Director of Security is responsible for overseeing and directing all security and safety operations at the hotel, ensuring the protection of guests, colleagues, and property while upholding the highest standards of luxury hospitality. This role provides strategic leadership, develops policies and procedures, and manages a professional team to deliver a safe, secure, and welcoming environment that supports the hotel’s reputation for excellence. Lead and coach the Security team to achieve exceptional levels of guest service and colleague satisfaction results, through the application of all Corporate and property security standards and policies.

Leadership & Strategy

• Develop, implement, and maintain the hotel’s comprehensive security and safety strategy in alignment with brand standards, regulations, and industry best practices.
• Lead, train, and mentor the security team, ensuring ongoing professional development and performance excellence.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to align security priorities with overall business objectives.
• Deliver regular updates to hotel leadership on security operations, risks, and improvements
• Monitor security trends in Victoria’s hotel environment and implement proactive measures to prevent loss or risk.
• Liaise with local law enforcement, community peers, and counsel to maintain effective safety and security partnerships.
• Lead hotel-wide training on emergency systems, evacuation procedures, and non-violent crisis intervention.

Safety & Risk Management

• Oversee and regularly review all security, fire, life safety, and emergency procedures.
• Conduct risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and implement preventative measures.
• Ensure compliance with all
• Oversee all hotel emergency systems (key control, CCTV, monitoring, fire panel), ensuring upkeep, testing, and compliance with local, provincial, and federal regulations, as well as brand standards.
• Develop systems and processes to minimize workplace injury in accordance with Occupational Health & Safety and WorkSafeBC requirements.
• Play an active role in risk and crisis management, maintaining accurate and up-to-date Business Continuity Plans and safety tools.
• Lead the annual COR Audit in partnership with People & Culture.

Security Operations

• Manage effective use of resources including labour management.
• Direct daily security operations, including staff deployment, surveillance, access control, and incident response.
• Oversee investigations into incidents, accidents, and potential breaches, preparing detailed reports and recommendations.
• Maintain accurate documentation of incidents, audits, inspections, and investigations.
• Coordinate with external emergency services (police, fire, medical) as required.
• Champion a culture of safety, care, and well-being that supports guest satisfaction and colleague engagement.
• Coordinate hotel-wide emergency procedure training and communication.
• Remain available for emergency response both on and off duty.

Guest & Colleague Relations

• Provide a discreet yet effective, reassuring presence while engaging discreetly and professionally with guests and colleagues to maintain a luxury experience.
• Manage special security measures for VIPs, dignitaries, and delegations.
• Lead safety awareness initiatives and training programs for all hotel colleagues.
• Investigate and follow up on guest and colleague security reports.
• Other projects and duties as assigned.

Your experience and skills include:

• Bachelor’s degree in Security Management, Criminal Justice, Hospitality Management, or a related field preferred; college/university education in a related discipline an asset.
• Minimum three years of security leadership experience in a high-volume hotel, casino, resort, or comparable environment.
• Valid Security License and Occupational First Aid Level II (or ability to obtain and maintain).
• Relevant certifications in safety, security, and emergency systems (e.g., electronic security, emergency response, de-escalation, patrol training, fire safety, or risk management) required or considered an asset.
• Previous training or experience in law enforcement preferred; strong connections with local authorities (VPD/RCMP) an advantage.
• Proven knowledge of emergency safety systems, risk management, and incident response.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, train, and develop a diverse team.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with a guest-centric approach.
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm, decisive, and professional under pressure.
• Highly organized with proven ability to manage confidential information and multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Computer literacy, including proficiency in MS Word and Excel.

Visa Requirements: Must be legally eligible to work in Canada. The hotel is unable to assist candidates in obtaining Canadian work authorization.

Your team and working environment: Welcome to Canada’s Castle on the Coast. The Empress Hotel sits proudly at the centre of culture and history in Victoria, British Columbia. This is the best of all worlds – where contrast meets distinction, opulence blends harmoniously with the understated and fabled history meshes with contemporary affairs. This award-winning Victoria hotel and National Historic Site is an alluring blend of classic and contemporary, vintage and cutting-edge: Where Modern meets Iconic. Come join our wonderful team of hospitality experts!

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:
We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent.

Why work for Accor?
We are far more than a worldwide leader. We welcome you as you are and you can find a job and brand that matches your personality. We support you to grow and learn every day, making sure that work brings purpose to your life, so that during your journey with us, you can continue to explore Accor’s limitless possibilities.
By joining Accor, every chapter of your story is yours to write and together we can imagine tomorrow's hospitality. Discover the life that awaits you at Accor, visit https://careers.accor.com/

Do what you love, care for the world, dare to challenge the status quo! #BELIMITLESS