The University of Kansas (KU) is the state’s flagship university, an R1 institution and member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). KU has five campuses including the Lawrence campus, the Edwards Campus in Overland Park, and an Academic Medical Center with branches in Kansas City, Wichita, and Salina. As a distinguished R1 research university, KU offers world-class research programs that advance the health sciences and attract national recognition.
Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Audit, Risk & Compliance, the Director of Global Risk & Security provides strategic risk identification and assessment to prevent, reduce, or mitigate security and safety risks to university personnel, programs, physical and data assets, and other intellectual property. Specific focus for the position includes security, foreign influence, international travel, and insider threat risks associated with university domestic and international collaboration; sensitive research; and intellectual property protection. The director works collaboratively across the university and its affiliated entities to support the university’s operations while ensuring security standards and programs meet or exceed institutional and regulatory expectations. The incumbent will serve as a central resource and advisor to the chancellor, general counsel, chief risk officer, vice chancellors for research, and other senior leadership concerning security, investigations, and interpreting threat and risk information potentially impacting the university. They will work closely with the university’s empowered official(s) to develop and implement programs to ensure compliance with required protocols, regulations, and laws, including federally-mandated agency program requirements. And they will serve as university’s Insider Threat Program Senior Official (ITPSO) and the primary liaison official with federal law enforcement and security organizations on matters related to national security and export control.