Associate Vice President, Threat Management

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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