Director of Protective Services
Medora, ND
THE THEODORE ROOSEVELT PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY FOUNDATION
“Believe you can, and you’re halfway there.” -Theodore Roosevelt
Since 2014, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation (TRPLF) has been planning and building a new, ambitious kind of presidential library and museum. Other presidential libraries tell the story of a single individual, but the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library (TRPL) – being built more than a century after T.R.’s death – will do more than preserve history. The TRPL will be a people’s library, bringing Roosevelt’s values and relentless spirit to life at a critical time in our nation and world, while simultaneously championing the stories of all who “dare greatly, think boldly, care deeply, and live passionately.”
Set in Medora, North Dakota, the library is surrounded by the breathtaking Badlands landscape. Participants at the TRPL will learn from – not just about – Roosevelt’s story, being transformed into the same stunning Badlands that served as the fulcrum in T.R.’s incredible life story.
Guided by the pillar principles of leadership, citizenship, and conservation, the Foundation has partnered with innovative partners – like the award-winning architecture firm, Snøhetta, and the best-in-class story crafters, the Future of Storytelling – to build an institution like no other. With plans to be the most sustainable presidential library and campus ever, a revolutionary approach to interpretive design, and programming that will spread the library’s message into neighboring Theodore Roosevelt National Park and beyond across the globe, the opportunity to join a talented team in building and opening this institution is truly unique.
About the Role
The Director of Protective Services will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library’s comprehensive protective services program — ensuring the safety and security of visitors, staff, volunteers, artifacts, collections, distinguished guests, and campus infrastructure. This is a rare opportunity to help build and lead a world-class protective services operation at one of the nation’s most ambitious cultural institutions, located in the rugged beauty of North Dakota’s Badlands.
This role serves as the senior leader responsible for protective services strategy, emergency preparedness, risk management, physical security systems, investigations, and operational resilience across the Library campus and related properties. The Director will lead a growing protective services department, including managers, supervisors, officers, contractors, and external security partners, while helping shape the long-term safety culture of the organization.
This position is charged with protecting people, places, collections, and reputation — from daily visitor operations to highly complex events involving presidents, heads of state, dignitaries, donors, public officials, and nationally recognized guests. The Director of Protective Services will oversee protective operations not only for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library campus, but also for select Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation events, programs, traveling exhibitions, and executive engagements across North Dakota and throughout the United States.
The Director serves as the organization’s senior security and protective operations leader and works closely with executive leadership, operations, facilities, visitor experience, exhibitions, events, information technology, and external agencies to ensure a secure, welcoming, and mission-aligned environment. This role requires balancing sophisticated protective operations with hospitality, accessibility, discretion, and public trust.
The ideal candidate is a calm, strategic, and highly collaborative leader with experience operating in complex public-facing environments where security, executive presence, logistics, visitor experience, and interagency coordination must work seamlessly together.
This is more than a leadership role—it's an opportunity to lead a world-class protective services program at one of America's most ambitious cultural institutions. If you're ready to make a lasting impact while helping shape a legacy that will inspire generations, we encourage you to apply.
Core Competencies
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Strategic Leadership & Department Development: Demonstrated ability to build, lead, and evolve complex protective services operations, including organizational design, staffing models, budgeting, policy development, and long-range planning
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Emergency Preparedness & Incident Command: Deep experience leading emergency planning, crisis response, business continuity, and coordination with law enforcement, fire, EMS, emergency management, and federal agencies including the United States Secret Service
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Security Operations & Infrastructure: Advanced understanding of integrated security technologies and operational systems, including CCTV/AI analytics, access control, intrusion detection, communications systems, dispatch, credentialing, and control room operations
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Executive Protection & High-Profile Event Security: Experience coordinating protective operations for distinguished visitors, elected officials, dignitaries, executives, donors, public figures, and nationally significant events in partnership with federal, state, and local agencies
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Multi-Site & Special Event Operations: Ability to oversee protective services planning and operational coordination across multiple venues, temporary events, traveling programs, and offsite institutional engagements throughout the United States
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Executive Presence & Interagency Coordination: Proven ability to operate effectively with senior executives, elected officials, law enforcement leadership, federal agencies, and community stakeholders
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Leadership & Team Development: Strong leadership capability with experience recruiting, mentoring, developing, and holding accountable both in-house and contracted protective services personnel
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Crisis Management & Decision Making: Ability to remain composed under pressure, manage rapidly evolving incidents, and make sound operational decisions in high-stakes environments
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Risk Assessment & Mitigation: Experience identifying vulnerabilities and implementing layered security strategies across physical, operational, reputational, and event-related risks
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Policy & Compliance Management: Experience developing and implementing policies, SOPs, emergency response plans, investigations protocols, and compliance frameworks aligned with OSHA, ADA, NFPA, FEMA/NIMS, and museum standards
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Visitor-Centered Security Philosophy: Ability to balance protective measures with exceptional guest experience, accessibility, and hospitality in a public-facing institution
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Cultural Institution & Collections Awareness: Understanding of the unique operational and security needs of museums, libraries, archives, public institutions, and cultural collections
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Discretion & Integrity: Exceptional judgment, professionalism, and ability to manage sensitive or confidential matters with integrity and discretion
The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation (TRPLF) is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. TRPLF does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other reason prohibited by law as a provision of employment opportunities and benefits.
The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible environment. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete your application, participate in an interview, or otherwise navigate our hiring process, please email careers at trlibrary.com. Our team will connect with you to explore the best way to support your experience. Our team will connect with you to explore the best way to support your experience.
