Security Manager

About Constellation Constellation is an independent research center that brings together people throughout the AI safety ecosystem to accelerate insight, research, and talent through better cooperation. Unlike a conference or summit, Constellation operates continuously, in the form of a physical workspace as well as conference-style talks, workshops, and training bootcamps. Continuous operation allows for relationships and conversations to develop over time, meaningfully fostering trust, collaboration, and shared insight. It also makes Constellation a natural field-building hub by rapidly inspiring, orienting, and connecting people who are newer to the field. Based in Berkeley, CA, our shared workspace hosts over 500 people per week across dozens of AI safety organizations in nonprofits, academia, industry, and government. Hundreds of other researchers spend time at Constellation for shorter visits each year. We believe this is the strongest and highest-output network of AI safety researchers in the world; dozens of participants in past Constellation programs have gone on to safety-focused roles at companies such as METR, Redwood Research, Anthropic, Google DeepMind, OpenAI, and the US and UK Safety Institutes. About the role Constellation hosts over 500 people per week from AI safety organizations across nonprofits, academia, industry, and government. Many work on sensitive research, and our visitors include senior figures from labs and governments. As our Security & Safety Manager, you’ll own the strategy and execution of our physical security and workplace safety program, so people can collaborate openly in a space that is also well protected. You’ll inherit a working foundation: established access control and camera systems, strong relationships with building management, and a small team that runs daily operations. Your job is to turn that into a mature, risk-informed program. You’ll set the direction, raise the bar on our practices, lead response when things go wrong, and build the team that sustains the program as Constellation grows. You’ll report to the CEO and manage a Lead and Coordinator. The Lead has deep operational and member-experience expertise. You’ll bring the security depth, program design, and senior judgment that complement it. This is a hands-on leadership role. You’ll spend time on strategy and policy, and time walking the floors, working incidents, and coaching the team.

Key responsibilities

Program strategy and risk management Develop and own Constellation’s physical security and safety strategy, grounded in a clear understanding of our threat landscape, including insider risk, unauthorized access, targeted interest in our members, and workplace safety hazards. Run periodic risk assessments and security reviews of our space, access practices, and events. Prioritize and drive remediation. Write, maintain, and communicate security and safety policies and procedures that staff, members, and visitors can easily follow. Define and report on program metrics (e.g., access audit results, incident trends, drill performance, time to close open issues) to leadership. Serve as the senior security voice in conversations with leadership, helping them weigh risk, cost, and openness. Access control and visitor management Own the governance model for badging, access levels, visitor vetting and escort, and offboarding across staff, hosted researchers, visitors, and vendors. Ensure access is granted on a least-privilege basis, reviewed regularly, and revoked promptly. Set direction for access control, camera, and visitor management systems, including architecture, vendor selection, and upgrades. Define the approach for sensitive or high-profile visits, including advance planning and coordination with hosts. Incident response and emergency preparedness Lead response to significant security and safety incidents, from suspicious activity to medical emergencies. Run after-action reviews and drive follow-through. Own the emergency preparedness program: evacuation and shelter-in-place plans, floor warden network, drills, and emergency supplies. Own the workplace violence prevention plan and keep it current, trained, and exercised. Build and maintain incident response playbooks and run tabletop exercises with relevant staff. Serve as the escalation point for the team and an on-call contact for urgent issues. Events and guest security Partner with the Program and Program Operations teams to build security into event planning, including guest lists, on-site coverage, and contingency planning for larger or higher-profile gatherings. Provide security guidance for guest travel and accommodations where relevant. Partnerships and vendors Manage senior relationships with building security, property management, and external vendors (guard services, systems integrators, safety consultants). Hold them to clear expectations. Select and manage the contract guard vendor, including scope, post orders, staffing, metrics, and quarterly reviews. Serve as the primary security contact for hosted organizations, their security leads, and funders. Build relationships with local emergency services and the broader Berkeley/Bay Area security community. Coordinate with our information security function so physical and digital security reinforce each other, especially around devices, badging, and handling of sensitive information. Team leadership Manage, coach, and develop the Security & Safety Lead, and set direction for the Senior Specialist and Coordinator roles. Define the team’s structure, roles, and hiring and training standards as the program grows. Set clear priorities and expectations, delegate effectively, and build a team culture that is approachable, vigilant, and service-oriented. Work closely with Program Operations so that site operations, member experience, and security decisions stay aligned. Budget and planning Own the security and safety budget, including systems, services, supplies, and training. Build a multi-quarter roadmap and make the case for investments based on risk. Skills & experience

You may be a good fit if you have:

8+ years of experience in corporate security, physical security, protective operations, emergency management, or a similar field, including at least 3 years leading a security program or team. A record of building a security program, not just running one, ideally in an environment that balances openness with protection (e.g., a research institution, tech company, coworking space, or multi-tenant office). Sound judgment in ambiguous, high-stakes situations, and the ability to stay calm and decisive during incidents. A risk-based mindset: you weigh likelihood, impact, and cost, and recommend proportionate measures rather than defaulting to maximum restriction. Experience managing managers or leads, or a strong record of developing people and leading work through others. Hands-on familiarity with access control, video surveillance, and visitor management systems. Experience managing a contract guard force and security technology vendors, including negotiation and performance management. Working knowledge of Cal/OSHA requirements for offices and life safety codes for high-rise tenants. Excellent written and verbal communication, and the ability to influence senior researchers and leadership while staying approachable to first-time visitors. Strong discretion with confidential and sensitive information. A “how does this feel to the person walking through the door?” mindset: you want security to be effective and respectful. Nice to have Experience with executive protection, event security, or security for high-profile guests. Familiarity with insider risk programs or counterintelligence awareness. Background in emergency management or incident command (e.g., ICS/NIMS training). Certifications such as CPP, PSP, or CPR/AED/First Aid/Stop the Bleed. Interest in or familiarity with AI safety, or willingness to learn why this community faces a distinctive security context. Familiarity with frontier AI security frameworks and what AI labs, government partners, and funders expect of physical security. Practical requirements Full time, on site in Berkeley during core business hours, with occasional early, late, or weekend coverage for events, drills, and incidents. All work is done on a Constellation-issued and managed device. Able to walk all floors and respond on site during incidents, with or without reasonable accommodation. Sign a confidentiality agreement before starting. Offers are contingent on a background check conducted in compliance with the California Fair Chance Act and ICRAA.