Account Director – Venue(s) (Global Sporting Event)

The iLUKA Collective•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

The iLUKA Collective is a specialised agency, developing and delivering coordinated strategic activations for sponsors and other stakeholders at global sports events. We are experts in executing cutting edge event hospitality experiences born from intelligent strategic direction. Our heritage is big events for big companies looking for strategic and measured solutions which focus on creating unforgettable experiences for stakeholder’s integral to sponsors success. Our experience working with Sponsors, Organising Committees, International Sporting Federations, Governing Bodies and City stakeholders enables us to develop our clients sponsorship story to ensure that activations maximise the communication of their messages as well as guide global teams and their local markets through the unique complexities of delivering effectively at global sports events. Working at The iLUKA Collective is a unique experience, we take people seriously, hospitality is about people, it is our people that drive the difference. We work with talented people from around the world who are renowned for their hard work and industry expertise, we are defined by our passion for sport, hospitality and creativity. The Account Director – Venue will provide strong, visible leadership and ensure that the Venue delivers an exceptional experience for the client, invited guests, visitors and other key stakeholders. The role requires an experienced senior event professional who combines excellent client management skills with strong operational leadership, financial awareness and the ability to lead complex major-event delivery in a fast-paced environment. This will be a contract role until October 2028, and you will need the right to work in the US. Summary of Role The Account Director – Venue is a senior role responsible for the overall client relationship, planning, operational readiness and successful delivery of a designated Venue. The role will act as the senior day-to-day client lead for the Venue, ensuring that all aspects of the project are delivered in line with the client’s objectives, agreed scope, budget, programme and service expectations. Working closely with the Creative Services and Production and the wider senior leadership team, the Account Director – Venue will lead the Venue team and coordinate internal departments, suppliers, contractors and key stakeholders throughout the full project lifecycle, from planning and preparation through to live operations, breakdown and post-event reconciliation.

Requirements

Strong supplier and client relationship skills.
Strong budgeting and financial management skills.
Excellent event management experience.
Major Events, Olympic or World Cup experience highly preferable.
Strong leadership skills.
Excellent ability to communicate effectively and build strong working relationships.
Excellent project planning and timeline management skills.
Capable of managing multiple workstreams and priorities simultaneously.
Strong operational and Venue management experience.
Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Strong risk management capability.
Excellent IT skills, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
Confident using different platforms, systems and devices.
Fluent in English.
Additional language skills may be required depending on the project.
First Aid and Fire Marshal training preferable.
High energy, comfortable working potentially long hours in a demanding but rewarding and friendly environment
Flexible, enthusiastic, confident, outgoing
Willing to roll sleeves up and get involved
Passionate about sport, hospitality and delivery
Able to work in a calm, kind and professional manner in a pressured environment
Ability to prioritise a demanding workload
Right to work in the US

Nice To Haves

Major Events, Olympic or World Cup experience highly preferable.
First Aid and Fire Marshal training preferable.
Additional language skills may be required depending on the project.

Responsibilities

Act as the senior day-to-day client lead for all matters relating to the Venue.
Build and maintain a trusted, collaborative and solutions-focused relationship with key client stakeholders.
Develop a thorough understanding of the client’s objectives, priorities and expectations and ensure these are reflected throughout Venue planning and delivery.
Lead client meetings, presentations, project reviews and operational updates.
Provide clear and proactive communication regarding project progress, key milestones, risks, decisions and opportunities.
Provide considered advice and recommendations to the client and proactively identify solutions to challenges as they arise.
Manage client expectations and ensure agreed deliverables, scope and service standards are maintained.
Work closely with Creative Services, Production and senior leadership team on key decisions, escalations and strategic matters.
Identify opportunities to enhance the client experience and add value throughout the project.
Take overall ownership of the planning, readiness and operational delivery of the Venue.
Lead the Venue project team throughout planning, build, live operations, breakdown and project close.
Act as the primary Venue contact for iLUKA senior management.
Establish clear roles, responsibilities, communication channels and ways of working across the Venue team.
Ensure all Venue operations are delivered in accordance with agreed operational plans, procedures and service standards.
Lead Venue readiness reviews and ensure outstanding actions are appropriately managed and closed.
Establish appropriate Venue reporting and escalation processes.
Ensure accurate and timely reporting to senior management and the client.
Oversee the production and distribution of Venue run sheets, operating plans and other critical operational documentation.
Ensure the Venue is appropriately opened, operated and closed each day in accordance with agreed procedures.
Provide calm, visible and decisive senior leadership throughout live operations.
Own the overall Venue project plan and ensure key milestones, dependencies and deadlines are understood and achieved.
Lead the development of detailed Venue operational plans and supporting documentation.
Coordinate closely with Creative Services, Production, project management, hospitality, operations, technology, security, logistics and other relevant workstreams.
Ensure effective coordination between internal teams, external suppliers, contractors and Venue stakeholders.
Oversee Venue preparation, handover, build, operational readiness and breakdown.
Ensure project documentation is accurate, current and appropriately distributed.
Lead the development and implementation of Venue contingency plans.
Ensure changes to scope, programme or operational requirements are identified, assessed and communicated appropriately.
Support wider client projects where required.
Provide senior oversight of all third-party suppliers and contractors supporting the Venue.
Lead or support supplier procurement, negotiation, appointment and contracting as required.
Establish clear supplier scopes, responsibilities, service standards and reporting lines.
Ensure suppliers are appropriately onboarded, briefed and managed.
Maintain strong working relationships with key suppliers and Venue partners.
Monitor supplier performance and address any areas of concern or non-performance.
Ensure all contractors and suppliers understand relevant operational, emergency, health and safety and security procedures.
Coordinate supplier site access, deliveries, installation, servicing and breakdown requirements.
Ensure supplier performance supports the overall client and guest experience.
Take responsibility for the Venue budget and maintain clear oversight of project expenditure.
Work closely with the project and finance teams to ensure accurate forecasting, tracking and reconciliation.
Review and approve expenditure within agreed levels of authority.
Oversee purchase orders, supplier invoices and payment processes.
Identify potential budget pressures or variances and escalate these appropriately.
Ensure appropriate financial controls are maintained throughout the project.
Lead or support supplier negotiations to ensure appropriate commercial outcomes.
Oversee post-event financial reconciliation and supplier close-out.
Ensure petty cash and Venue expenditure are managed in accordance with agreed procedures.
Take senior responsibility for the smooth and effective day-to-day operation of the Venue.
Ensure the Venue delivers consistently against the agreed operations plan and client expectations.
Maintain oversight of guest and visitor flows, capacity and dwell times to ensure a safe and positive experience.
Oversee crowd management and queuing arrangements where required.
Act as a senior escalation point for operational issues and incidents.
Ensure appropriate contingency plans are implemented rapidly where operational disruption occurs.
Coordinate responses to technology, IT, infrastructure or service failures to minimise disruption to the client and guest experience.
Ensure the Venue is maintained to a consistently high standard throughout live operations.
Oversee Venue maintenance, cleaning, waste management, catering replenishment and other operational services.
Coordinate ad hoc Venue logistics, deliveries and operational requirements.
Ensure daily Venue briefings and debriefs are effective and that relevant information is communicated across all teams.
Maintain senior oversight of operational risk across the Venue.
Ensure Venue risks are identified, assessed, managed and escalated appropriately.
Ensure Venue activity complies with relevant health and safety requirements and agreed project procedures.
Maintain oversight of incident reporting and ensure appropriate follow-up actions are implemented.
Ensure emergency, evacuation, first aid and medical procedures are understood across the Venue team.
Coordinate the implementation of emergency and evacuation procedures should they be required.
Work closely with security leads to ensure the agreed security profile is maintained throughout operations.
Ensure suppliers, contractors and team members are appropriately briefed on safety, emergency and incident management procedures.
Lead, motivate and develop the Venue management and operational teams.
Establish a positive, collaborative and high-performing Venue culture.
Work closely with the relevant teams on workforce planning, staffing structures and scheduling.
Support the planning and delivery of Venue team and host training.
Ensure all team members understand the Venue vision, client expectations and required service standards.
Oversee daily staffing levels, rotas and shift arrangements to ensure effective Venue coverage.
Lead or oversee management briefings and debriefings.
Ensure effective communication between management, operational teams, hosts, security, suppliers and contractors.
Provide support, coaching and direction to team members throughout the project.
Ensure the Venue team delivers an exceptional level of service to the client, guests and visitors.
Establish effective communication systems across the Venue operation.
Ensure relevant teams receive accurate and timely information.
Lead the preparation of client presentations, reports, operational documentation and management updates.
Ensure key decisions, actions and changes are clearly documented.
Maintain accurate contact lists, escalation matrices and operational reference materials.
Oversee the development of operations manuals, training materials and on-site reference documentation.
Ensure appropriate post-event reports and lessons learned documentation are completed.
Lead the Venue close-out process following the event.
Oversee supplier and contractor close-out.
Support final budget reconciliation and invoicing.
Lead post-event review and lessons learned activity relating to the Venue.
Prepare appropriate client and management reporting.
Ensure project documentation is appropriately completed and archived.
Identify recommendations and improvements that can be applied to future projects.
This is not an exhaustive list and all team members will be expected to contribute to any other aspects of the business, as necessary.