Senior Director, Operations - Ceremonies and Games Launch

LA28 (Web)•Los Angeles, CA

3h•$145,000 - $190,000

About The Position

The Senior Director, Operations - Ceremonies and Games Launch will orchestrate, drive and ensure the integration of internal LA28 teams working closely with the Co-Create LA (CCLA) Ceremonies team to ensure a holistic LA28 operating plan is planned seamlessly with the show production. With visibility across all Functional Areas that are impacted or are dependent for ceremonies delivery, the incumbent in this role is an operationally and delivery orientated leader responsible for orchestrating cross-functional alignment, driving integrated planning, and ensuring flawless delivery across all elements of the four ceremonies. This role acts as the central connection between internal teams and will be responsible for leading the LA28 operating plan to support CCLA and the ceremonies production. Through influence, considered communication, and negotiation, they will acquire and operationalize resources for ceremonies operational support. This role will be empowered to make decisions and escalate matters of misalignment that cannot be resolved at the FA/Stakeholder level. Building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external teams is essential for this position, as is a strong presence and voice within LA28. This collaborative role requires expert project management skills, a diplomatic and proactive communication style, and a deep understanding of operational integration across functions such as event management, communications, protocol, security, guest experience, logistics, etc.

Requirements

10+ years of live-event management and/or live sport operations at a leadership level
Significant knowledge of mega event management, coordination and integration of multiple stakeholders into a project plan
Experience in cross-function program/project management, event operations, large-scale production integration in a high-stakes environment
Strong understanding of ceremonies complexity and how to integrate into organization
Proven track record leading complex cross-functional initiatives from planning to execution
Exceptional leadership and influence skills to be able to credibly reach across multiple stakeholders at all levels to impact outcomes
Decisive and confident in advising and taking decisions as needed
Exceptional problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills
Exceptional communication and influence skills, with experience preparing and delivering briefings to executive-level stakeholders
Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-pressure, deadline-driven environment with multiple stakeholders
Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent work experience

Nice To Haves

Ideally outstanding knowledge across Olympic & Paralympic Games Ceremonies delivery, especially operations

Responsibilities

Lead the integration of internal LA28 and Olympic & Paralympic Movement resources to ensure that CCLA and the Ceremonies team are supported with the optimum cross functional operating plan
Act as the empowered conduit and bridge between LA28 operational planning team, and its associated functions with CCLA integration touchpoints. Acts as a ceremonies advocate within LA28 as and when needed but also seek to compromise and address challenges raised. Ensures two-way communication is effective, so the right people are informed at the right time between production and operations
Oversee the ceremonies operating plan at a city-wide level (e.g. transport, protocol, arrivals and departures) and align at a venue level (e.g. ticketing, athletes’ movements, security, venue approach)
Lead the planning of all guest group flows to/from ceremonies and ensure the highest/appropriate levels of service are delivered by LA28 Functional Areas and supporting partners
Lead the internal Event Operational Planning process for the LA28 functions’ delivery in all opening and closing ceremonies
Support the high-level transition planning to/from ceremonies/sport before/after the opening and closing ceremonies to ensure delivered on time
Activate internal plans, budget, and resources not directly captured as part of ceremonies, to deliver on the project plan, which sit within responsibilities of LA28 Functional Areas
Partner with Functional Areas and procurement to provide oversight of the contracts in their area, ensuring compliance with contractual terms, monitoring of contract performance, managing risks associated with the contract and maintaining relationships with suppliers
Integrate and coordinate with the Planning and Programs team to ensure functional operating plans are advancing the speed and quality required
Coordinate with the central Program Management Office (PMO) to align Ceremonies timelines with broader Games-wide operational milestones
Work alongside the Operational Readiness team to ensure the ceremonies’ dress rehearsals are scoped to maximize operational plans testing (in addition to the show creative and production)
Implement agile workflows, dashboards, and reporting tools to provide transparency and accountability across FAs, external stakeholders and to/from CCLA
Act as the point of intersection and advisory to external LA28 stakeholders including International Olympic Committee (IOC)/ International Paralympic Committee (IPC)/ Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS)/NBC/ United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) for ceremonies LA28 operational matters. Works to gain alignment but navigates and influences these resources to resolve any points of misalignment