Job Description: The Associate Director, Site Operations is a full-time exempt position with Kilowatt Events, Inc. This role is responsible for directly managing and advising a team of Operations Managers, as well as leading the operational advance and execution of assigned complex live events, with an emphasis on event infrastructure, construction, and site mapping. It requires exceptional communication skills, strong live-event operational expertise, and a deep understanding of the unique challenges of nontraditional venues, temporary event sites, outdoor environments, and large public-facing events.
This position reports to the Director, Events and is responsible for taking the lead on strategic decision-making to create exceptional events and environments for our staff, clients, vendors, and Kilowatt.
Location and Benefits:Preference given to candidates located in San Diego. If the selected candidate is located in San Diego county, that employee is expected to work in office a minimum of 2 days per week as allowed by travel schedules. If the selected candidate is located outside of San Diego county, they must have a minimum of 8 days in-office working sessions per year (costs covered by Kilowatt) and agree to remote-office environment guidelines. Health benefits will be provided after 60 days.
Essential Functions:Team Leadership & Oversight- Lead, mentor, and support the Operations Team, ensuring alignment across all projects.
- Provide regular touchpoints, clear communication, and accountability to maintain efficiency and consistency in event execution.
- Provide strategic guidance on event operations, advising teams on best practices and troubleshooting challenges. Step in on high-priority or at-risk projects as needed to ensure smooth execution.
- Collaborate with Director, Events on full-time employee event assignments.
Pre-planning and Post-event Reconciliation- Oversee the full scope of production for assigned events including sourcing suppliers, populating orders, and managing onsite execution. Suppliers include, but not limited to, scaffolding, tenting, power, heavy equipment, internet, staging, carpentry, fence, and utilities.
- Ensure events comply with all legal, permitting, and regulatory requirements (i.e. city ordinances, safety codes, union rules).
- Serve as primary point of contact and coordinate communications, in a timely, positive, and efficient manner for client team, production and operations vendors, sponsor operations, event staff, venues, and key event stakeholders.
- Create event staffing plans for the advance and onsite execution.
- Work closely with all event stakeholders to garner a holistic understanding of goals to ensure success.
- Create and track event budgets, manage billbacks, reconcile invoices, and ensure overall alignment throughout planning and execution with projected costs.
Event Layout & Design- Create event layouts and floor plans, utilizing software such as CAD or VectorWorks. Prior experience with VectorWorks is a requirement.
- Collaborate with the design and production teams to ensure event spaces are optimized for attendee flow, accessibility, and safety.
- Create plans for access point for vehicles, staff, and fans that contemplates the needs of the events and the requirements for security, accessibility and emergency support
Process Optimization & Systems Implementation- Regularly identify inefficiencies and collaborate with the Director, Events to implement systems to streamline event operations.
- Ensure platforms, tools, and workflows are optimized to support the team's needs while keeping costs efficient.
- Ensure that staff assignments support the company and staff objectives, project workflows are clear, and event logistics are executed at the highest.
- Maintain vendor order templates and implement SOPs for best vendor and event practices.
Client & Vendor Management- Support and strengthen relationships with key vendors, venues, stakeholders, contractors and partners to enhance operational efficiency.
- Identify new business opportunities and support Sales Team in RFPs and proposals as needed.
- Provide operational oversight on vendor contracts, negotiations, and logistics.
Professional Development- Continuously work on professional development to stay current on trends, research, technology, and networking opportunities relevant to events and self-development.
- Contribute to creative ideation and event design by collaborating on concepts for opening ceremonies, experiential activations, or fan experiences.
Cross-Departmental Support- Assumes additional responsibilities as needed, such as project managing or event production, dependent on event calendar and business needs.
Health and Safety- Ensure adherence to industry regulations, safety standards, and risk mitigation strategies across all event operations.
Qualifications:
1. 8+ years working in the event industry.
2. 5+ years onsite event experience in site operations on major
outdoor events,
temporary event sites, and/or
televised broadcasts.
3. Ability to travel frequently and for extended durations (up to 2-3 weeks at a time).
4. Construction experience building temporary structures for event settings.
5. Proficiency in CAD or VectorWorks.
6. Heavy equipment experience with forklifts and aerial lifts (certification will be required).
7. Strong computer literacy required - Microsoft Office Suite preferred.
8. The ability to manage multiple projects and tasks at one time in a highly organized and clearly communicated way.
9. A desire to troubleshoot and problem solve with a strong ability to think critically.
10. 3+ Professional References required.
The annual base salary range for this position is $105,000 - $110,000, plus commission, benefits, and bonus. All Kilowatt Events compensation remains subject to final determination based on individual candidate qualifications, experience, or other reasonable criteria consistent with Kilowatt Events' operational business needs and applicable law.
Job Questions:
- Are you 18 years of age or older?
- Are you legally allowed to work in the U.S.?
- Do you have previous experience in CAD or VectorWorks?
- Do you have at least 3 years experience in operations on major outdoor events and/or temporary event sites?
