Senior Director, Operations

Sportfive

• $125K — $140K *
Hospitality & Recreation
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10-12+ years in sports marketing, experiential event management, or corporate hospitality.
  • Proven experience leading corporate hospitality programs for Olympic and Paralympic Games.
  • Extensive knowledge of technology platforms like guest management systems and ticketing.
  • Experience managing client relationships, vendors, budgets, and cross-functional teams.
  • Demonstrated success in managing large budgets and complex vendor negotiations.
  • Exceptional executive presence and calm demeanor in high-pressure environments.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the primary client lead for Olympic and Paralympic operational programs.
  • Oversee custom on-the-ground business programs, including ticketing and accommodations.
  • Conduct strategic check-ins and relationship health reviews with clients.
  • Manage agency networks, venue operators, and logistics vendors for seamless delivery.
  • Lead operational strategy and implementation for Games-time programs.
  • Oversee a team across integrated operational deliverables.
  • Manage compliance, contract execution, and budget forecasting.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Affordable employee medical premiums starting at $30.90 per month.
  • 10 vacation days per year, increasing with seniority, plus 20 paid holidays.
  • 401(k) plan with matching contributions up to $4,000 per year.
Full Job Description
Job Title: Senior Director, Operations

Reports To: VP, Olympics & Major Events, Brand Solutions

Primary Work Location: United States | Remote eligible

Team and Job Overview

The Senior Director is responsible for overseeing the operational strategy, client engagement, and Games-time delivery of a partner's Olympic and Paralympic programs. The Senior Director will connect strategic account leadership with day-to-day execution, ensuring that client objectives, guest experience, vendor coordination, budget management, and cross-functional delivery are aligned from planning through Games-time operations.

Essential Job Responsibilities
  • Serve as the day-to-day client lead for Olympic and Paralympic business and operational programs.
  • Oversee and manage custom on the ground business programs (including ticketing, accommodations, accreditation, operations) with overarching brand and marketing goals.
  • Conduct on-going strategic check-ins, executive briefings, and relationship health reviews with client.
  • Oversee agency (and client) networks, venue operators, and third-party logistics vendors to ensure seamless delivery.
  • Lead end-to-end operational strategy and implementation for Games-time on the ground programs.
  • Oversee and manage a team across integrated operational deliverables across all on the ground programs.
  • Manage compliance, contract execution, and approval processes under agency and client guidelines.
  • Manage multi-million-dollar program budget(s), forecasting, financial reconciliation, and progress reporting.
  • Lead, mentor, and direct cross-functional internal teams spanning operations, creative, project management, client consulting, and finance.

Other Duties & Responsibilities
  • Travel for site visits to client headquarters and to Los Angeles.
  • Develop executive-ready presentations, reports, and documentation using Microsoft Office applications, including PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
  • Organize, maintain, and manage SharePoint content and team resources.
  • Update and maintain templates, tools, and operational documentation as needed.
  • Prepare weekly status reports and executive updates for client and agency leadership.
  • Attend meetings, capture key discussions, document action items, and track follow-up activities.
  • Participate in brainstorming sessions, conducting research and providing creative ideas and solutions.
  • Perform additional administrative and operational duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
  • 10-12+ years in sports marketing, experiential event management, and/or corporate hospitality.
  • Proven experience leading high-level corporate hospitality programs including past Olympic and Paralympic Games.
  • Extensive experience in working across various technology platforms i.e. guest management systems, ticketing, etc.
  • Experience managing client relationships, vendors, budgets, and cross-functional teams.
  • Demonstrated success managing large budgets, financial forecasting, and complex vendor negotiations.
  • Exceptional executive presence, calm demeanor under high-pressure Games-time environments, and strong cross-functional leadership.
  • Trusted relationship management.
  • Growth mindset.
  • Strong written and verbal communication.

Job Requirements
  • Must be able travel approximately 25% of the time for client and/or property meetings for planning purposes.
  • Must be available to work outside of standard business hours during major events and/or priority client projects (i.e. evenings, weekends)
  • Must be onsite for the LA28 Olympics and Paralympics Games (min of 30 days)
  • Must be able to lift up to 20 lbs and stand for extended periods of time.

Our Hiring Process: Every application is reviewed by a real person. We do not use AI to screen or make decisions on candidates. Because we give each submission genuine consideration, response times may vary. Because we cannot communicate with each applicant individually on the status of their resumes, we use automated emails to keep applicants updated. Thank you for your interest in joining SPORTFIVE.
Compensation

Salary Range: $125,000 - $140,000

SPORTFIVE is providing the compensation range it might pay for this position. The rate of pay offered will be dependent on the successful applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities in addition to internal equity and geographic location.

BenefitsWorking atSPORTFIVE provides a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision and retirement savings.
Affordable employee medical premiums starting at $30.90 per month (highest deductible) to $165.77 per month (lowest deductible).
Employees start at 10 vacation days per year (increasing with seniority) plus 20 paid holidays.
401(k) with matching up to $4,000 per year.

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