Manager, Event & Venue Management

Manager, Event & Venue Management

The Event and Venue Management (EVM) team is responsible for leading the integrated operational planning and operations at the venue level for all competition venues as well as some non-competition venues. At Games Time, the Event and Venue Management team leads and manages the event teams at venues, event delivery, venue communication, and venue issue resolution.

The Manager, Event & Venue Management Manager will be responsible for supporting the operational planning and delivery within a group of competition venues for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. They will also drive cross-functional operational integration and be an integral part of the venue team at Games-time. The role will require significant stakeholder management and major large-scale venue planning and operational delivery experience.

This role reports initially to the Head of Venues & Sports and eventually to a specific venue's Event General Manager.

Key Responsibilities:

Planning & Readiness Phase

• Plans cluster's venues and takes responsibilities for running select meetings, facilitating FA conversation.
• Collaborates with assigned FAs in negotiation of operational solutions during planning.
• Documents event operational plans, creating clarity and alignment across the venue.
• Accountable for delivery of the EVM planning processes for assigned venues, ensuring milestones and deliverables are achieved.
• Drives integration across FAs, resolving cross-functional issues and managing operational risks to ensure plans are aligned and ready for implementation.
• Manages select portions of the planning and delivery of test events for assigned venues, ensuring operational plans are validated and refined ahead of Games-time.
• Manages stakeholder site visits and service level planning with all assigned stakeholders.
• Supports the onboarding and training of the EVM team.
• Develops policies, procedures and other operational documents and tools using centrally provided templates and guidelines.
• Provides input into emergency management and other safety-related plans as required.
• Manage select EVM cluster team members.

Operational Phase

• Manages BOH operations across assigned client groups and spaces, including Press, Broadcast, and Games Family, ensuring operations and services are delivered in line with agreed plans, policies and procedures.
• Maintains oversight of client areas, ensuring spaces are operational and maintain throughout Games-time.
• Leads venue walkthroughs, ensuring accreditation and access control points are correctly implemented and operating as planned.
• Leads coordination of cross-functional issue resolution impacting BOH operations, escalating to the EGM where required.
• Ensures effective delivery of client operations, including arrivals, access, and in-venue requirements.
• Coordinates with Workforce and FA leads to ensure appropriate staffing plans are in place to support operations.
• Manages and supports direct reports, ensuring clear direction and effective delivery of responsibilities.
• Serve as a proxy for the EGM/Deputy EGM as required, coordinating venue-wide operations and maintaining continuity within the venue command structure.

Background & Requirements:

• Minimum 5+ years of experience working in relevant roles in the venue or event management industry, working on major Games delivery, or major event properties, or event production companies.
• Proven track record of planning and delivery of large-scale, complex event operations across multiple project phases including planning, readiness, and operation.
• Past Games experience is a plus
• Skill working with executives and building cross-functional partnerships and influencing stakeholders across multiple functional areas
• Experience managing diverse, high-performing teams
• Negotiation skills and diplomacy in balancing competing interests
• Experience working within a complex, cross-functional organization
• Strong communication skills both written and oral
• Ability to identify issues, analyze problems, and think creatively and innovatively to develop solutions-based approaches
• Experience creating, developing, and refining business process and structure
• Extremely detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills
• High EQ and strong interpersonal skills with a proven track record as a relationship builder
• A high energy level, entrepreneurial spirit, and the ability to manage through a period of growth and change
• Demonstrated commitment to co-creation and collaborative decision making

Expectations:

• Strategic thinker and tactical operator – Ability to translate strategic plans into effective and efficient operational delivery as well as ability to prioritize
• Leadership – Ability to manage and motivate a diverse team
• Innovative Approach – Ability to identify opportunities, develop new ideas, and execute on creative concepts while managing to a budget and fixed timelines
• Self-starter – Takes initiative to identify challenges, gathering inputs from key stakeholders, makes quick decisions, and resolves challenges proactively
• Demonstrate a collaborative and flexible approach, adept at navigating the transitional nature of the organization's growth, and swiftly adapting to changing priorities and requirements with a can-do attitude.
• Autonomous agility – Work effectively and independently in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Influencing skills – Ability to communicate information, drive understanding, alignment and buy-in across stakeholders and the organization
• Team player – Contribute to a collaborative diverse team environment and work closely with cross-functional teams to achieve objectives
• Problem solver – ability to identify issues and develop effective solutions that meet stakeholder needs
• Fluent working with Office suite products including Microsoft Excel and Power-Point
• Excitement for the role and opportunity to help shape the future of Los Angeles and the Olympic and Paralympic Movement

Education:

• Bachelor's degree required or equivalent work experience

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• The position is in Los Angeles with in-person attendance required.
• The majority of work will be conducted in an office setting, requiring extended periods of time using computers, phones, and other office equipment
• Ability to travel occasionally to different venues across the Los Angeles region and possibly outside the Greater Los Angeles region
• The LA28 office is an open floorplan working environment; employees must be able to work efficiently in an open cubicle environment.
• Hours of work may vary, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, especially during peak event periods.

The annual base salary range for this position is $88,000-$108,000 . The pay scale provided is the range that LA28 reasonably expects to pay as starting base compensation for this role. All LA28 compensation remains subject to final determination based on individual candidate qualifications, experience, or other reasonable criteria consistent with LA28's operational business needs and applicable law.

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance.

LA28 is committed to fair and unbiased recruitment procedures allowing all applicants an equal opportunity for employment, free from discrimination on the basis of religion, race, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, color, ethnic or national origin, or any other classification as may be protected by applicable law. LA28 will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance and all applicable laws. We strive to build a team that is inclusive and encourage qualified candidates of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities to apply. We assess applications based on relevant skills, education, and experience a candidate can add to our team.