VP of Operations

Our client, a fast-growing and highly entrepreneurial organization in the events and experiential space, is seeking a VP of Operations to join their leadership team in Nashville, TN. This transformational leadership role will be responsible for driving operational excellence, building scalable infrastructure, leading cross-functional teams, and positioning the organization for significant future growth and expansion.

Duties:

• Lead end-to-end business operations across a growing, multi-functional organization.
• Develop and implement operational strategies that improve efficiency, accountability, and scalability.
• Drive process improvement initiatives and establish performance metrics across teams.
• Build, mentor, and develop high-performing operational leadership teams.
• Partner closely with executive leadership to support strategic growth initiatives and organizational objectives.
• Lead operational readiness for expansion into new markets and regions.
• Oversee vendor relationships, contract negotiations, and operational partnerships.
• Champion the adoption of emerging technologies and AI-driven solutions to improve operational effectiveness.
• Establish KPIs, reporting frameworks, and accountability measures to drive business performance.
• Ensure operational excellence while maintaining a strong culture and exceptional client experience.
• Manage operational budgets, forecasting, resource allocation, and profitability initiatives.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Finance, Marketing, Client Services, and Production teams.

Requirements:

• 10+ years of senior-level operations leadership experience.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
• Experience leading large, cross-functional teams and driving organizational transformation.
• Demonstrated P&L ownership and financial leadership experience.
• Proven success scaling operations across multiple locations, business units, or geographies.
• Experience implementing operational processes, performance management frameworks, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Working knowledge of AI tools and enthusiasm for leveraging technology to improve business operations.
• Experience within events, experiential marketing, entertainment, production, hospitality, or other complex service environments preferred.

Title: VP of Operations
Location: Nashville, TN (Hybrid)
Type of Role: Direct Hire
Compensation: $140k-150k salary

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual’s skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company’s 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products.