Account Director - Venue(s) (Global Sporting Event)

Account Director - Venue(s) (Global Sporting Event)* Act as the senior day-to-day client lead for all matters relating to the Venue.* Build and maintain a trusted, collaborative and solutions-focused relationship with key client stakeholders.* Develop a thorough understanding of the client's objectives, priorities and expectations and ensure these are reflected throughout Venue planning and delivery.* Lead client meetings, presentations, project reviews and operational updates.* Provide clear and proactive communication regarding project progress, key milestones, risks, decisions and opportunities.* Provide considered advice and recommendations to the client and proactively identify solutions to challenges as they arise.* Manage client expectations and ensure agreed deliverables, scope and service standards are maintained.* Work closely with Creative Services, Production and senior leadership team on key decisions, escalations and strategic matters.* Identify opportunities to enhance the client experience and add value throughout the project.* Take overall ownership of the planning, readiness and operational delivery of the Venue.* Lead the Venue project team throughout planning, build, live operations, breakdown and project close.* Act as the primary Venue contact for iLUKA senior management.* Establish clear roles, responsibilities, communication channels and ways of working across the Venue team.* Ensure all Venue operations are delivered in accordance with agreed operational plans, procedures and service standards.* Lead Venue readiness reviews and ensure outstanding actions are appropriately managed and closed.* Establish appropriate Venue reporting and escalation processes.* Ensure accurate and timely reporting to senior management and the client.* Oversee the production and distribution of Venue run sheets, operating plans and other critical operational documentation.* Ensure the Venue is appropriately opened, operated and closed each day in accordance with agreed procedures.* Provide calm, visible and decisive senior leadership throughout live operations.* Own the overall Venue project plan and ensure key milestones, dependencies and deadlines are understood and achieved.* Lead the development of detailed Venue operational plans and supporting documentation.* Coordinate closely with Creative Services, Production, project management, hospitality, operations, technology, security, logistics and other relevant workstreams.* Ensure effective coordination between internal teams, external suppliers, contractors and Venue stakeholders.* Oversee Venue preparation, handover, build, operational readiness and breakdown.* Ensure project documentation is accurate, current and appropriately distributed.* Lead the development and implementation of Venue contingency plans.* Ensure changes to scope, programme or operational requirements are identified, assessed and communicated appropriately.* Support wider client projects where required.* Provide senior oversight of all third-party suppliers and contractors supporting the Venue.* Lead or support supplier procurement, negotiation, appointment and contracting as required.* Establish clear supplier scopes, responsibilities, service standards and reporting lines.* Ensure suppliers are appropriately onboarded, briefed and managed.* Maintain strong working relationships with key suppliers and Venue partners.* Monitor supplier performance and address any areas of concern or non-performance.* Ensure all contractors and suppliers understand relevant operational, emergency, health and safety and security procedures.* Coordinate supplier site access, deliveries, installation, servicing and breakdown requirements.* Ensure supplier performance supports the overall client and guest experience.* Take senior responsibility for the smooth and effective day-to-day operation of the Venue.* Ensure the Venue delivers consistently against the agreed operations plan and client expectations.* Maintain oversight of guest and visitor flows, capacity and dwell times to ensure a safe and positive experience.* Oversee crowd management and queuing arrangements where required.* Act as a senior escalation point for operational issues and incidents.* Ensure appropriate contingency plans are implemented rapidly where operational disruption occurs.* Coordinate responses to technology, IT, infrastructure or service failures to minimise disruption to the client and guest experience.* Ensure the Venue is maintained to a consistently high standard throughout live operations.* Oversee Venue maintenance, cleaning, waste management, catering replenishment and other operational services.* Coordinate ad hoc Venue logistics, deliveries and operational requirements.* Ensure daily Venue briefings and debriefs are effective and that relevant information is communicated across all teams.* Maintain senior oversight of operational risk across the Venue.* Ensure Venue risks are identified, assessed, managed and escalated appropriately.* Ensure Venue activity complies with relevant health and safety requirements and agreed project procedures.* Maintain oversight of incident reporting and ensure appropriate follow-up actions are implemented.* Ensure emergency, evacuation, first aid and medical procedures are understood across the Venue team.* Coordinate the implementation of emergency and evacuation procedures should they be required.* Work closely with security leads to ensure the agreed security profile is maintained throughout operations.* Ensure suppliers, contractors and team members are appropriately briefed on safety, emergency and incident management procedures.* Strong supplier and client relationship skills.* Strong budgeting and financial management skills.* Excellent event management experience.* Major Events, Olympic or World Cup experience highly preferable.* Strong leadership skills.* Excellent ability to communicate effectively and build strong working relationships.* Excellent project planning and timeline management skills.* Capable of managing multiple workstreams and priorities simultaneously.* Strong operational and Venue management experience.* Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.* Strong risk management capability.* Excellent IT skills, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint.* Confident using different platforms, systems and devices.* Fluent in English.* Additional language skills may be required depending on the project.* First Aid and Fire Marshal training preferable.* High energy, comfortable working potentially long hours in a demanding but rewarding and friendly environment* Flexible, enthusiastic, confident, outgoing* Willing to roll sleeves up and get involved* Passionate about sport, hospitality and delivery* Able to work in a calm, kind and professional manner in a pressured environment* Ability to prioritise a demanding workloadAI disclaimerThis application process may use AI-enabled systems to support candidate evaluation based on factors such as experience, technical skills, and qualifications. All processing is carried out in accordance with applicable data protection, AI governance, and labour laws. Human oversight is maintained at all stages, and final hiring decisions are made by people. Personal data submitted as part of this application is not used to train AI models. #J-18808-Ljbffr