Vice President, Operations

Who We Are On Location is a global leader in premium experiential hospitality, offering ticketing, curated guest experiences, live event production and travel management across sports, entertainment, fashion and culture. On Location provides unrivaled access for corporate clients and fans looking for official, immersive experiences at marquee events, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games, FIFA World Cup 2026, Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, and more. An official partner and/or service provider to over 150 iconic rights holders, such as the IOC (the Milano Cortina 2026 and Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games), FIFA, NFL, NCAA, UFC, WWE, and PGA of America, the company also owns and operates a number of its own unique experiences. On Location is a subsidiary of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), a premium sports and entertainment company. TKO owns iconic properties including UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization; WWE, the global leader in sports entertainment; and PBR, the world’s premier bull riding organization. Together, these properties reach 1 billion households across 210 countries and territories and organize more than 500 live events year‑round, attracting more than three million fans. TKO also services and partners with major sports rights holders through IMG, an industry‑leading global sports marketing agency; and On Location, a global leader in premium experiential hospitality. Role Summary The Vice President, Event Production & Venue Operations is a senior leadership role responsible for setting the strategy, operating model, financial framework, and delivery approach for Event Production & Venue Operations across the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic hospitality program. This leader will ensure guests remain at the center of decision‑making, that the product is treated as an experience, and that operational choices are commercially sound, financially driven, and aligned to a premium hospitality vision. The role oversees venue operations, core central functions, and critical support functions across official hospitality delivery, while serving as the senior point of integration with Product, Commercial, Finance, Procurement, Legal, HR, venue partners, LA28/OCOG stakeholders, and external service providers. Essential Functions And Responsibilities Strategic Leadership and Department Ownership Lead the Event Production & Venue Operations function for LA28, defining the department’s structure, methodology, governance, and delivery model based on a proven Games‑time approach adapted for the scale of LA28. Establish the strategic framework for venue operations, production planning, guest experience delivery, and operational readiness across Olympic and Paralympic venues. Act as the senior escalation point for venue delivery, operational readiness, and Games‑time execution issues. Venue Operations and Hospitality Delivery Oversee the planning and management of the official hospitality program in competition venues, including OCOG integration and venue relationship management for in‑venue hospitality programs. Lead venue sourcing, rental and usage negotiations, and the planning and management of operations for off‑venue hospitality and special events. Oversee stakeholder programs including sponsor, partner, and NOC house activity, supporting projects from pitch through delivery across venue sourcing, production, and catering management as required. Ensure hospitality environments, guest touchpoints, and venue experiences reflect the desired story, product inclusions, feasibility, and operating model for each venue and program. Financial Management and Commercial Oversight Own event production and venue operations budgets across multiple venues and operational programs, with accountability for forecasting, staffing plans, budget controls, and assigned P&L performance. Partner closely with Finance and Commercial leaders to ensure decisions are driven by planning, forecasting, budgeting, data, revenue priorities, and volume assumptions. Identify and drive operational efficiencies, product pivots, and revenue‑supporting opportunities while maintaining premium service standards and delivery quality. Vendor Contracts, Procurement, and Operational Delivery Lead negotiation and strategic management of vendors, contractors, production partners, caterers, and venue delivery entities supporting hospitality operations and temporary venue infrastructure. Partner with the Procurement team and other corporate services functions to develop tenders, support vendor selection, and negotiate vendor contracts for critical delivery categories, including catering and related operational services. Oversee vendor performance, change orders, compliance, and risk management across all assigned scopes of responsibility. Ensure venue production timelines, installation schedules, readiness milestones, logistics, access control, and turnover processes are delivered successfully and in line with Olympic operating requirements. Cross‑Functional Integration Lead integration across venue operations, infrastructure, overlays, food and beverage, art and design, experience and entertainment, guest experience, logistics, workforce, security, and Paralympic planning functions. Serve as the key entry point for interaction between Event Production & Venue Operations and internal functional areas including Product & Commercial Strategy, Finance, Revenue and Marketing, Platinum Operations & Services, Hospitality Central Services, and Corporate Services. Partner with teams responsible for the hospitality look and feel, technical and overlay requirements, entertainment strategy, and guest journey design to deliver a cohesive, premium, and on‑brand experience. Leadership and Team Management Build, lead, and mentor a high‑performing Event Production & Venue Operations organization capable of delivering at Olympic and Paralympic Games scale. Provide leadership, direction, coaching, and performance management for Senior Directors, Directors, Venue Managers, and broader operational teams. Develop organizational structures, staffing strategies, team plans, deliverables, and timelines to support each stage of planning and delivery. Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, inclusion, and operational excellence. Stakeholder Management and Games‑Time Leadership Represent the function in executive meetings with LA28/OCOG leadership, venue authorities, municipalities, sponsors, broadcasters, rights holders, and external agencies. Provide executive reporting on budget status, delivery milestones, operational readiness, and venue progress. Support command‑center operations, issue escalation management, and venue leadership during Olympic and Paralympic operations, while ensuring Paralympic planning is integrated early and transitioned efficiently from the Olympic delivery model. Qualifications Required Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communications, Hospitality Management, Sports Management, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Minimum 15 years of experience leading complex event production, venue operations, hospitality programs, brand activations, and cross‑functional event teams. Strong financial management capability, including budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and performance oversight across large‑scale, multi‑venue programs. Demonstrated strength in vendor negotiations, stakeholder management, procurement partnership, and contract‑related delivery planning. Excellent communication, interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict‑resolution skills. Highly organized, process‑oriented, and able to remain effective in high‑pressure environments with multiple concurrent priorities. Fluent business English required. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat. Must reside in or be willing to relocate to Los Angeles, USA. Preferred Prior experience with large‑scale global sporting events, major hospitality programs, and venue‑based operations. Experience working with local vendor ecosystems and multi‑vendor delivery models across complex venue portfolios. Additional language skills are a plus. Flexibility and positive attitude to work long days, evenings, weekends, holidays, and key event periods as needed. Travel Must be adaptable with work and travel schedules and available for domestic and international travel, including holidays and key event periods. Other Duties This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or activities. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice. Company Overview On Location is a leader in premium experiential hospitality, delivering ticketing, curated hospitality, live event production, and travel programs for many of the world’s most iconic sports and entertainment properties, and is part of the TKO network. Hiring Rate Minimum $135,000 annually (minimum will not fall below the applicable State/local minimum salary thresholds) Hiring Rate Maximum $180,000 annually TKO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding non‑discrimination in employment. TKO makes employment decisions based on merit and qualifications, without considering an employee’s or applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited under federal, state or local laws governing non‑discrimination in employment in every location in which the Company has facilities. 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