Regional Director

About the Role

The Regional Director represents The IRONMAN Group within assigned markets and leads a team of Operations Managers and Race Directors to deliver world-class IRONMAN events. Reporting to the MD, North America & World Championship Events, the role is accountable for safe event execution, athlete experience outcomes, financial results, and the regional P&L. It also oversees compliance, risk management, operational delivery, and business development for the region. The role requires building trusted community relationships and supporting talent development across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities

Define and execute the regional strategy aligned with global objectives, driving operational excellence and continuous improvement.
Ensure safe, high-quality event execution across the region, overseeing compliance with technical standards, procedures, and risk management protocols.
Own the regional P&L, including budgeting and forecasting; monitor financial performance and implement cost-optimization strategies while partnering with Finance and Marketing on course capacity and sales targets.
Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team, modelling IRONMAN's BE ICONIC behaviours and fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Identify and pursue opportunities for new events, acquisitions, and renewals in partnership with business development stakeholders to support the long-range plan.
Own the region's event safety strategy and readiness, ensure compliance with permits, medical/EMS plans and incident reporting, and lead critical-incident response and debriefs.
Build and maintain trusted relationships with local communities, authorities, athletes, clubs, coaches, volunteers, businesses, and civic partners, engaging them year-round in planning and storytelling.
Navigate local political and civic environments with sound judgment, identifying risks and escalating emerging issues to protect permits, partnerships, and community trust.
Partner with global teams (Marketing, Athlete Services, Sponsorship, Medical, Security, Communications) to ensure seamless event delivery and act as primary liaison between regional operations and corporate leadership.
Drive performance against regional KPIs including athlete experience (NPS/CSAT), EBITDA vs budget, on-time milestone delivery, compliance readiness, and stakeholder/community relationship health.
Required Experience & Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Business, Sports Management or a related field.
Strong operational acumen and ability to understand complex event operations, safety, permitting, logistics, and delivery requirements.
Proven track record in P&L management and strategic planning.
Strong leadership skills with experience managing multi-site teams.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management abilities.
Passion for endurance sports and commitment to delivering exceptional athlete experiences.
Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships across the endurance sport community, including athletes, clubs, coaches, volunteers, host cities, local businesses, and civic/public safety partners.
Ability to move, position, transport, and install materials and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
Ability to perform manual handling tasks including bending, stooping, twisting, and reaching during event setup, breakdown, and onsite operations.
Ability to stay stationary or move around event sites for extended periods, including long event days, outdoor conditions, and uneven surfaces.
Ability to work in indoor and outdoor venues in varying weather conditions.
Ability to operate or assist with basic event equipment and tools as required.
Willingness to work extended days and travel while attending assigned onsite events.
Preferred Skills

Master's degree in Business, Sports Management, or a related field.
Direct operational role experience is beneficial but not required if the candidate demonstrates strong judgment, learning agility, and the ability to lead operational teams effectively.
Experience partnering with municipalities and public safety agencies (permitting, traffic plans, medical/EMS, security) and leading event-day incident escalation.
About the Company

The IRONMAN Group is the world's largest operator of mass participation sports, delivering over 200+ events a year across 55+ countries. The company says its purpose is to empower over a million athletes to cross a finish line each year and inspire a billion people through the power of the human spirit. Through its BE ICONIC vision, it builds brands, produces events, and fosters engaged communities that change lives.

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