Title: Director of Operations

Type: FT, Direct Hire

Location: Orange County, CA

Client: Production Company 

Summary

The Director of Operations is responsible for managing all event setup, teardown, and venue conversion activities. This role ensures the venues managed by client are physically and operationally prepared for a wide range of events including concerts, sports, family shows, corporate functions, and community festivals.

The Director leads a crew of full-time and part-time conversion and operations staff and contractors, oversees day-to-day venue operations, and implements systems and SOPs for efficiency, inventory control, fiscal oversight, high-quality presentations, and safety compliance. 

Qualifications

• Minimum 7–10 years of experience managing large-scale events with proven operational leadership.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with Asana, When I Work, and Momentous preferred.

• Strong organizational and decision-making skills with ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.

• Excellent interpersonal and client-facing communication skills.

• Highly professional, self-motivated, and discreet with ability to manage sensitive information.

Event Conversion & Setup Execution

• Act as the “Manager on Duty” during events, providing hands-on direction, supporting rapid issue resolution, and mentoring other managers.

• Serve as a communication bridge between departments to ensure alignment across planning, execution, and follow-up.

• Plan and manage all physical venue and event setup/teardown including chairs, tables, staging, furnishings, and equipment.

• Manage labor deployment for conversion crews, ensuring timely and safe execution of changeovers.

• Develop detailed conversion plans, floor diagrams, setup timelines, and crew task assignments.

• Make sound, time-sensitive decisions independently during high-pressure event scenarios.

• Create comprehensive event logistics plans, including CAD layouts, power/IT/water plans, labor deployments, and production timelines for multiple events simultaneously.

• Oversee vendor move-in/out and service contractors (fencing, IT, lighting, staging, decorators, foodservice, retail, sponsors, attractions, etc.).

• Lead installation and removal of signage, maintaining a real-time signage inventory.

• Participate in planning meetings and client/venue presentations, ensuring alignment and clear communication.

Venue Operations & Maintenance

• Source and manage procurement of event equipment, materials, and operational supplies.

• Leverage event management tools such as When I Work, Asana, and Momentous to streamline planning, logistics, and reporting.

• Lead departmental change management initiatives to enhance efficiency, safety, and service quality.

• Ensure compliance with ADA, NFPA 101, and public assembly best practices.

• Analyze labor utilization, guest service scores, and safety incidents, and present findings to leadership with recommendations.

Inventory & Equipment Control

• Maintain inventory controls across multiple storage/operations locations.

• Ensure proper organization, labeling, storage, and tracking of all equipment.

• Oversee cleaning and repair of equipment to maintain quality standards.

• Manage delivery receiving and transfer of client-related materials.

Safety, Risk Management & Compliance

• Develop and implement safety training and mitigation protocols.

• Ensure OSHA compliance and workplace safety standards are consistently upheld.

• Oversee operation of heavy equipment (trucks, forklifts, lifts) ensuring certifications and SOPs are enforced.

• Ensure compliance with fire permits, emergency access, signage, extinguishers, and fuel/electrical safety.

• Partner with HR on workers’ compensation and injury procedures.

• Analyze safety incidents and implement corrective measures.

Budgeting & Financial Oversight

• Create, approve, and reconcile labor and equipment budgets.

• Establish and track KPIs for operational effectiveness, guest experience, and inventory usage.

• Partner with Finance to review labor/equipment/contractor expenses against budgets.

• Manage department budgets and provide monthly reports to senior management.

• Ensure timely reconciliation and reporting of event-related expenditures.

• Oversee systems that monitor loss, damage, and equipment lifecycles.

• Enforce compliance with timekeeping, payroll accuracy, and labor policies.

Business Development & Client Relations

• Collaborate with internal departments to align operational planning with client goals and revenue opportunities.

• Maintain strong client, venue, and partner relationships to support ongoing and new business.

• Ensure timely follow-up with clients and prospects within one business day.

• Address client and guest concerns with professionalism and solution-oriented focus.