Venue Group Director

The Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games will be hosted in Los Angeles, California in 2028, returning to the United States for the first time in over 30 years. 2028 will be the first time LA hosts the Paralympic Games, creating an opportunity to expand awareness, understanding and inclusion of people with disabilities.

LA28, the organizers for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, is on a mission to create an unparalleled Games experience for athletes, fans, partners, our community and our people. Our vision is to collectively create what's next through sport, community and the power of our differences.

The 2028 Olympics and Paralympics will represent LA and leverage the strength of our community's diversity and creativity as we collectively work to design a Games that we all want to be a part of. We do this by focusing on people and by inviting everyone into the story of the LA28 Games.

The LA28 organizing committee is an independent, non-profit organization that is privately funded and governed by a board of directors. 

Our Vision is to collectively create what's next by harnessing sport, community and the power of our differences. Our Mission is to create an unparalleled Paralympic and Olympic Games for athletes, fans, partners, our community and our people.

• Optimism - Embody a positive, enthusiastic, and solution-oriented attitude in everything we do; challenge the status quo, inspire and support one another to achieve our best; have our eyes on the future and believe we can make a meaningful impact
• Integrity - We communicate openly and honestly, listen, and respectfully value multiple perspectives; we do what we say and are accountable for everything we do; we do the right thing, always. Even when it isn't easy
• Excellence - We hold ourselves to the highest standard and expectations; we live our values and truths and persevere through challenges; we are continuous learners and adapt and pivot with speed to meet changing needs
• Inclusion - We seek to represent, include, empower and level the playing field; our work reflects the communities we serve and the world in which we live; we leverage our platforms to bring awareness to issues relevant to who we are
• Co-Creation - We are authors of a shared story. Everyone contributes their unique voice to our shared mission; we share pride in our accomplishments and ownership of our shortcomings
• Boldness - We embrace creativity, courage and outside-the-box thinking; we are unafraid to take risks, explore unconventional solutions, and learn from the process; we are innovators, disruptors, and challengers of the status quo

Working in close collaboration with all venue-related functional areas, the Venue Management team is responsible for managing and integrating the operational planning and event delivery for all Games competition and non-competition venues (including the Olympic & Paralympic Village).  As part of that process, the team is also responsible for managing all venue partner relationships and for leading the negotiation process for all venue use agreements.  In addition, the team is responsible for the planning and delivery of both venue event services and cleaning & waste.  The Venue Management team is one of several key operating areas (including Venue Infrastructure, Games Operations, and Games Delivery Revenue) that make up the Games Planning & Delivery group.

Reporting to the VP, Venue Management & Event Delivery, and as a key member of the Venue Management leadership team, each Venue Group Director will be responsible for leading the operational planning and delivery for a group of competition venue clusters.  They will also play a lead role in negotiating venue use agreements, driving cross-functional operational integration, and leading venue teams at Games-time.  The role will require significant stakeholder management and major event planning and operational delivery experience. 

• Collaborating cross-functionally, lead the development, optimization, and delivery of venue-based Event Operations plans for a designated group of competition venues.
• Build strong, productive, and respectful relationships with venue partners and related stakeholders. Act as the day-today venue leadership contact with designated venue partners.
• Work cross-functionally to ensure an efficient and effective engagement process with venue partners including managing meeting cadence, stakeholder site visits, venue planning, and operational readiness.
• Working closely with other Venue Management leaders, as well as the legal and finance teams, play a lead role in managing the negotiations for the venue use agreements with venue partners.
• Develop and review agreement drafts, identify and resolve business & operational issues, and liaise with the legal team on revisions.
• Develop, refine, and manage venue operating budgets clearly identifying risks, developing risk mitigation strategies, and leveraging opportunities for creating efficiencies and savings.
• Hire, train, motivate, and lead diverse, high-performing venue teams capable of developing and executing venue operations plans efficiently and effectively.
• Collaborate with the readiness functional area to design and develop a comprehensive testing and readiness plan across all designated venues.
• Prepare and deliver written and oral reports on venue agreement and operating planning status to senior leaders and other stakeholders as required.
• Support the development of the venue concept of operations, venue operating templates, the establishment of venue policies and procedures and other operational planning tools.
• Support the development of lifetime business plans including defining scope, resourcing plans, work-planning, budget development and stakeholder management.
• Ensure DEIB principles are integrated into all aspects of venue operations planning and execution, fostering an inclusive environment for both internal teams and external partners. This includes actively seeking opportunities to engage with and support BIPOC and underserved communities in venue-related initiatives, with a focus on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the event planning process.

• Minimum 10 years of experience (preferably with at least 4 years in a leadership position) working in relevant roles in the sports and/or event management industry working on major Games delivery, or major event properties, or event production companies.
• Proven track record of leading the planning and delivery of large-scale, complex event operations across multiple project phases including contract negotiation, planning, readiness, and operation.
• Past Games experience is a plus
• Skill working with senior executives and building cross-functional partnerships and influencing stakeholders across multiple functional areas
• Experience building and leading diverse, high-performing teams
• Experience reviewing and negotiating contracts associated with sporting and/or entertainment events including venue hire and event operations
• Negotiation skills and diplomacy in balancing competing interests
• Experience working within a complex, cross-functional organization
• Strong communication skills both written and oral
• Ability to identify issues, analyze problems, and think creatively and innovatively to develop solutions-based approaches
• Experience creating, developing, and refining business process and structure
• Extremely detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills
• High EQ and strong interpersonal skills with a proven track record as a relationship builder
• A high energy level, entrepreneurial spirit, and the ability to manage through a period of growth and change
• Demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)

• Strategic thinker and tactical operator - Ability to translate strategic plans into effective and efficient operational delivery
• Leadership - Ability to build, lead and motivate a diverse team
• Innovative Approach - Ability to identify opportunities, develop new ideas, and execute on creative concepts while managing to a budget and fixed timelines
• Self-starter - Takes initiative to identify challenges, gathering inputs from key stakeholders, makes quick decisions, and resolves challenges proactively
• Demonstrate a collaborative and flexible approach, adept at navigating the transitional nature of the organization's growth, and swiftly adapting to changing priorities and requirements with a can-do attitude.
• Autonomous agility - Work effectively and independently in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Influencing skills - Ability to communicate information, drive understanding, alignment and buy-in across stakeholders and the organization
• Team player - Contribute to a collaborative diverse team environment and work closely with cross-functional teams to achieve objectives
• Problem solver - ability to identify issues and develop effective solutions that meet stakeholder needs
• Fluent working with Office suite products including Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
• Excitement for the role and opportunity to help shape the future of Los Angeles and the Olympic and Paralympic Movement

• Bachelor's degree required or equivalent work experience

• Resume

The annual base salary range for this position is $135,000.00 - $170,000.00. The pay scale provided is the range that LA28 reasonably expects to pay as starting base compensation for this role. All LA28 compensation remains subject to final determination based on individual candidate qualifications, experience, or other reasonable criteria consistent with LA28's operational business needs and applicable law.

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance.

LA28 is committed to operating fair and unbiased recruitment procedures allowing all applicants an equal opportunity for employment, free from discrimination on the basis of religion, race, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, color, ethnic or national origin, or any other classification as may be protected by applicable law. We strive to build a team that is diverse, inclusive and encourages qualified candidates of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities to apply. We will consider all qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with local law. We assess applications based on relevant skills, education, and experience a candidate can add to our team.