Overview
The Senior Operations & Production Director will play a pivotal leadership role in the end-to-end delivery of high-profile Amex activations at NFL International games. This role will oversee the strategic planning, operational delivery, and production execution of multi-market experiential projects, ensuring best-in-class output that aligns with both brand and league expectations.
Working across international markets, this individual will lead large-scale project teams, manage significant budgets (£1.5M+ / $2M+), and act as a senior client partner – driving operational excellence while shaping compelling, culturally relevant fan experiences within the sports landscape.
Project Leadership & Delivery
- Lead the full lifecycle of large-scale activations from concept through to delivery, ensuring projects are executed on time, on budget, and to the highest standard
- Develop and oversee complex production plans, including schedules, run of show, logistics, staffing models, and site operations
- Ensure all event structures, infrastructure, and technical elements are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with local regulations across multiple markets
- Maintain a solutions-focused approach, proactively identifying risks, resolving challenges, and escalating where appropriate
Client Leadership & Strategic Partnership
- Build and maintain trusted senior-level relationships with the client and key stakeholders, acting as a strategic advisor throughout the project lifecycle
- Translate complex production and operational detail into clear, meaningful insight for clients, providing context on implications and opportunities
- Lead client conversations with confidence—structuring clear, compelling narratives and guiding decision-making toward desired outcomes
- Identify opportunities to add value and streamline processes
Budget & Commercial Management
- Own the development, management, and reconciliation of large-scale project budgets ($2M+), ensuring financial accuracy and delivery against targets
- Manage scope effectively, identifying and addressing scope creep while driving efficiencies
- Lead procurement conversations and negotiate with suppliers and stakeholders across multiple markets to ensure value and quality
- Provide clear budget oversight across teams, guiding junior staff on financial management and accountability
International & Operational Excellence
- Lead delivery across multiple international markets, ensuring consistency while adapting to local regulations, cultures, and operational nuances
- Conduct site visits and oversee on-the-ground delivery throughout the summer period
- Manage vendor ecosystems across production disciplines (staging, fabrication, AV, technical, logistics), ensuring alignment with agency standards
- Ensure robust health & safety planning and compliance across all markets
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, mentor, and inspire cross-functional teams, fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture
- Delegate effectively, clearly communicating expectations, timelines, and deliverables
- Provide guidance on complex challenges, while empowering team members to take ownership of their work
Creative & Strategic Contribution
- Contribute to the development of experiential strategies and production solutions that align with client objectives and elevate creative output
- Anticipate challenges and identify opportunities that have not yet been surfaced, bringing proactive thinking to the team and client
Core Competencies & Behaviours
- Exceptional ability to craft clear, compelling narratives and communications for both internal and external stakeholders
- Confident leader in client and internal discussions, able to guide conversations, influence outcomes, and adapt in real time
- Strong collaborator, open to input and diverse perspectives, with a team-first approach to problem solving
- Demonstrates calmness under pressure, maintaining performance and professionalism in fast-paced, high-stakes environments
- Proven ability to foresee and mitigate risks, course-correct where needed, and maintain momentum across complex projects
- Deep understanding of the sports and entertainment landscape, including stakeholder dynamics and commercial drivers
- Self-starter with strong initiative, capable of operating independently while knowing when to elevate issues
Requirements
- 10+ years’ experience in operations and production within experiential and sports industries
- Proven experience delivering large-scale, multi-market events and activations
- Demonstrated experience managing budgets in excess of $2M
- Strong expertise in event infrastructure, production delivery, and health & safety compliance
- Experience working internationally and adapting delivery across different markets
- Willingness and availability to travel extensively for site visits and on-the-ground delivery
- Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills
THE TEAM does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.
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