Senior Director, Operations - Ceremonies and Games Launch

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance.

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LA28 is the independent, non-profit, privately funded organizing committee for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We are on a singular mission to create an Olympic and Paralympic Games that celebrate all that this city and country have to offer, delivering an unparalleled experience for athletes, fans, partners and our community.  

The 2028 Games mark the return of the Summer Games to the U.S. for the first time in 32 years and Los Angeles’ third time hosting an Olympic Games and first time welcoming the Paralympic Games. This presents the unique and exciting opportunity to celebrate our legacy with the Games and push the Olympic and Paralympic Movements forward, writing a new chapter of Games history in Los Angeles.  

Putting on an Olympic and Paralympic Games is a team sport. To build a Games unlike any the world has seen before, we need the best team in place–a team full of diverse perspectives, experiences and expertise. We are guided by the following set of values and behaviors–optimism, integrity, excellence, inclusion, co-creation and boldness–and look forward to hearing about how your past experiences align with them.

Senior Director, Operations - Ceremonies and Games Launch

The Senior Director, Operations - Ceremonies and Games Launch will orchestrate, drive and ensure the integration of internal LA28 teams working closely with the Co-Create LA (CCLA) Ceremonies team to ensure a holistic LA28 operating plan is planned seamlessly with the show production.  

With visibility across all Functional Areas that are impacted or are dependent for ceremonies delivery, the incumbent in this role is an operationally and delivery orientated leader responsible for orchestrating cross-functional alignment, driving integrated planning, and ensuring flawless delivery across all elements of the four ceremonies. This role acts as the central connection between internal teams and will be responsible for leading the LA28 operating plan to support CCLA and the ceremonies production.  

Through influence, considered communication, and negotiation, they will acquire and operationalize resources for ceremonies operational support.  This role will be empowered to make decisions and escalate matters of misalignment that cannot be resolved at the FA/Stakeholder level.     

Building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external teams is essential for this position, as is a strong presence and voice within LA28. This collaborative role requires expert project management skills, a diplomatic and proactive communication style, and a deep understanding of operational integration across functions such as event management, communications, protocol, security, guest experience, logistics, etc.  

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the integration of internal LA28 and Olympic & Paralympic Movement resources to ensure that CCLA and the Ceremonies team are supported with the optimum cross functional operating plan
• Act as the empowered conduit and bridge between LA28 operational planning team, and its associated functions with CCLA integration touchpoints. Acts as a ceremonies advocate within LA28 as and when needed but also seek to compromise and address challenges raised. Ensures two-way communication is effective, so the right people are informed at the right time between production and operations
• Oversee the ceremonies operating plan at a city-wide level (e.g. transport, protocol, arrivals and departures) and align at a venue level (e.g. ticketing, athletes’ movements, security, venue approach)
• Lead the planning of all guest group flows to/from ceremonies and ensure the highest/appropriate levels of service are delivered by LA28 Functional Areas and supporting partners
• Lead the internal Event Operational Planning process for the LA28 functions’ delivery in all opening and closing ceremonies
• Support the high-level transition planning to/from ceremonies/sport before/after the opening and closing ceremonies to ensure delivered on time
• Activate internal plans, budget, and resources not directly captured as part of ceremonies, to deliver on the project plan, which sit within responsibilities of LA28 Functional Areas
• Partner with Functional Areas and procurement to provide oversight of the contracts in their area, ensuring compliance with contractual terms, monitoring of contract performance, managing risks associated with the contract and maintaining relationships with suppliers
• Integrate and coordinate with the Planning and Programs team to ensure functional operating plans are advancing the speed and quality required
• Coordinate with the central Program Management Office (PMO) to align Ceremonies timelines with broader Games-wide operational milestones
• Work alongside the Operational Readiness team to ensure the ceremonies’ dress rehearsals are scoped to maximize operational plans testing (in addition to the show creative and production)
• Implement agile workflows, dashboards, and reporting tools to provide transparency and accountability across FAs, external stakeholders and to/from CCLA
• Act as the point of intersection and advisory to external LA28 stakeholders including International Olympic Committee (IOC)/ International Paralympic Committee (IPC)/ Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS)/NBC/ United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC)