Operations Director, Exhibitions in Surrey

The Director, Operations, will ensure that the Technical Production and Exhibition Project Management teams are effectively reviewing best practices, new developments, issues, challenges, and system or process updates. Responsibilities include:

• Implementing and overseeing training and onboarding of new team members.
• Ensuring team members complete post-show evaluations and financial reconciliations efficiently and effectively.
• Adhering to all IXM policies accurately and efficiently, and identifying efficiencies in process and system.
• Developing, mentoring, and coaching all direct reports with weekly and monthly progress and development plan discussions.
• Overseeing the development, mentoring, and coaching of the wider team.
• Working with the Associate Director, Talent Management, to monitor development plans for all team members, considering current skills analysis, training needs analysis, and individual aspirations.
• Leading the recruitment process, interviewing, and selecting new team members.
• Providing consistent leadership, motivation, and direction to all team members.
• Ensuring operations teams consistently share best practice and deliver to Impact-XM standards.
• Managing direct report holidays and lieu days.
• Overseeing wider team holidays and lieu days.
• Contributing to the overall vision and strategic planning for the exhibition program, aligning operational goals with the organization’s mission and financial objectives.
• Developing, implementing, and continually refining cross-departmental policies and procedures for end-to-end exhibition management (proposal to de-installation).
• Creating and maintaining the definitive master schedule for all exhibitions and related events, ensuring milestones are met and deadlines respected.
• Identifying potential financial, safety, logistical risks and developing contingency and emergency plans.
• Hiring, training, mentoring, and supervising operations staff to foster a collaborative and high-performing work environment.
• Serving as the key liaison and project leader, ensuring effective communication and coordination between functions.

Qualifications

• Desired education: a Bachelor’s degree (BA or BSc) in a relevant field.
• Minimum 10-15+ years in the live event and exhibition industry or equivalent experience successfully executing projects and programs and/or training.
• Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, write routine reports, and communicate effectively before customer or employee groups.
• Ability to solve practical problems and handle varied variables in situations with limited standardization; interpreting instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Passion for working with people and a client‑centric mindset.
• Proficiency in structural mechanics with the ability to read and interpret blueprint drawings.
• Thrives in an entrepreneurial and independent environment.
• Embodies flexibility, open‑mindedness, and receptivity.
• Proactive in finding solutions.
• Collaborative and values teamwork.
• Strong communication skills – presenting, writing proposals, quotations, letters, and maintaining accurate client and project files.
• Excellent rapport building with existing and prospective clients.
• Solid business sense.
• Multi‑tasking, selling, and operating under severe time constraints and immovable deadlines; good organization, detail, and follow‑up skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Experience with CRM systems is an asset.
• Familiarity with show rules and regulations related to exhibit designs.
• Knowledge of production materials and their utilization in exhibit production.
• Willingness and flexibility to work extended hours when required.