Senior Manager, Experiential Ops and Production

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.