Director, Operations & Shared Services in London

We’re looking for an experienced and highly organised Director, Event Operations & Shared Services to lead the core operational services that support the delivery of our global event portfolio.

The role will bring together Athlete Services, Logistics & Procurement, Travel and Hospitality under one operational lead, ensuring each function has clear processes, effective planning and consistent standards across events. As well as line managing the teams responsible for these areas, you’ll remain close to delivery and be able to step into each function when required.

Reporting to our Senior Director, Events, this is a hands‑on leadership role focused on making our shared event operations increasingly efficient, scalable and commercially effective as our calendar grows.

Key Role Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Operational Delivery

• Serve as a key strategic partner to the Senior Director, Events, providing high-level operational leadership across all global event planning and execution.
• Drive overarching event delivery strategies, cross-departmental alignment, and senior‑level operational decision‑making across the event portfolio.
• Deputise for the Senior Director, Events where required across strategic planning meetings, venue oversight, and major live event operations.

Team & Shared Services Leadership

• Lead day‑to‑day management of Ops Athlete Services Executives, Logistics & Procurement Manager, and Travel & Hospitality Manager.
• Ensure clarity of priorities, and standard operating procedures across all functional areas.
• Maintain cross‑functional operational knowledge to provide hands‑on support and coverage as needed.
• Standardise and optimise shared operational processes across the global event portfolio.

Logistics & Procurement

• Oversee global event logistics, including shipping, local warehousing, and asset management.
• Implement procurement and inventory workflows for athlete and event collateral (medals, apparel, swim caps, branding).
• Partner with the Senior Director, Events on supplier RFPs and negotiations to optimise cost and service quality.
• Create and maintain a global inventory system for full tracking of operational assets across events.

Athlete Services – Event Operations

• Manage the Ops Athlete Services team for on‑site registration and athlete support.
• Coordinate event staffing assignments and enforce consistent on‑site delivery standards.
• Collaborate with Membership to align pre‑event athlete communication, FAQs with on‑site execution.
• Work with Marketing to ensure athlete guides and course announcements reflect operational details.

Travel & Hospitality

• Oversee travel policies, budgets, and execution for staff and vendors with HR support.
• Manage supplier RFPs for travel partners covering flights, lodging, and logistics.
• Direct event hospitality planning, managing VIP budgets, forecasts, and service standards.
• Develop uniform VIP guides, ticketing processes, and event‑by‑event hospitality plans.
• Build commercial VIP and travel packages integrated with race‑day experiences and lodging.

Who We’re Looking For

• 8+ years of operations or large‑scale event management experience within sports, entertainment, or fast‑paced corporate environments.
• Proven expertise in planning, logistics, travel, and on‑site delivery for complex, global event portfolios.
• Strong cross‑functional management skills to guide functional leads, cross‑train teams, and align internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage supplier RFPs, contract negotiations, procurement workflows, and hospitality budgets.
• Skilled in creating SOPs, inventory systems, and repeatable operational frameworks that scale across events.
• Quick to adopt new software, management tools, and live data workflows with a proactive, growth‑oriented mindset.
• High level of accuracy, organisational rigour, and hands‑on execution under tight deadlines.
• The opportunity to change the sport of triathlon and build something you can be really proud of.
• Flat working environment and a get‑things‑done company culture.
• Private health insurance through Vitality, including wellness benefits and more.
• 25 days holiday + Christmas break.
• Flexible Working Structure.
• Enhanced parental leave.
• Company share option scheme to drive ownership ability and allow financial participation in company success.
• Complimentary / discounted T100 event entries for employees, friends and family.
• Free snacks, drinks, gym classes, open water swim credits and more.

The PTO Values: The EDGE we seek

• Entrepreneur at Heart: A ‘Doer’ who thinks and acts like a founder, driving impact and pushing boundaries to achieve key results. You like getting ‘stuck in’ and making sure that great ideas come to life and deliver real change.
• Dynamic Innovator: An adaptable individual who thrives in fast paced environments, seeking new opportunities to drive progress.
• Growth Mindset: Embraces challenges as opportunities, bouncing back stronger from every setback. There is nothing you can’t do if you apply yourself fully.
• Equality of voice: A. Team. Player. Able to inspire and motivate others, bringing energy, innovation, and a can‑do attitude to our startup environment.

Inclusive Employer

Here at PTO we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity of thought, background, and experience, enhances creativity, innovation, and a more dynamic working environment that delivers better results.

We’re an equal opportunities employer and positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, or belief. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and fostering an inclusive culture where all employees are respected and valued.

Join our team at PTO, where your unique perspectives and contributions will be celebrated, and your career can thrive in an inclusive and supportive environment. We look forward to welcoming you to our dynamic team.

The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) an entity co‑owned by professional athletes, seeking to take the sport to the next level. Our mission is simple:

To celebrate the sport of triathlon.

We want to showcase the passion, talents, determination, struggles and achievements of the world’s ultimate athletes who compete at the highest levels of the sport to inspire all to join and grow this community we love.

#J-18808-Ljbffr