Operations Director

We are Strata! Imagine being part of a fast and exciting brand experience agency whose clients include specialists in new technology, creators of some of the most stunning electric vehicles on the planet, financial institutions, and global leaders in pharmaceutical solutions. As an agency, we elevate these brands and make them heard through immersive and memorable virtual and face-to-face experiences. As a people-first business, we encourage ambition, support and reward. We’re always listening and open to your ideas, just as we do with our clients. Our name? It’s Strata, an agency on a mission to be the very best. This means we always want to hear from the very best creative and intelligent souls who genuinely believe that every moment matters.

The Operations Director is responsible for leading Strata's delivery function day-to-day, ensuring exceptional execution across all projects, events, activations and experiences delivered by Strata. This is a hands-on operational leadership role: the Operations Director works directly with Strata's delivery leads, producers and project teams to establish and maintain best-in-class delivery standards, governance, health and safety, and risk management within Strata. The Operations Director will build the systems, processes and culture required to ensure every Strata project is delivered safely, profitably, consistently and to the highest quality standards. The Operations Director oversees Strata's resourcing function, working closely with the Resourcing Manager to ensure resource planning and crewing decisions are made in lockstep with delivery priorities and project profitability.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor and develop Strata's delivery leads, producers and operational team members. Oversee resourcing across Strata, working closely with the Resourcing Manager to set clear objectives and hold the function accountable for accuracy, speed and cost control. Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement. Set clear objectives, performance standards and development plans for the delivery team. Act as the senior escalation point for delivery-related challenges and critical issues within Strata.
• Delivery Excellence: Define and implement a consistent delivery methodology for Strata. Establish best practice frameworks, standards and governance for project delivery. Drive operational consistency while maintaining flexibility for different client and project requirements. Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, quality and profitability. Ensure lessons learned are captured and embedded across the team.
• Operational Governance: Own the overall health and performance of Strata's delivery portfolio. Establish project review and assurance processes. Monitor project performance, resource utilisation and operational effectiveness. Implement clear reporting and visibility of delivery performance. Support business planning, resource forecasting and operational scalability for Strata. Oversee the resourcing function, working with the Resourcing Manager to maintain accurate forecasting, timely crewing and clear visibility of resource availability across all live and upcoming projects.
• Health, Safety & Risk Management: Champion a culture where health and safety is non-negotiable. Ensure robust health and safety processes, compliance standards and governance are maintained. Lead risk management and mitigation strategies across all Strata delivery activities. Oversee incident management, investigations and corrective actions. Ensure supplier and contractor compliance with company standards.
• Crisis Management: Act as the senior operational lead during critical incidents and project escalations within Strata. Maintain crisis response and business continuity plans for Strata's delivery activities. Lead resolution of significant delivery challenges impacting clients, projects or reputation. Ensure effective communication and decision-making during high-pressure situations.
• Quality Assurance: Establish and maintain quality standards across Strata's delivery team. Implement quality assurance reviews and delivery audits. Monitor client feedback and delivery performance metrics. Drive continuous improvements in client experience and project outcomes. Ensure consistency in execution regardless of project size or team.
• Commercial Performance: Support the delivery team in achieving profitable project outcomes. Improve operational efficiency and resource utilisation, working with the Resourcing Manager to balance cost, availability and delivery quality. Work closely with Client Services, Finance and Commercial teams to ensure effective delivery planning. Contribute to Strata's operational scalability and growth plans.

Key Measures of Success

• Consistent delivery performance across Strata projects.
• Improved project profitability and operational efficiency.
• Strong health and safety compliance and reduced operational risk.
• High levels of client satisfaction and repeat business.
• Reduced project escalations and operational issues.
• Accurate, timely resourcing decisions that keep crewing costs and project margins on track.
• Improved engagement, capability and retention within the delivery team.
• Strata's delivery function prepared to scale in line with business growth.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the below experience:

• Significant senior leadership experience within events, experiential marketing, live experiences, production or a related project-based environment.
• Proven track record of leading large delivery teams through multiple layers of management.
• Experience implementing operational frameworks, governance and delivery methodologies.
• Strong understanding of health and safety, risk management and compliance within live environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects, programmes and operational challenges.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of project profitability.
• Experience within a fast-growth or acquisitive business.
• Experience integrating teams, processes and cultures across multiple business units.
• Formal project management, operational excellence or health and safety qualifications.

Personal Attributes

• Calm and decisive under pressure.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Highly organised and process oriented.
• Pragmatic problem solver.
• Commercially minded.
• Exceptional communicator.
• Passionate about developing people and building high-performing teams.
• Driven by operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Employee Benefits

• 25 days annual leave, plus usual Bank Holidays
• Birthday day off
• Private Health Insurance*
• Workplace pension scheme
• Death in service scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Hybrid working arrangement
• Regular social events

*Upon successful completion of a 6-month probation period

Our Principles

• We are a people-first brand experience agency with a set of core principles that guide our every action by measuring:
• A win for the client: Client success is at the forefront of everything we do. We measure our success by the impact we make for our clients. We strive to exceed your expectations, delivering moments that matter with results that matter.
• A win for the company: We believe in long-term partnerships and sustainable growth. When your business prospers, so does ours. Our commitment to excellence and innovation means we’re always ahead of the curve, offering you the best brand experiences.
• A win for the team: Our team is the lifeblood of our agency. We celebrate diversity, promote collaboration, and foster an inclusive culture where every team member feels valued and empowered. When our team thrives, their passion and dedication is reflected in everything we deliver.
• A win for you: Whether you’re engaging us for your events, already fostering a career at Strata, or considering one, our goal is to create a win for you. We’re dedicated to providing our employees with an enriching workplace that supports their growth and well-being. For our clients, a win means achieving your objectives and making your brand shine.
• A win for the planet: We are committed to making environmentally responsible choices in our work. We recognise our responsibility to minimise our impact on the planet and contribute to a sustainable future. From eco-friendly event practices to conscious resource management, we aim to create events that are a win for the environment.

Diversity at Strata

At Strata, people are at the heart of who we are. We recognise and value the diverse and unique perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds that each individual brings. We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels respected, heard, valued, and empowered. We strive to create an innovative, creative, and inclusive environment where all employees and applicants can thrive. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Recruitment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, and business needs. Embracing diversity isn't just our goal, it's our strength, driving us towards a more inclusive future. At Strata, we are proud to be a Disability Confident employer, committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace where everyone can thrive. We actively promote equal opportunities and support individuals with disabilities throughout their careers. As part of our recruitment process, we encourage candidates to let us know if they require any reasonable adjustments - our team is committed to ensuring a fair, supportive, and inclusive experience from application through to employment.