Senior Director Ceremonies Integration

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance.

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 Ceremonies Integration:

The Sr Director of Ceremonies Integration will operationally support the integration of internal and external LA28 stakeholders working to ensure a holistic operating plan is planned seamlessly with the show production.

With visibility across all Functional Areas (FAs) that are dependent on ceremonies, 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 in concert with the Head of Ceremonies Integration to facilitate the connection between internal teams, external partners and executive stakeholders and will drive decisions for the best outcome for the Co-Create Los Angeles (CCLA) team.

Through influence, considered communication and negotiation, they will support the acquisition and operationalization of resources for ceremonies.

Building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external teams is essential for this position, as is a strong presence and voice within the organization. This collaborative role which 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:

• Support the integration of internal LA28 and Olympic & Paralympic Movement resources to ensure that CCLA and the Ceremonies team has the optimum operational efficiency, while delivering on unique strategic needs.
• Serve as a conduit between CCLA and the FAs of LA28. Ensure two-way communication is effective, so the right people are informed at the right time between production and operations.
• Support in overseeing the ceremonies operating plan at a city-wide level (e.g. transport, protocol, arrivals and departures) and at a venue level supporting the show production (e.g. ticketing, athletes staging, security).
• 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 Event Operational Planning process for the LA28 functions’ delivery in all opening and closing ceremonies
• Orchestrate the high-level transition planning to/from ceremonies/sport before/after the opening and closing ceremonies to ensure delivered on time.
• Identify and activate internal plans, budget, and resources not directly captured as part of ceremonies but that sit within responsibilities of LA28 Functional Areas, to deliver on the project plan
• 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.

Background & Requirements:

• Minimum 10+ years of live-event management at a leadership level. 
• Significant knowledge of mega event management, coordination and integration of multiple stakeholders into a project plan
• Experience in cross-function program/project management, event operations, large-scale production integration in a high-stakes environment.
• Strong understanding of ceremonies complexity and how to integrate into organization
• Proven track record leading complex cross-functional initiatives from planning to execution.
• Exceptional leadership and influence skills to be able to credibly reach across multiple stakeholders at all levels to impact outcomes.
• Decisive and confident in advising and taking decisions as needed
• Exceptional problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional communication and influence skills, with experience preparing and delivering briefings to executive-level stakeholders.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-pressure, deadline-driven environment with multiple stakeholders.
• Ideally outstanding knowledge across Olympic & Paralympic Games Ceremonies delivery, especially operations.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent work experience 

The annual base salary range for this position is $145,000.00 - $210,000.00. The pay scale provided is the range that LA28 reasonably expects to pay as starting base compensation for this role. All LA28 compensation remains subject to final determination based on individual candidate qualifications, experience, or other reasonable criteria consistent with LA28’s operational business needs and applicable law.

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance.

LA28 is committed to fair and unbiased recruitment procedures allowing all applicants an equal opportunity for employment, free from discrimination on the basis of religion, race, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, color, ethnic or national origin, or any other classification as may be protected by applicable law. LA28 will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance and all applicable laws. We strive to build a team that is inclusive and encourage qualified candidates of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities to apply. We assess applications based on relevant skills, education, and experience a candidate can add to our team.