Senior Manager, Look of the Games

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance.

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The Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games will be hosted in Los Angeles, California in 2028, returning to the United States for the first time in over 30 years. 2028 will be the first time LA hosts the Paralympic Games, creating an opportunity to expand awareness, understanding and inclusion of people with disabilities.

LA28, the organizers for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, is on a mission to create an unparalleled Games experience for athletes, fans, partners, our community and our people. Our vision is to collectively create what’s next through sport, community and the power of our differences.

The 2028 Olympics and Paralympics will represent LA and leverage the strength of our community’s creativity as we collectively work to design a Games that we all want to be a part of. We do this by focusing on people and by inviting everyone into the story of the LA28 Games.

The LA28 organizing committee is an independent, non-profit organization that is privately funded and governed by a board of directors. 

Values and Behaviors:

• Optimism – Embody a positive, enthusiastic, and solution-oriented attitude in everything we do; challenge the status quo, inspire and support one another to achieve our best; have our eyes on the future and believe we can make a meaningful impact
• Integrity – We communicate openly and honestly, listen, and respectfully value multiple perspectives; we do what we say and are accountable for everything we do; we do the right thing, always. Even when it isn’t easy
• Excellence – We hold ourselves to the highest standard and expectations; we live our values and truths and persevere through challenges; we are continuous learners and adapt and pivot with speed to meet changing needs
• Inclusion – We seek to represent, include, empower and level the playing field; our work reflects the communities we serve and the world in which we live; we leverage our platforms to bring awareness to issues relevant to who we are
• Co-Creation – We are authors of a shared story. Everyone contributes their unique voice to our shared mission; we share pride in our accomplishments and ownership of our shortcomings
• Boldness – We embrace creativity, courage and outside-the-box thinking; we are unafraid to take risks, explore unconventional solutions, and learn from the process; we are innovators, disruptors, and challengers of the status quo

Senior Manager, Look of the Games

Since winning the bid to host the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, LA28 has been redefining expectations with a bold and innovative brand. The Senior Manager, Look of the Games, will join the next phase of this journey, bringing the LA28 brand to life in venues and on the field of play, throughout Los Angeles, and beyond.    

This role requires deep expertise in environmental graphic design for large scale events. The Senior Manager, Look of the Games will play a key role in developing an inspiring brand experience for fans and athletes, whether attending in person or watching remotely. They will navigate complex stakeholders’ needs to continue the development of field-of-play and venue designs that highlight athletes, engage audiences, and meet international standards.  
 
The Senior Manager, Look of the Games, will consult on the development and delivery of innovative creative applications across print, and other mediums to achieve a cohesive brand vision in the LA28 venues. They will lead a team of internal Venue Look Managers and provide strategic directions to the team to develop and deliver complex venue Look plans. Strong communication, leadership and relationship-building skills will be essential to align diverse stakeholders around the creative vision and drive enthusiasm as the program evolves.   

Reporting to the Senior Director, Look and Signage, the Senior Manager, Look of the Games will collaborate closely with the Senior Director, and leaders across various departments including Venues & Infrastructure, Sport, Sport Presentation, Broadcast, Marketing & Digital Media, Commercial and Consumer Products, Sustainability, and Finance to develop and manage the strategy for the LA28 Look of the Games at competition and non-competition venues.    

This position is a rare opportunity for a leader in environmental graphic design, to contribute to the largest sporting event in the world. The ideal candidate will bring leadership, expertise, and project planning to shape the visual identity of a global brand with deep historical significance. 

Key Responsibilities:

Design Leadership 

• Work with the in-house design team to advance the development of the Look Kit of Parts, and the venue design strategy   
• Provide clear and constructive feedback during internal design reviews to ensure creative work aligns with briefs and delivers on objectives 
• Lead internal design reviews and provide clear and objective critiques of creative output and how it delivers on or falls short of the brief   

Team Building 

• Recruit and develop best-in-class talent to grow an internal team responsible for managing the development and application of the Look of the Games
• Supervise a team of Look Venue Managers, providing guidance, removing barriers, and ensuring successful execution at individual venues
• Provide strong vision and leadership to a team who will be working to tight timelines
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and professional growth among team members 

Vendor & Partner Management 

• Identify leading partner agencies to support the scoping and application of Look of the Games
• Participate actively in the recruitment and tender process of Look of the Games suppliers 

Strategic Planning & Execution 

• Consult on and implement the roadmap that ensures the timely delivery of all projects from concept to installation
• Anticipate and address environmental, economic, technological, and social changes to optimize the Look of the Games program
• Be a champion for the LA28 Look of the Games program throughout the organization 

Stakeholder Alignment 

• Align and coordinate requirements with key internal and external stakeholders, including Sport, International Federations, Olympic Broadcasting Service, Press, Venues & Infrastructure, city officials, vendors, and LA28 executives
• Maintain an active dialogue with the Senior Director, Look and Signage as well as the IOC and IPC regarding the Look of the Games progress and milestones 

Innovation & Sustainability 

• Proactively identify opportunities for innovation in approach, materials, and processes to improve efficiency, enhance sustainability, and optimize budgets
• Work with the sustainability team to identify and track sustainability goals
• Operate at a highly visible strategic level, managing a growing team, and strict deadlines 

Leadership & Management 

• Provide strong leadership to the team including listening and actioning concerns
• Operate at a highly visible strategic level, managing a growing team, and strict deadlines 

Background & Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in design, architecture, live sporting events or related field--with oversight for large-scale project planning and development, system building, budget management, and project delivery
• Compelling portfolio of distinctive work in large scale environmental graphic branding projects
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy, and high standards for quality and finishing 
• Demonstrated record of on-time and on-budget delivery of major projects 
• Games, mega-event, or venue design planning and delivery experience is an asset 
• Understanding of an event Look scope development, materials, systems, production, and installation methods.  Including developing a scoping strategy and rolling that out to a team
• Ability to translate broad design vision into clear guidelines and detailed Kit of Parts
• Able to read and summarize construction drawings, aerial photos, and contour mapping to produce actionable guidance and direction 
• Experience building and nurturing a diverse team 
• Experience leading partner agencies and vendors through scoping and delivery 
• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work across all functions and at all levels of the organization, including outside partners, venue owners/representatives, and suppliers
• Excellent organization, time-management, administrative, and computer skills    

Position Requirements:

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions   

• Candidates should expect a 4-5-day workweek, primarily based in the LA28 Los Angeles office 
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer are required  
• May involve standing and walking at events or venues 
• Ability to lift and carry light materials (such as marketing collateral) as needed  
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as necessary, particularly leading up to key campaigns and milestone events

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in project management, sports marketing or related field 

Expectations:

• Innovative Approach – Ability to identify opportunities, develop new ideas and execute on concepts while managing to a budget and fixed timelines 
• Influencing Skills - Ability to drive organizational alignment through collaboration.  Positive attitude – ability to prioritize and process stress to keep the team positive through difficult times.  
• Flexible Approach – Ability to roll with the transitional nature of the organization as it grows and establishes itself over the next 3 years
• Challenger Mindset – Inclination to drive ongoing improvement in people and process 
• Digital Acumen – Fluency in established digital design tools and practices coupled with an understanding of emerging technologies and how and when to engage them  

Submission Requirements:

• Resume

 

The annual base salary range for this position is $115,000.00 - $130,000.00. 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.

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LA28 is committed to operating 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. We strive to build a team that is diverse, inclusive and encourages qualified candidates of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities to apply. We will consider all qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with local law. We assess applications based on relevant skills, education, and experience a candidate can add to our team.