Senior Manager, Wayfinding & Signage

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, Wayfinding & Signage

The Senior Manager, Wayfinding and Signage will lead the strategic planning, scoping, and execution of the Wayfinding and Signage program at LA28.  Reporting to the Senior Director, Look and Signage the Senior Manager, Wayfinding and Signage will ensure that the temporary venue signage enhances venue navigation, supports client groups, and contributes to the overall event experience. The ideal candidate will have at least five years of experience in signage management, with a strong preference for individuals who have worked in international sporting events and games. 

This position requires expertise in developing signage strategies, identifying key client groups, and planning venue wayfinding to optimize movement and accessibility. The Senior Manager, Signage, will be responsible for creating the signage plan and strategy, then communicating it effectively to a team of Signage Venue Managers, who will scope and deliver their own venues. Team leadership is a key aspect of this role, ensuring that venue managers receive the support needed to execute their responsibilities effectively. 

The Signage Manager will oversee the development of the signage kit of parts and sign family, consulting on these critical documents to ensure consistency and clarity. Collaboration with other departments is essential, as they will contribute to the signage plan and provide input based on their specific needs. Client expectation management will also be an important function, ensuring seamless integration of signage into venue operations. 

In addition to strategic planning and execution, this role requires problem-solving abilities, including removing bureaucratic obstacles and operational challenges that may hinder successful delivery. The Signage Manager must be highly responsive, a strong communicator, and an effective motivator who can keep the team engaged and productive in a high-stress, fast-paced environment with tight timelines. 

This position also involves developing and rolling out a Functional Area signage plan, outlining how signage will support the needs of different departments and ensuring a cohesive approach across all venues. 

This position is a rare opportunity for a leader in temporary signage systems to contribute to the largest sporting event in the world. The ideal candidate will bring vision, expertise, and creativity to shape the visual identity of a global brand with deep historical significance.  

Key Responsibilities:

Design Leadership 

• Consult on the design direction and development of the LA28 Wayfinding and Signage Kit of Parts and Wayfinding and Signage strategy
• Design and develop the FA Signage strategy and oversee it’s delivery
• 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 Wayfinding and Signage
• Supervise a team of Signage 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 the LA28 Wayfinding and Signage program
• Participate actively in the recruitment and tender process of Wayfinding and Signage 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 Wayfinding and Signage program
• Be a champion for the LA28 Wayfinding and Signage program throughout the organization
• Ensure signage meets accessibility standards, making it inclusive for all attendees, including wheelchair users and individuals with visual impairments. This includes considerations such as text size, font legibility, contrast for colorblind individuals, and placement strategies that promote easy navigation for all guests 

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 Wayfinding and Signage 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 the field of temporary signage
• 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 event Wayfinding and Signage scope, 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 graphic design, architecture 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
• 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.