Director, Village Planning and Coordination

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.

Director, Planning and Coordination

The Director of Planning & Coordination will lead the strategic planning, coordination, and operational readiness of the Olympic and Paralympic Villages for the Los Angeles 2028 Games, reporting to the Head of Village Management.  This role oversees the Village Planning & Coordination team and is responsible for ensuring the seamless integration of all Village services with Games-wide operations. The Director will guide the development and execution of operational plans, manage cross-functional collaboration, and ensure alignment with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and internal delivery standards.  

This position leads multidisciplinary area responsible for Operational Planning, Communication, Transition to Paralympic Games, Readiness, Knowledge Management, Training, and Handover. In the early stages of team development, the Director will provide hands-on support across these domains, helping to shape foundational processes and build specialized capabilities within the team.  

The ideal candidate is a strategic leader with deep experience in complex project environments, exceptional communication skills, and a passion for delivering inclusive, athlete-centered experiences.  

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Head of Village Management in strategic planning, coordination, and execution of key initiatives across the Olympic and Paralympic Villages. 
• Establish close collaboration with key internal and external stakeholders, including but not limited to Logistics, Finance, Procurement, Accreditation, Planning & Coordination, People Management, Event Services, City Operations, and external partners, to ensure integrated and efficient delivery of Village services. 
• Lead the strategic planning of all Olympic and Paralympic Village operations, ensuring alignment with the rest of the Village units and Games-wide delivery plans.  
• Oversee the development and implementation of operational plans, timelines, and documentation across all Village units.  
• Establish and manage tracking systems (e.g., Smartsheet, Microsoft tools) to monitor progress, risks, and dependencies across planning workstreams.  
• Provide executive-level reporting and updates on Village milestones, deliverables, and readiness status.  
• Develop budgets, procurement strategies, and project plans, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.  
• Lead the planning and execution of Games Readiness activities, including simulations, exercises, and operational testing.  
• Oversee the implementation of Knowledge Management systems and ensure documentation of learnings and best practices.  
• Direct the Transition to Paralympic Games, ensuring continuity of services and operational adjustments between phases. 
• Oversee the design and delivery of training programs for Village staff and volunteers supporting the rest of the Village units in cascading the Games educational process. 
• Lead Handover planning, ensuring smooth transfer of responsibilities and documentation to future stakeholders.  
• Represent the Village department in cross-functional leadership forums and decision-making bodies.  
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external delivery partners, venue owners, and National Governing Bodies (NGBs).  
• Provide strategic oversight and feedback on policies and procedures impacting Village operations, including coordination with other Functional Areas. 
• Support the review and approval of Venue Use Agreements (VUAs) and related documentation, including the establishment and maintenance of a tracking system to monitor key deliverables, deadlines, and mutual obligations outlined in the agreements. 
• Ensure that both Village and venue commitments are clearly documented, regularly updated, and proactively managed to support timely execution and accountability.
• Lead stakeholder engagement efforts, including site visits, walkthroughs, and readiness briefings.  
• Foster a culture of collaboration, adaptability, and continuous improvement within the Village Planning & Coordination team.  
• Champion team-building and professional development across the department, mentoring staff and supporting role specialization as the team grows 
• Ensure compliance with IOC/IPC requirements and service levels across all Village operations.   

Background & Requirements:

• Minimum of 8+ years of experience in a senior operational role, preferably within large-scale, multi-stake-keyholder or international events.
• Proven track record in planning and delivering complex service environments, with a focus on guest experience, logistics, and stakeholder coordination.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams. 
• Strong team building and leadership skills, with experience cultivating inclusive, high-performing operational teams. 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to manager relationships across internal teams, external partners, and service providers. 
• Advanced proficiency in project tracking tolls such as Smartsheet, and strong command of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint). 
• High Level of adaptability and flexibility to respond to changing operational demands and evolving Games-time conditions. 
• Strong organizational and analytical skills, with attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving. 
• Experience in Olympic and Paralympic Games operations or similar major sporting events is highly desirable. 
• Commitment to delivering inclusive, athlete-centered services aligned with IOC/IPC standard and expectations. 
• Ability to perform effectively under pressure, maintaining a collaborative and solution-oriented approach in high-demand environments. 

Education:

• Bachelor's degree required

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• The position is based in Los Angeles with in-person attendance required with frequent site visits to village locations.
• The LA28 office is an open floorplan working environment; employees must be able to work efficiently in an open cubicle environment.  
• During the planning phase, there will be occasional requirements to work long shifts, hours outside of traditional business hours/days to support deliverables and special events, travel, and the 2028 Games.
• Must be able to navigate large residential and operational zones, including during Games-time conditions.  

The annual base salary range for this position is $120,000 - $180,000. 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.