Senior Vice President, Global Operations

New Today

Senior Vice President, Global Operations Wasserman operates at the epicenter of sports, music and entertainment, serving talent, brands and properties on a global scale. Wasserman Live specializes in delivering branding and signage, custom fabrication, live event production and experiential operations across sports, music and entertainment. Working with the world’s most iconic properties and brands, we elevate live events to make them unforgettable. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Wasserman's presence spans 28 countries and more than 70 cities, including New York, London, Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Madrid, Mexico City, Toronto, Paris and Sydney. For more information, please visit www.teamwass.com. Role Overview Wasserman Live is appointing a Senior Vice President, Global Operations into a central, enterprise-level leadership role equivalent in scope to a COO for the Live business. Following a period of significant global growth, this newly created role will be responsible for leading operational consistency, technology enablement, and continuous performance improvement across Wasserman Live’s international footprint, with a strong focus on major global sporting events and large-scale international programmes. The role owns the development of a scalable, consistent, and future‑ready operating model, while respecting regional delivery models and cultural differences. It also plays a key role in onboarding, acquisition integration, and long‑term operational strategy. Key Responsibilities Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement
Senior operational partner to the Group Managing Director and global leadership team Build alignment across Commercial, Finance, Global Events, and Regions Lead and develop a high‑performing international operations leadership community This role requires a highly personable, politically astute, and exceptional communicator, capable of navigating a diverse global organisation and bringing stakeholders on the journey with influence rather than imposition. The individual must be commercially savvy, able to balance entrepreneurial pace with corporate discipline, and bring a proactive, action‑oriented mindset with strong execution rigour. Given the international footprint of the role, being an experienced global business traveller is a clear advantage.
Operational Improvement, Performance & Global Capital Asset Optimisation
Lead global continuous improvement across efficiency, margin, speed, risk, and asset utilisation Own global operational KPIs, dashboards, and performance reporting Partner with Finance and regions to optimise cost base, margins, delivery performance, and capital ROI Own the global strategy for capital assets, including one‑off capital projects, hardware, plant, machinery, production assets, and operational technology Drive sharing, pooling, and redeployment of assets across regions where appropriate Lead long‑term capital planning, renewal cycles, and future capability investment aligned to the global event pipeline Identify systemic bottlenecks and underperforming assets, implementing sustainable enterprise‑level solutions
Global Operations Process Consistency & Governance
Own and drive global delivery standards and operating frameworks across project delivery, governance, risk, safety, compliance, and quality Standardise project lifecycle management, cost control, and change approval Ensure a consistent global client delivery experience with appropriate regional flexibility Act as executive operational authority on high‑risk and strategically critical projects
Global Resource Planning & Future‑Proofing
Own the global operational resource strategy Align workforce planning to global sporting calendars, major event cycles, new business wins, and geographic expansion Optimise central, hub‑based, and regional delivery models
Strategic Problem Solving & Critical Project Intervention
Act as the global escalation point for complex, high‑risk projects Lead cross-regional responses to delivery risk, supply chain disruption, resourcing shortfalls, and technology failures Drive structured lessons‑learned and improvement loops
People Onboarding, Capability & Culture
Lead a globally consistent operational onboarding framework with People & Talent teams Ensure consistent adoption of delivery methodologies, technology platforms, and safety, compliance, and governance standards Champion a global culture of accountability, safety, quality, and performance
Technology Enablement & Digital Transformation
Lead the global operational technology strategy, alongside IT and Systems teams Own global rollout of core IT and workflow platforms, scanning and measurement technologies, print, fabrication, and production methodologies, and AI in planning, forecasting, resourcing, procurement, and reporting Ensure technology is commercially justified, secure, scalable, and embedded
Global Sporting Events & Major Programme Operations
Provide senior operational leadership support across global sporting events and international programmes, including world tournaments, tours, and federations Own delivery consistency, logistics alignment, safety governance, and readiness planning Act as senior escalation point for venue, regulatory, logistics, and delivery risk Lead structured post‑event reviews and learning programmes
M&A, Acquisitions & Business Integration
Lead operational due diligence on acquisitions Assess scalability, systems, cost base, delivery risk, and supply chain exposure Own post‑acquisition operational integration into operating standards, technology platforms, and governance frameworks Support leadership on acquisition planning and execution
Global Procurement & Supply Chain Strategy
Provide senior oversight of global procurement and supply chain strategy Support centralised purchasing models, preferred supplier frameworks, and cost optimisation Ensure consistent standards across fabrication, print, AV, structures, and logistics Embed ethical and sustainable sourcing
Requirements
15+ years of progressive leadership in operations, production, or large‑scale project delivery with accountability across multiple regions or business units. Demonstrated experience leading or supporting major international live events, large‑scale programmes, or multi‑site delivery environments. Proven track record running global or multi‑country operations with diverse cultural and regulatory environments. Understanding of cost drivers, capital assets, machinery, plant operations, and production scheduling. Experience managing global procurement, preferred supplier frameworks, or centralised purchasing. Demonstrated capability in resource forecasting, workforce planning, or deployment of large operational teams. Demonstrated ability to lead through influence rather than command‑and‑control. Strong record of aligning executives across Commercial, Finance, Production, and regional leadership. High EQ, political savvy, and proven success building trust with diverse global teams. Ability and willingness to travel internationally at significant frequency, including extended periods (e.g., 1–4 weeks) during major events or critical interventions. Willing to relocate, if required, to support a hybrid working pattern of three days per week from our Orpington, South London office.
Wasserman does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Location:
Greater London
Job Type:
FullTime

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