Associate Director, Site Operations

About the role

The Associate Director, Site Operations is a full-time exempt position with Kilowatt Events, Inc. This role is responsible for leading and managing the Operations department, as well as taking the lead on some of our biggest and most complex events.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and support the Operations Team, ensuring alignment across all projects.
• Provide regular touchpoints, clear communication, and accountability to maintain efficiency and consistency in event execution.
• Provide strategic guidance on event operations, advising teams on best practices and troubleshooting challenges.
• Step in on high-priority or at-risk projects as needed to ensure smooth execution.
• Collaborate with Director, Events on full-time employee event assignments.
• Oversee the full scope of production for assigned events including sourcing suppliers, populating orders, and managing onsite execution.
• Ensure events comply with all legal, permitting, and regulatory requirements (i.e. city ordinances, safety codes, union rules).
• Serve as primary point of contact and coordinate communications, in a timely, positive, and efficient manner for client team, production and operations vendors, sponsor operations, event staff, venues, and key event stakeholders.
• Create event staffing plans for the advance and onsite execution.
• Create and track event budgets, manage billbacks, reconcile invoices, and ensure overall alignment throughout planning and execution with projected costs.
• Create event layouts and floor plans, utilizing software such as CAD or VectorWorks.
• Prioritize collaboration with the design and production teams to ensure event spaces are optimized for attendee flow, accessibility, and safety.
• Create plans for access points for vehicles, staff, and fans that consider the needs of the events and the requirements for security, accessibility, and emergency support.
• Regularly identify inefficiencies and collaborate with the Director, Events to implement systems to streamline event operations.
• Ensure platforms, tools, and workflows are optimized to support the team's needs while keeping costs efficient.
• Maintain vendor order templates and implement SOPs for best vendor and event practices.
• Support and strengthen relationships with key vendors, venues, stakeholders, contractors, and partners to enhance operational efficiency.
• Identify new business opportunities and support Sales Team in RFPs and proposals as needed.
• Provide operational oversight on vendor contracts, negotiations, and logistics.
• Continuously work on professional development to stay current on trends, research, technology, and networking opportunities relevant to events and self-development.
• Contribute to creative ideation and event design by collaborating on concepts for opening ceremonies, experiential activations, or fan experiences.
• Ensure adherence to industry regulations, safety standards, and risk mitigation strategies across all event operations.

Qualifications

• 8+ years working in the event industry.
• 5+ years onsite event experience in site operations on major outdoor events, temporary event sites, and/or televised broadcasts.
• Ability to travel frequently and for extended durations (up to 2-3 weeks at a time).
• Construction experience building temporary structures for event settings.
• Proficiency in CAD or VectorWorks, or other mapping software.
• Heavy equipment experience with forklifts and aerial lifts (certification will be required and provided by KWE).
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills.
• Strong computer literacy required – Microsoft Office Suite preferred.

Benefits

Health benefits will be provided after 60 days.

Pay

The annual base salary range for this position is $105,000 - $110,000, plus commission, benefits, and bonus.

Schedule

This role is hybrid with a presence in the San Diego office at agreed upon intervals and travel to events around the country required. There is a preference towards having leadership roles based in San Diego with a regular presence in the headquarter office. Relocation to San Diego will be available to the selected candidate.