Description:
The Venue Operations Director, under the direction of the Executive Director of Venue, will be responsible for leading event delivery, operations, maintenance and safety of Allianz Stadium, Twickenham and the RFU’s property portfolio. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring the customer and fan experience is at the highest possible level and the stadium remains fit for purpose, drives the maximum commercial revenue for the RFU, and meets legislative, sustainability, sporting, and entertainment requirements.
THE ROLE
Key Responsibilities will include but not be limited to:
Events
- Ensure the complete safety and security of every person visiting, using, and working within all of our event facilities.
- Oversee the planning and delivery of all event and match day activities.
- Ensure that budgets are managed and agreed in advance of each event and the expected commercial returns are achieved.
- Maintain excellent relationships with all stakeholders and external parties who contribute to the success of Allianz Stadium events, including but not limited to Richmond Council, Police, emergency services, Six Nations Rugby Limited and World Rugby.
- Ensure that the RFU complies with relevant legislation and the terms of its Premises License, General Safety Certificate, and planning obligations.
Venue Hires
- Use existing relationships to promote the stadium as a regular concert and multi-purpose entertainment venue.
- Alongside the Executive Director of Venue, lead the negotiation of stadium hire agreements and concert contracts.
- Maximise the commercial returns from stadium events and non-event day opportunities.
Venue Operations
- Ensure the highest levels of security are maintained at the stadium.
- Manage operational stakeholder relationships with core stadium tenants including the hotel, gym, and retail outlets.
- Ensure efficient and customer focused office, reception, and concierge services.
- Promote a customer service culture throughout the Venue Operations team ensuring that the reputation of Allianz Stadium and the RFU is upheld at all times.
Venue Facilities
- Contribute to the development of the long-term stadium masterplan project.
- Ensure all service contracts are procured and managed in line with RFU policies and the agreed performance terms.
- Oversee the development and implementation of a long-term sustainability and carbon net zero strategy.
Grounds
- Ensure that the stadium and training pitches are of a world-class standard for all matches and England training camps, and as a minimum, compliant with World Rugby (and other sports) specifications at all times.
- Develop the medium-term pitch construction plan to align with the ongoing masterplan process for the stadium.
THE PERSON
- Applications are invited from candidates who can display the following key skills, experience and personal attributes:
- Significant and highly credible experience in a similar role managing high footfall major stadia, sports, leisure, or entertainment venues.
- Proven senior event management experience, including crowd safety management, transport planning and delivery.
- Experience of sourcing, negotiating, and securing stadium hires across sport and entertainment desirable.
- Facilities management experience preferred, ideally in the stadia sector, including technical knowledge and long-term financial asset planning.
- A safety-first focussed leader - NVQ Level 4 Spectator Safety Management preferred.
- Strong commercial, project, and financial acumen.
- Proven experience of effectively managing significant contracts and budgets.
- A clear strategic thinker, adept at both short- and long-term planning, with the ability to see the wider business picture.
- Results driven; thrives on challenge; action-orientated and pragmatic in approach. .
- Positive mindset: resilient, able to balance multiple priorities and remain focused and clear.
- Proven ability of working in a highly complex and varied stakeholder environment with a strong focus on customer service.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, able to build relationships quickly across a wide range of key stakeholders with differing agendas both internally and externally.
- Committed to always demonstrating the highest professional standards of operation and delivery.