Operations Director, Exhibitions and Technical Production

The Director, Operations, will ensure that the Technical Production and Exhibition Project Management teams are effectively, accurately and efficiently managing all assigned projects. The role collaborates with other departments to maintain work order accuracy, timing, and detail, refines processes, systems, and tools to strengthen support, and participates in regular production meetings.

• Resource management of both teams across RFPs, pitches and live projects.
• Supporting both heads of departments on costing and estimating new job requests.
• Identifying and maintaining a robust freelance database of industry talent.
• Ensuring teams manage all assigned projects in accordance with best policies and practices to meet project needs.
• Striving for continuous improvement through 1:1s, meetings and knowledge sharing with the broader team; reviewing best practices, new developments, issues/challenges and system or process updates.
• Implementing and overseeing training and onboarding of new team members.
• Ensuring team members complete post‑show evaluations and financial reconciliations efficiently and effectively.
• Adhering to all IXM policies accurately and efficiently; identifying efficiencies in processes and systems.

• Develop, mentor and coach all direct reports, ensuring weekly and monthly meetings to discuss progress and review development plans.
• Oversee the development, mentoring and coaching of the wider team.
• Work with the Associate Director, Talent Management, to monitor development plans for all team members, considering current skills analysis, training needs analysis, individual needs and desires, and development planning strategies.
• Lead on recruitment process, interviewing and selection of new team members.
• Provide consistent leadership, motivation and direction to all team members.
• Ensure all operations teams consistently share best practice and always deliver to Impact‑XM standards.
• Manage direct report holidays and lieu days.
• Oversee management of wider team holidays and lieu days.

• Strategy Development:
  Contribute to the overall vision and strategic planning for the exhibition program, aligning operational goals with the organization’s mission and financial objectives.
• Process Management:
  Develop, implement and continually refine cross‑departmental policies and procedures for the end‑to‑end management of exhibitions (from proposal to de‑installation).
• Scheduling and Timelines:
  Create and maintain the definitive master schedule for all exhibitions and related events, ensuring all milestones are met and deadlines are respected.
• Risk Management:
  
  Identify potential risks (financial, safety, logistical) and develop comprehensive contingency and emergency plans.
• Team Leadership:
  Hire, train, mentor and supervise the operations staff, fostering a collaborative and high‑performing work environment.
• Cross‑Functional
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Serve as the key liaison and project leader, ensuring effective communication and coordination between functions.

• Desired
  
  Education:
  
  A bachelor’s degree (BA or BSc) in a relevant field.
• Minimum 10–15+ years in the live event and exhibition industry or similar experience executing projects, programs and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

• Passionate about working with people and client‑centric.
• Aptitude for structural mechanics and the ability to read and interpret blueprint drawings.
• Thrives in an entrepreneurial and independent environment.
• Embodies flexibility, open‑mindedness and receptivity.
• Actively works out solutions.
• Identifies something valuable in being part of a team and can collaborate effectively.
• Effective communication skills, including ability to make effective presentations, prepare written documentation (proposals, quotations, letters) and maintain accurate client and project files.
• Develops excellent rapport with existing and prospective clients.
• Possesses a good business sense.
• Exhibits the ability to multi‑task, sell and operate under severe time constraints and immutable deadlines; strong organization, detail and follow‑up skills required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs.
• Experience in CRM is an asset.
• Familiarity with show rules and regulations related to exhibit designs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of production materials and their utilization in exhibit production.
• Flexible and willing to work extended hours when required.