Senior Operations Manager
Festivals and Live Events

Organisation:
We Group (The Fair, We Are Placemaking and We Are OPS)

Location:
Hoxton, London

Hours:
Full-time, 37.5 hrs per week

Salary:
£34,000 – £38,500

JOB OVERVIEW

Reporting to: OPS Account Director

We’re looking for an experienced Senior Operations Manager to join our in-house OPS team and lead the operational planning and delivery of projects across festivals, large-scale outdoor events, public realm activations and community projects.

This is a senior, hands-on role for someone with a strong background in live event operations who is confident taking ownership of complex projects from early planning through to live delivery. You will lead operational workstreams including traffic, security, ingress and egress, licensing, stakeholder engagement and event safety documentation, while managing clients, suppliers, local authorities and multi-agency partners.

Working closely with the OPS Account Director, Health & Safety Manager and teams across The Fair and We Are Placemaking, you will help ensure projects are planned safely, practically and to a consistently high operational standard.

Alongside leading your own projects, you will contribute to the wider development of OPS through supplier management, company systems, new business pitches and the continued improvement of operational processes and documentation.

The role is based in Hoxton, London, with a regular mix of office and on-site work. There is a requirement to work away from home during the week and at weekends, occasionally abroad, particularly during the main event season from late May to mid-September. Due to the collaborative nature of the role, applicants should be based in London or within a commutable distance of our Hoxton office.

THIS ROLE WOULD SUIT SOMEONE WHO:

  • Has at least 2–3 years’ experience working in live events, including significant on-site experience at outdoor events and festivals
  • Is confident taking ownership of operational planning across multiple projects and client relationships
  • Has experience working with local authorities, Safety Advisory Groups, emergency services, suppliers and community stakeholders
  • Enjoys combining detailed advance planning and documentation with hands-on on-site event delivery
  • Is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, managing competing priorities and solving operational challenges
  • Wants to continue developing as a senior event operations professional within a collaborative in-house team

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead operational planning and delivery

Lead operational planning across assigned projects, taking responsibility for the development and coordination of traffic management, security, ingress and egress, emergency planning and other operational workstreams from advance through to live delivery.

Manage clients, venues and stakeholders

Act as a senior day-to-day operational contact for clients, venues, suppliers, local authorities and stakeholders, maintaining clear communication and ensuring operational requirements are understood, progressed and delivered.

Lead safety, licensing and multi-agency processes

Develop event safety documentation and support projects through licensing and SAG processes, working confidently with local authorities, emergency services and other multi-agency partners.

Deliver strong on-site operations

Act as the on-site Operations Manager on large-scale events, leading operational coordination, supporting Event Control and chairing Emergency Liaison Team meetings where required.

Support the growth and standards of OPS

Contribute to company systems, supplier auditing, contracting, insurance, new business and the ongoing development of OPS processes and operational standards.

Operational Planning

  • Lead operational event planning, including traffic management, security, ingress and egress planning
  • Lead advance OPS project work, including direct liaison with clients, venues and suppliers
  • Work closely with Production Managers at The Fair and Creative Producers at We Are Placemaking to develop joined-up operational plans
  • Develop practical operational solutions that consider customer experience, site constraints, safety, licensing and local stakeholder requirements
  • Coordinate operational schedules, actions and deliverables across multiple projects

Safety, Licensing & Compliance

  • Write Event Safety Management Plans, Risk Assessments, Fire Risk Assessments and associated appendices for large-scale outdoor events, festivals and public realm activations
  • Liaise with multi-agency representatives from Safety Advisory Groups and Local Authorities during planning and live event delivery
  • Confidently manage projects through the SAG process, including preparation, attendance, presentations, actions and follow-up
  • Support Premises Licence Applications
  • Submit event licensing and permissions including Temporary Event Notices (TENs) and Section 30 notifications
  • Support the OPS Health & Safety Manager with supplier auditing where required
  • Maintain clear project records, logs and audit trails to support compliance and post-event review

Stakeholder Engagement & Sustainability

  • Act as the lead for project-based stakeholder engagement where required
  • Develop and maintain positive relationships with residents, businesses and other local stakeholders
  • Plan and host resident and stakeholder meetings where required
  • Lead event sustainability administration and advance work, coordinating requirements with clients, suppliers and internal teams

Client, Supplier & Commercial Management

  • Manage a diverse portfolio of client projects and maintain strong client relationships throughout the project lifecycle
  • Manage project budgets, cost tracking and client invoicing
  • Oversee supplier contracting, including Preferred Supplier Agreements and review of supplier terms and conditions
  • Manage company and individual event insurance requirements, including cancellation, hired equipment and public liability insurance, and provide appropriate guidance to clients
  • Accurately record project time using company project management software
  • Draft presentations and contribute to new business pitches

ON-SITE DELIVERY

  • Act as the on-site Operations Manager for events of up to 20,000 people
  • Provide senior operational leadership during build, live event and de-rig periods
  • Liaise with clients, production teams, security, traffic management, emergency services, local authorities and other operational suppliers on site
  • Lead on-site Emergency Liaison Team (ELT) meetings where required
  • Support Event Control and incident response processes, ensuring clear communication, escalation and record keeping
  • Lead or contribute to post-event operational debriefs and ensure actions and learning are captured

GENERAL & COMPANY SUPPORT

  • Assist with wider OPS company administration, including updates to the company Event Calendar and Paperwork Tracker
  • Support consistent operational standards and ways of working across the OPS team
  • Share knowledge and operational experience with colleagues and support less experienced team members where appropriate
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of templates, processes and operational planning tools

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

  • At least 2–3 years’ experience working in the live events industry, including experience gained on-site at outdoor events and festivals
  • Confidence working as an Operations Manager on-site at large-scale outdoor events and festivals
  • Proven ability to plan ahead, prioritise workload and manage multiple projects simultaneously
  • Strong time management, organisation and attention to detail
  • Ability to manage a diverse client portfolio and maintain strong professional relationships
  • Resilience and the ability to work effectively in a high-pressure live event environment
  • Awareness of licensing legislation and application processes, including Premises Licences and Temporary Event Notices
  • Confidence managing the Safety Advisory Group process
  • Experience developing and maintaining positive relationships with local stakeholders, including residents
  • Confidence communicating with clients, suppliers, emergency services, local authorities and personnel at all levels
  • Experience producing or contributing to event safety and operational documentation
  • Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel
  • Full driver’s licence

Desirable

  • Crowd Safety Management, NEBOSH or similar event safety / health and safety qualification
  • Experience with traffic management, security or crowd management planning
  • Experience supporting Premises Licence applications and other event permissions
  • Experience leading ELT meetings or working within Event Control
  • Experience with stakeholder engagement, sustainability planning or public consultation

ABOUT WE GROUP

We Group is an independent live event production collective based in East London, specialising in festivals and large-scale events. We have been producing live events for over 20 years, working with some of the most exciting independent festival promoters, brands and organisations across the UK, US and beyond deliver live events across music, sports, activities and cultural events.

Our team has delivered festivals including Boiler Room and Labyrinth on The Thames, brand activations for the likes of Cupra, and major events for organisations including Grosvenor and London Heritage Quarter.

We deliver everything from venue-finding and site design to council liaison, procurement, and on-site production management, helping clients bring ambitious live events to life across the UK and internationally.

We Group is made up of three agencies – The Fair, We Are Placemaking and We Are OPS – all of which work closely to deliver large-scale cultural events, public activations and festival operations.

WORKING AT WE GROUP

At We Group, we strive to produce the best possible experiences for the people we work with. Our team’s expertise, bravery and big-picture thinking are integral to our approach, but it’s our mix of ambition, creativity, fun and flair that really sets us apart.

Our team is our most valuable asset – we are a family, and we work hard to support each other’s development. As a member of the We Group family, you will be supported with regular personal and professional development plans, team workshops and training.

BENEFITS

Hybrid working options (2 days per week from home, flexible hours)

Holiday pay (additional holiday with years served) + birthday off with pay

Health Shield membership (to claim back medical expenses)

Option to join company share scheme after 3 years’ service

Company Cycle Scheme

Discounted in-office gym membership

Ongoing personal and professional development

Access to workshops, training, and industry events

Attendance at our portfolio of festivals and events

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews will take place as suitable candidates apply, so early applications are encouraged.

Please apply by sending your CV and/or cover letter explaining how you meet the person specification to: wo********@*****up.london

Subject line: OPS – Senior Operations Manager

Successful candidates will be invited for a short phone call to assess suitability, followed by a longer interview in person.

Applications via video or audio file will also be accepted and treated with equal consideration. Please outline how you meet the person specification in your recording.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

We strive to create the best possible experiences for everyone, and for everyone to feel valued and included. Our greatest strengths come from the people who make up our family – they are the magic behind the machine.

We are committed to equal opportunities and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of age, race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, marriage, caring responsibilities, or pregnancy and maternity.

We welcome applications from deaf and disabled people. If you require reasonable adjustments to apply for the position or attend an interview, please let us know by calling 0203 916 6310 or emailing wo********@*****up.london

WHAT WE STAND FOR

At We Group, we believe in the power of events to inspire, connect, and transform. We champion independent promoters, advocate best practices in production, operations, and safety, and support the wider cultural ecosystem by cultivating new talent, pushing creative boundaries, and prioritising the audience experience. Our commitment extends beyond delivery, from mentoring emerging professionals and driving sustainability in festivals, to leading campaigns like Your Festival Needs You and producing the documentary It Takes a Village. Our team regularly shares expertise at UK and US industry events, while our CEO, Nick, serves as Vice-Chair of AIF, sits on the Advisory Board of NTIA, and contributes to SAGE and the ESA to strengthen support for the live events sector.