Operations Lead / Project Director - International Events (JHB North - Hybrid)

About the position

The Role:

This role is built for a world-class operator who lives for live environments - someone who feels most at home backstage, on-site, and in the middle of controlled chaos while thousands of people are arriving at an event you helped bring to life.
You're not just an event planner - you're an execution leader.
You understand the pressure, pace, and adrenaline of festivals, major sporting events, and large-scale productions. You know how to turn complex moving parts into seamless experiences, lead teams across borders, and make critical decisions when the clock is ticking and the show must go on.
If you thrive in fast-moving environments, enjoy solving problems in real time, and take pride in delivering moments audiences never forget, this role puts you at the centre of global live experiences.

You might be coordinating a major sporting event in one country, leading a festival build in another, or delivering a live experience halfway across the world - international travel is a core part of the role.

This role is Hybrid and requires only 2-3 days in office per week.

You will take full ownership of event execution-from initial planning through to on-the-ground delivery.
This role requires a highly experienced operator with proven experience delivering major international events, capable of managing complex, multi-country projects with confidence and independence.
You will act as the central driver of execution, ensuring all projects are delivered seamlessly without requiring constant input from the founder.

International Travel & Induction:

International travel is a fundamental component of this role.
As part of the onboarding and induction process, the successful candidate will be required to travel to the United Kingdom and potentially Portugal, working closely with the global team to gain full exposure to operational systems, delivery standards, and upcoming international projects.
Following induction, the role will involve regular international travel aligned to event delivery schedules.

Candidates should expect:

• Approximately 6-8 weeks of international travel per year
• Travel typically occurring in deployments of around 2 weeks at a time

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead end-to-end delivery of international events and experiences
• Manage timelines, budgets, suppliers, freelancers, and global logistics
• Act as the central coordination point across clients, partners, and internal stakeholders
• Oversee delivery across multiple regions and time zones
• Anticipate, troubleshoot, and resolve issues proactively
• Maintain exceptional standards of execution across all projects
• Build and refine operational systems to improve efficiency and scalability
• Support business growth by identifying opportunities within existing and new client relationships

What Success Looks Like:
Within 60-90 days:

• Projects run smoothly without constant oversight
• Complex challenges are handled proactively and independently
• The founder is no longer required in day-to-day coordination
• You become the operational backbone of international delivery
• You contribute to both operational excellence and commercial growth

Candidate Profile:
This role is suited to someone who:

• Has significant experience delivering major international events (essential)
• Has managed complex, multi-market or cross-border projects
• Is highly detail-oriented, structured, and process-driven
• Performs exceptionally well under pressure
• Communicates clearly and confidently with senior stakeholders
• Takes full ownership and accountability for delivery
• Is comfortable working across time zones and travelling internationally
• Has a commercial mindset and can identify opportunities to grow client relationships

This Role Is Not Suitable For:

• Individuals who require constant direction
• Those who prefer ideation over execution
• Individuals who avoid accountability
• Candidates seeking a purely structured 9-5 role
• Candidates without hands-on international event delivery experience

What You'll Gain:

• Direct exposure to global clients and high-profile international projects
• The opportunity to work across multiple countries and markets
• A key role in building and scaling a globally operating business
• High levels of autonomy, ownership, and influence
• Clear pathway to long-term leadership within the company

Application:
If you are an experienced international events operator who takes pride in delivering exceptional work and wants to play a key role in building a globally ambitious business, we would like to hear from you.

Compensation:

• Salary: R800,000.00 - R[Phone Number Removed]; per year
• Performance-based bonus
• Incentives offered for any new business brought into the company (via existing or new clients)

The Salary will be negotiable further in relation to correct experience as well as international experience.
(Negotiable, based on skills, experience and in relation to current package)

Desired Skills:

• Project Director

About The Employer:

About the Business:

A globally operating, high-end events and experiences business delivering complex, design-led projects for premium brands and clients across multiple international markets.
With a footprint spanning Europe, Africa, and other key global destinations, the business specialises in producing sophisticated, large-scale events and brand experiences that require precision execution, strong creative alignment, and seamless operational delivery.

Our work is fast-paced, detail-intensive, and often delivered across borders-requiring a team that can operate at an international standard, manage complexity with confidence, and consistently deliver at the highest level.
As the business continues to scale globally, we are looking for a senior operator to take ownership of delivery and play a key role in driving operational excellence across all projects.