Operations Director

LINKVIVA Websiite; Dubai; Hybrid; AED 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as an Operations Director, leading the full lifecycle of one of the region's most anticipated festivals. This role requires a seasoned professional with over 10 years of experience in event operations, capable of managing multiple stakeholders and ensuring a seamless guest experience. You will oversee everything from operational planning to live event delivery, making a significant impact on public safety and event success. If you thrive under pressure and are passionate about creating memorable experiences, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in managing large-scale outdoor public events.
• Proven ability to manage large teams and logistics effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational planning from pitch to post-event debrief.
• Manage teams and contractors across key functional areas.

Skills

Event Operations Management

Stakeholder Management

Budgeting and Procurement

Team Leadership

Logistics Coordination

Risk Management

Job description

Operations Director Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Position: Operations Director (Contract)

Duration: Mid May 2025 to End of Jan 2026

Location: Based in Dubai office until October; must be able to go onsite from October/November to January

Role Overview

Lead the seamless delivery of a world-class festival, overseeing full operations lifecycle and ensuring a successful event.

About Us

[Insert company description]

Why You Should Join Us

• Lead the full operations lifecycle for one of the region's most anticipated events.
• Coordinate high-level leadership between teams, government stakeholders, and global vendors.
• Make a significant impact on guest experience, public safety, and event success.

About the Role

As Operations Director (Contract, Liwa)

Key Responsibilities

• Lead operational planning from pitch to post-event debrief.
• Manage government and stakeholder liaison, including day-to-day coordination with clients, authorities, vendors, and regulatory bodies.
• Manage teams and contractors, including recruitment, training, and management across key functional areas.
• Oversee live event delivery, including security, HSE, toilets, guest services, ticketing, crowd management, and vendor logistics.
• Run the MOC, overseeing main operations during the event and acting as the decision-making hub for operational control.
• Manage budgets and procurement, including forecasting and leading procurement cycles focused on value and efficiency.
• Implement HSE and risk protocols, collaborating to ensure safety compliance and emergency readiness.
• Produce event reports and learnings to feed into future projects and improve internal processes.

About You

• Senior operations leader with 10+ years of experience managing large-scale outdoor public events.
• Detail-oriented planner skilled in developing systems, workflows, and scalable event plans.
• Confident negotiator and communicator capable of managing multiple stakeholders and aligning diverse partners.
• Resilient under pressure, capable of leading live operations in remote and high-pressure environments.
• Collaborative leader known for motivating teams, managing complexity, and leading by example.

What You Need to Apply

• Minimum 10 years of event operations experience.
• Experience with festivals, mass participation events, or citywide activations.
• Proven ability to manage large teams, vendors, and logistics.
• Experience working in the Middle East.
• Advanced stakeholder management skills.
• Fluent in written and spoken English; Arabic highly desirable.
• Valid UAE driving license.
• Strong budgeting and procurement capabilities.