Operations Manager

Morgan McKinley; Dublin; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Morgan McKinley in Dublin is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead daily venue operations at a premier event and sports site in South Dublin. You will report to the CEO and oversee safety, efficiency and guest experience across all event days and activities.

The role requires strong leadership, contractor management, and a proactive approach to compliance, budgeting and staff development, with weekend and evening availability as required.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years' management experience in a venue or major events setting.
• Proven track record coordinating complex event operations and contractor teams.
• Strong leadership and staff development abilities.
• Solid knowledge of health and safety legislation and risk assessments.
• Commercial and financial awareness including managing budgets.
• Willingness to work weekends, evenings and event days.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day venue operations, managing site logistics, third-party contractors, and support services.
• Plan, execute, and review major fixture dates and non-event campus activities.
• Liaise with regulatory bodies and stakeholders for compliance.
• Develop operational plans/procedures to maximise efficiency and customer delivery.
• Line manage the Operations Executive, coaching and performance management.
• Recruitment and briefing of casual event staff.
• Champion customer-first culture and training initiatives.
• Maintain relationships with suppliers and campus tenants; ensure contract compliance.
• Align operational delivery with customer brand promises.
• Lead health, safety, risk management; collaborate with Facilities.
• Support capital investment projects; minimise disruption to customer experience.
• Control budgets and ensure financial accountability.

Skills

Venue management

Event operations

People leadership

Safety compliance

Budget management

Scheduling flexibility

Job description

Job Title: Operations Manager

Location: South Dublin

Sector: Live Experience Sector

Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Operations Manager to join a premier multi-purpose event and sports venue in Dublin.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and serving as a key member of the Leadership Team, you will oversee the daily operations of the site. You will be responsible for delivering seamless, safe, and cost-effective operational management across all event days, fixture dates, and non-event activities ensuring an exceptional experience for visitors, participants, and commercial partners alike.

Key Responsibilities

Operational & Event Delivery

• Oversee day-to-day venue operations, managing site logistics, third-party contractors, and support services.
• Direct the end-to-end planning, execution, and review of all major fixture dates and non-event campus activities.
• Liaise closely with relevant industry regulatory bodies and external stakeholders to maintain full compliance across all operations.
• Develop operational plans and procedures that maximise efficiency while maintaining high standards of customer delivery.

Leadership & People Management

• Line manage the Operations Executive, providing coaching, performance management, and professional development.
• Direct the recruitment, deployment, and briefing of casual event staff to ensure optimal staffing levels and operational readiness.
• Champion a customer-first culture across all operational teams and support front-line service training initiatives.

Stakeholder & Contractor Management

• Maintain relationships with key suppliers, service providers, and campus tenants to ensure contract compliance.
• Work closely with internal commercial, sales, and marketing teams to align operational delivery with customer brand promises.

eSafety, Compliance & Facilities

• Lead a strong health, safety, and risk management culture in line with legislative requirements and organisational policies.
• Collaborate with internal Facilities and Grounds teams to maintain the venue environment to the highest standards.
• Support the planning and execution of capital investment projects, ensuring minimal disruption to the customer experience.
• Control operational budgets, ensuring cost efficiency and financial accountability.

What We Are Looking For

• Experience: Minimum of 4 years' management experience within a venue, major events, sports, hospitality, or leisure environment.
• Operational Leadership: Proven track record managing complex event operations, large contractor teams, and multi-stakeholder environments.
• People Skills: Strong leadership capabilities with a track record of developing high-performing teams and managing casual event staff.
• Safety & Compliance: Thorough understanding of health and safety legislation, risk assessments, and event safety protocols.
• Business Acumen: Commercial and financial awareness, including direct experience managing operational budgets.
• Flexibility: Exceptional organisation and problem-solving skills under pressure, with full availability to work weekends, evenings, and event days as required.