Director of Business Operations

Pastimes, Inc.; Elk Grove Village (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses

PTO

401(k) match

Travel covered

Relocation help

Job summary

Pastimes, Inc. in Elk Grove Village, IL is seeking a Director of Business Operations to serve as the operational and strategic second-in-command. You will own day-to-day operations, lead the events team, and shape how the company functions.

You will develop new business, build client relationships, and represent Pastimes in high-stakes proposals and conversations. This role offers growth as the company expands and a leadership path beyond execution.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in event management, business development, client services, or related field.
• Proven ability to manage a team and drive accountability.
• Experience writing and presenting proposals to clients or stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication with professional presence.
• Ability to build structure in ambiguous environments.
• Excellent organizational skills managing multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Pastimes Events team and set performance expectations.
• Develop business opportunities and manage client relationships.
• Build proposals for new and returning clients and move deals forward.
• Represent Pastimes Events in meetings and industry settings.
• Reduce operational burden and work with the President on priorities.

Skills

Team leadership

Business development

Client relations

Proposals/presentation

Communication

Strategic thinking

Job description

This is not a typical director role. As Director of Business Operations, you will serve as the operational and strategic second-in-command at Pastimes Events. You will take significant ownership of how this company functions – from managing our events team and overseeing day-to-day operations to developing new business, building client relationships, and representing Pastimes in high-stakes proposals and conversations.

The person who steps into this role will have a direct hand in shaping the future of Pastimes Events. As the company continues to grow, this role is positioned to grow with it. If you are someone who wants to lead, not just execute – and who thrives in a fast-moving, relationship-driven environment – this may be the most exciting opportunity in the tabletop gaming events industry right now.

Your Day-to-Day

Team Leadership and Management

• Serve as the primary manager for the Pastimes Events team
• Be the person this team brings problems to – and the person who solves them
• Hold regular check-ins, establish clear expectations, and build a culture of accountability and mutual respect
• Work closely with the President on team performance, hiring, and operational priorities

Business Development and Client Relations

• Work with the President on the business development pipeline – identify new opportunities, cultivate relationships with publishers and partners, and move deals forward
• Build and manage proposals for new and returning clients, ranging from mid-scale activations to flagship events with budgets in the hundreds of thousands of dollars
• Serve as a primary point of contact for client relationships, ensuring expectations are met and partners feel valued
• Represent Pastimes Events in client meetings, calls, and industry settings with professionalism and authority

Operations and Strategic Support

• Reduce the operational burden on the President by taking ownership of decisions, communications, and execution across the events division
• Identify inefficiencies and build better systems, workflows, and processes across the team
• Partner with the President on strategic planning, event portfolio decisions, and long-term company direction
• Oversee vendor and partner relationships as they relate to event operations

What You'll Need

Required

• 5 or more years of experience in event management, business development, client services, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated ability to manage a team, hold people accountable, and build a healthy working culture
• Experience writing and presenting proposals or business development materials to clients or stakeholders
• Strong communication skills – written and verbal – with a professional, confident presence
• Comfort with ambiguity and a genuine interest in building structure where it does not yet exist
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously

Preferred

• Experience in the tabletop gaming, trading card game, or conventions industry – this is a meaningful advantage
• Existing knowledge of or relationships within the organized play or event production space
• Experience managing remote team members across different functions
• Background in contract negotiation, vendor management, or large-scale event logistics

What We Offer

• Salary: $75,000 – $100,000, commensurate with experience
• Bonuses based on event performance
• Paid time off
• 401(k) with employer match
• Travel expenses covered for all event attendance
• The opportunity to grow into a senior leadership role as Pastimes Events continues to expand
• Relocation assistance available

Where You'll Work

This position is expected to be based in Illinois with frequent travel to Events. Our offices are located in Elk Grove Village, IL, just west of O’Hare.

Pastimes provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.

Copyright 2026 Pastimes, Inc. All Rights Reserved.