Manager LED Operations

FREEMAN; Town of Texas (WI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

Paid Parental Leave

Life, Accident and

Job summary

The Freeman Company is seeking an LED Manager, Operations to lead the pre-production LED design team and drive delivery from budgeting through execution. This role coordinates with engineering, fabrication, and video design teams to service a variety of LED projects.

As a people leader, you will develop frontline supervisors, monitor KPIs, and ensure safety and quality across I&D, logistics, and show-site services while aligning with client expectations.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in event operations, logistics, production, or related field.
• 2+ years of people leadership experience (direct reports required).
• Proven experience managing complex, multi-phase operational projects.
• Strong understanding of event execution, including labor planning and show-site operations.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and travel as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end operational planning and execution for assigned events, ensuring alignment with client expectations, budgets, and timelines
• Partner cross-functionally with Production, Account Management, and Sales to ensure seamless delivery
• Advise on labor planning, scheduling, and on-site supervision across installation & dismantle, logistics, and show-site services
• Monitor operational KPIs including productivity, cost efficiency, on-time delivery, service and design quality
• Resolve escalated operational issues in real time, ensuring minimal client impact while preventing recurrence
• Directly manage and develop frontline supervisors and operations staff, including hiring, onboarding, coaching, and performance management
• Foster an inclusive, high-performing team culture aligned with Freeman values
• Conduct regular one-on-ones, performance reviews, and development planning
• Drive workforce engagement, retention, and readiness across peak event cycles
• Ensure proper staffing levels and skill alignment for event needs, including full-time and contingent labor
• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure adherence to all safety policies, union rules, and regulatory requirements
• Ensure compliance with venue, labor union, and client-specific requirements
• Implement quality control processes to maintain high standards of execution and customer satisfaction
• Serve as an operational point of contact for internal stakeholders and, where needed, external clients
• Ensure a consistent, high-quality client experience throughout event delivery
• Support continuous improvement initiatives based on client feedback, post-event evaluations, and internal needs
• Manage operational budgets, labor costs, and resource utilization to meet financial targets
• Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising service quality
• Support forecasting and planning for future events and business cycles

Skills

People Leadership

Operational Excellence

Customer Focus

Collaboration

Problem Solving

Financial Acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

High School Diploma or Equivalent with relevant work experience required

Tools

Vectorworks

Job description

About Us

The Freeman Company is a global leader in events, on a mission to redefine live for a new era. With a data-driven approach and the industry's largest network of experts, The Freeman Company's insights shape exhibitions, exhibits, and events that drive audiences to action. The integrated full-service solutions leverage a 99-year legacy in event management as well as new technologies to deliver moments that matter.

Summary

The LED Manager, Operations is responsible for leading the pre-production LED design team, having accountability from budget through implementation. This role aligns resources, standards, and technology to facilitate the design and execution of a wide variety of LED projects. This covers a range of scope from LED Posters, small sponsor walls, specialty exhibits, and large general sessions.

As a people leader, this role drives team engagement, capability development, and performance while fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement. Responsibilities span many departments, including engagement with our safety, engineering, fabrication, and video design teams.

This position will support our Audio Visual and Event Technology team. It is eligible to work a hybrid schedule, generally requiring work in-office and/or show-site 2-3 days per week based out of Dallas, TX or Las Vegas, NV.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end operational planning and execution for assigned events, ensuring alignment with client expectations, budgets, and timelines
• Partner cross-functionally with Production, Account Management, and Sales to ensure seamless delivery
• Advise on labor planning, scheduling, and on-site supervision across installation & dismantle (I&D), logistics, and show-site services
• Monitor operational KPIs including productivity, cost efficiency, on-time delivery, service and design quality
• Resolve escalated operational issues in real time, ensuring minimal client impact while preventing recurrence
• Directly manage and develop frontline supervisors and operations staff, including hiring, onboarding, coaching, and performance management
• Foster an inclusive, high-performing team culture aligned with Freeman values
• Conduct regular one-on-ones, performance reviews, and development planning
• Drive workforce engagement, retention, and readiness across peak event cycles
• Ensure proper staffing levels and skill alignment for event needs, including full-time and contingent labor
• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure adherence to all safety policies, union rules, and regulatory requirements
• Ensure compliance with venue, labor union, and client-specific requirements
• Implement quality control processes to maintain high standards of execution and customer satisfaction
• Serve as an operational point of contact for internal stakeholders and, where needed, external clients
• Ensure a consistent, high-quality client experience throughout event delivery
• Support continuous improvement initiatives based on client feedback, post-event evaluations, and internal needs
• Manage operational budgets, labor costs, and resource utilization to meet financial targets
• Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising service quality
• Support forecasting and planning for future events and business cycles

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree preferred, High School Diploma or Equivalent with relevant work experience required
• 5+ years of experience in event operations, logistics, production, or related field
• 2+ years of people leadership experience (direct reports required)
• Proven experience managing complex, multi-phase operational projects
• Strong understanding of event execution, including labor planning and show-site operations
• Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and travel as required

Preferred:

• Experience in trade shows, live events, or experiential marketing
• Familiarity with union labor environments and large venue operations
• First-hand experience with CAD software, preferably Vectorworks
• OSHA 30

Key Competencies

• People Leadership: Coaching, accountability, engagement
• Operational Excellence: Planning, execution, continuous improvement
• Customer Focus: Delivering high-quality client experiences
• Collaboration: Cross-functional partnership
• Problem Solving: Agile decision-making in fast-paced environments
• Financial Acumen: Cost control and resource optimization

Travel Requirements

Travel up to 25%

What We Offer

The Freeman Company provides benefits that aim to empower our people and their families to thrive mentally, physically, and financially. These are a handful of the types of programs and benefits our full-time people may be eligible for. There may be some variances in specific benefits across regions.

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Parental Leave
• Life, Accident and