Operations Director - Trade Shows

Paylocity; Coppell (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Derse is seeking an Operations Director for our Dallas area office to oversee post-sale activities, ensuring projects are planned, produced, and completed to client specifications and Derse standards. You will manage invoicing timelines, lead production and staff, and drive efficiency across processes.

The role requires 8+ years in operations leadership, a Bachelor’s degree, and hands-on fabrication knowledge. A fast-paced environment and strong mentoring skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Construction Management, or similar.
• 5+ years of management or supervisory experience in operations.
• Strong leadership and mentorship abilities are required.
• Hands-on knowledge of fixtures/cabinet-making/millwork or custom fabrication is a plus.
• Highly organized, flexible, and able to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Assume full responsibility for all post-sale activities to ensure work is planned, produced, completed, and invoiced per Derse standards.
• Own ultimate responsibility for job and budget variances.
• Prepare monthly operational financial reporting for Divisional VP review.
• Approve production capacity and communicate overtime needs to staff.
• Review upcoming work and assess impact on production scheduling and capacity.
• Collaborate with Divisional VP on future growth plans.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Mentoring staff

Deadline driven

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Construction Management, or similar

Job description

Description

Derse is a complete face-to-face marketing agency and exhibit builder. We bring a smarter approach to building client sales while managing their trade show, marketing environments and event programs. Our teams are made up of smart and forward-thinking people who bring experiential marketing solutions to life!

We believe in committing to a long-term investment in your career with a total rewards package including:

• Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits package
• A bright and energetic culture where your ideas are valued
• 75+ years of financial stability

Derse employs over 600 people in marketing, program management, creative & skilled production, and corporate support. Locations include Milwaukee, Chicago, Las Vegas, Dallas, Pittsburgh, and various communities in Poland & Germany. Visit our website derse.com to learn more!

As the Operations Director supporting our Dallas area office, you'll assume full responsibility for all activities post-sale to ensure that customer work is planned, produced, and completed to client specifications and Derse standards. You'll also ensure that projects are invoiced in a timely manner, while being a pillar of leadership for our clients and staff. If you have working knowledge of the experiential marketing industry, and a willingness to jump into our fast-paced projects, read through and apply if this sounds like the opportunity for you!

Operations Director Responsibilities

• Assume full responsibility for all activities post-sale to ensure that customer work is planned, produced and completed on site; and invoiced on time to client specifications and within Derse standard margins.
• Ultimate responsibility for job variances and budget variances.
• Prepare monthly operational financial reporting including job variances, budget variances, etc. for Divisional VP reporting to corporate.
• Production capacity report approval and proactive overtime communication to staff.
• Review pending future work and evaluate impact on production scheduling / capacity report; attend Design & Estimating meeting for a review of potential upcoming work.
• Work with Divisional VP on future growth planning.
• Production flow efficiency planning within corporate guidelines.
• Provide billing and purchase approval if exceeding the appropriate threshold.
• Lead weekly Production meetings defined by issues, updates and job close out with sales, project management, and office manager.

Requirements

Operations Director Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Construction Management, or similar with 8+ years relevant industry experience.
• Minimum of (5) years of management/supervision of various operational personnel experience.
• Demonstrated experience in providing strong leadership and mentor staff is required.
• Hands on knowledge of fixtures/cabinet-making/millwork/custom fabrication trades preferred.
• Highly organized, flexible and ability to work necessary hours in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment.