What are the responsibilities and job description for the Experiential Operations Director position at Hirschfeld?
THE OPPORTUNITY
At Hirschfeld —We’re Built Different. We focus on creating authentic connections that transform ideas into lasting partnerships. It’s not just about delivering experiences; it’s about building relationships that truly matter. We’re not just looking for employees; we’re seeking individuals who want to grow with us, contribute to meaningful work, and craft something extraordinary together.
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Experiential Operations Director to lead the execution of large-scale experiential projects and events. This individual will oversee all operational aspects of event builds, from managing staff and labor crews to ensuring flawless onsite execution. The ideal candidate thrives in fast-paced environments, has hands-on experience with heavy equipment and build logistics, and demonstrates an ownership mindset—taking full responsibility for their projects from start to finish.
We want someone who doesn’t just manage projects—they own them. This role requires a leader who can balance strategic oversight with hands-on execution, ensuring every event is delivered with precision, creativity, and accountability.
THE COMPANY
Powered by 70 dedicated professionals, Hirschfeld is committed to the mission of creating Awe Inspiring Moments. Hirschfeld orchestrates over 3,000 events annually for clients like Anheuser-Busch, Monster, Unilever, and NASCAR. Since 2004, the company has built comprehensive capabilities spanning strategy, creative design, fabrication, logistics, sponsorship consulting, hospitality, and event management. We are a powerhouse in transforming challenges into innovative solutions for businesses and brands.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Oversee the planning and execution of all experiential activations, tours, and events from concept through onsite delivery.
- Serve as the operational bridge between Client Services, Fabrication, and Creative to align timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
- Create and enforce standardized project management systems, event checklists, safety protocols, and logistics workflows.
- Team Leadership: Manage and mentor operations staff, ensuring alignment with project goals and company standards.
- Labor Oversight: Direct and oversee local labor crews, ensuring efficiency, safety, and quality of work.
- Project Scheduling: Develop and manage onsite build schedules, proactively communicating progress and challenges to the client service representative.
- Client Communication: Lead pre-event planning meetings and post-event recaps with both clients and internal teams.
- Ownership Mindset: Take full responsibility for assigned projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, on budget, and to the highest standard.
- Partner with the Fabrication and Warehouse teams to ensure readiness, quality control, and cost tracking.
- Analyze event data and post-program reports to drive continuous improvement and identify opportunities for efficiency gains.
- Lead training on safety, event execution standards, and equipment handling.
- Support the recruitment, development, and retention of top operational and field talent.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Deep understanding of event production, trucking, warehousing, permitting, and field execution.
- Strong financial acumen with the ability to manage multimillion-dollar budgets.
- Excellent communicator who thrives in cross-functional collaboration.
- Calm under pressure, decisive, and detail-oriented with a bias for action.
- Skilled in project management tools (e.g., Asana, Wrike, Monday.com, Smartsheet, Google sheets) and production tracking systems.
- Proven experience in event operations, experiential marketing, or large-scale production management.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage diverse teams and labor crews.
- Hands-on experience with heavy equipment and event build logistics.
- Excellent organizational and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Willingness and ability to travel frequently.
- Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Suite, with the ability to create clear documents, reports, and presentations