Head of Venue Operations

About the role

We are looking for a battle‑tested Head of Venue Operations to lead the operational planning and execution of large‑scale event precincts in Riyadh. You will join Sela at the inception phase of mega‑events, shaping crowd‑flow design, spatial zoning and on‑site command to deliver flawless, city‑scale experiences.

Key responsibilities

• Define and author operational zoning plans, access‑control boundaries, vehicle‑access zones and front‑of‑house/back‑of‑house splits during master‑planning.
• Lead the Operational Readiness, Activation and Transition (ORAT) framework, ensuring smooth handover from construction and overlay teams to live operations.
• Coordinate commercial and pavilion integration with international delegations, sponsors and F&B operators, managing fit‑outs, deliveries and waste logistics.
• Serve as the sovereign field authority, overseeing facilities, logistics, transport, guest services and cleaning providers across the venue footprint.
• Chair daily multi‑agency briefings, aligning security, technical and creative teams with crowd forecasts, weather conditions and program changes.
• Establish and run the Venue Operations Centre, monitoring live data, CCTV feeds and radio communications to manage incidents and maintain venue presentation.

Required profile

• Proven experience commanding live, high‑density operations of major international precincts, world expos, Olympic‑scale stadiums or mega‑festivals.
• Strong background in early‑stage venue strategy, spatial design and operational readiness handover.
• Demonstrated ability to break silos and lead cross‑functional teams in a fast‑paced, high‑stakes environment.

Required skills

• CCTV monitoring
• Radio communications