Associate Director, Site Operations

Kilowatt Events, Inc. is a leading woman-owned live event production company that specializes in creating and managing temporary event venues, designing custom brand activations, and delivering turnkey programs for fan experiences. With an impressive portfolio that includes televised world-class sporting events, red carpet events, lifestyle festivals, and high-profile corporate occasions, Kilowatt has earned widespread recognition, including a prestigious Sports Emmy Award for its work with the College Football National Championship for ESPN. Kilowatt operates with a commitment to diversity and inclusivity, ensuring equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.

The Associate Director, Site Operations at Kilowatt Events is a full-time exempt leadership role based primarily in San Diego with a hybrid work environment. This position is instrumental in steering the Operations department by overseeing the planning and execution of some of the company's most complex and high-profile events. The Associate Director is deeply embedded in the strategic aspects of site planning, temporary construction, crowd flow management, and event design. This role demands exceptional communication skills, extensive experience in live-event operations, and a comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges that come with nontraditional venues, temporary sites, outdoor settings, and large-scale public events.

The Associate Director will lead a talented operations team, providing mentorship and oversight to ensure alignment with project goals and company objectives. Regular communication and accountability will be key aspects of the role to maintain seamless event execution across various projects. As a senior operations leader, this role requires the ability to proactively address challenges, advise teams on best practices, and intervene in critical situations to drive success. Collaboration with the Director of Events and other stakeholders is essential to align operational efforts and maximize event efficiency.

A core responsibility will involve overseeing the end-to-end production process for assigned events, from supplier sourcing to on-site management. This includes coordinating with a variety of vendors such as scaffolding, tenting, power providers, heavy equipment suppliers, internet services, staging crews, carpentry teams, fencing contractors, and utility companies. The Associate Director ensures all events comply with local legal, permitting, and regulatory standards, including safety codes and union rules, guaranteeing smooth and lawful operations.

Event layout and design are other critical components of this role, requiring proficiency in software such as CAD or VectorWorks to create detailed event floor plans that optimize attendee experience, accessibility, and safety. Strategic planning of access points for vehicles, staff, and attendees must accommodate security, emergency response, and operational needs.

Process improvement is also a focus, with a responsibility to regularly identify operational inefficiencies and collaborate on system implementations that enhance workflows and reduce costs. Maintaining vendor order templates, establishing standard operating procedures, and ensuring staff assignments align with both company and project goals will contribute significantly to operational excellence.

The role requires active management of client and vendor relationships to strengthen partnerships and identify new business opportunities. Providing operational oversight during contract negotiations, vendor interactions, and logistics coordination is essential to maintaining strong, productive collaborations. Professional development is encouraged and supported, promoting continuous learning, creativity in event design, and contribution to innovative event concepts.

Health and safety responsibilities include ensuring adherence to industry regulations, safety standards, and risk mitigation strategies throughout event operations. The role offers a dynamic mix of onsite presence at events nationwide and remote work, with a flexible approach to scheduling, empowering the Associate Director to effectively manage their responsibilities without rigid oversight.

Kilowatt offers a competitive annual salary range of $105,000 to $110,000, plus commission, benefits, and bonuses. Health benefits become available after 60 days of employment, and relocation assistance to San Diego is available for the selected candidate. This position is an excellent opportunity for an experienced event operations leader who thrives in fast-paced, high-stakes environments and desires to make a meaningful impact on unforgettable live events.