Technical Operations Director

This role would suit an experienced technical operations leader who can build scalable structures, lead teams and suppliers, improve ways of working and provide confident oversight across a broad and evolving technical services function. 

AS OUR TECHNICAL SERVICES & OPERATIONS DIRECTOR YOU WILL... 

Lead the strategic direction, performance and development of SPORTFIVE’s Technical Services function, creating the operating model, governance and standards needed to deliver exceptional service to clients and partners. 

In a typical week you will... 

• Define and deliver the long-term technical services strategy for SPORTFIVE’s UK Rightsholder Services business. 

• Lead technical operations across LED servicing, managed services, technical project delivery, maintenance and support activity. 

• Develop scalable operating models, KPIs, service standards and governance to support future growth and consistent delivery. 

• Oversee SPORTFIVE’s technical asset portfolio, including warehousing, inventory management, maintenance planning and asset lifecycle strategies. 

• Manage strategic supplier and outsourced service partner relationships, including performance reviews, service levels, commercial controls and escalations. 

• Improve resource planning across Technical Services and Production Services, including workforce deployment, contractor usage, rotas, travel, logistics and operational systems. 

• Work closely with Production Services and wider teams to identify opportunities to share resources, improve processes and create a more joined-up operational delivery framework. 

• Oversee technical support programmes for clubs and partners, including planned maintenance, system audits, inspections and reactive on-site support. 

• Provide senior oversight for major technical projects, installations and infrastructure upgrades, ensuring work is delivered safely, on time and within budget. 

• Lead, develop and mentor technical and operational teams, shaping future structures, roles, skills and development pathways. 

• Maintain strong governance across health and safety, RAMS, standard operating procedures, resilience planning, risk management and incident review processes. 

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, EXPERTISE 

• Significant senior leadership experience within technical operations, service delivery, venue technology, live events, broadcast, sports technology or a related industry. 

• Experience leading large-scale operational service functions, ideally across multi-site or live delivery environments. 

• Proven ability to lead teams, suppliers, contractors and outsourced service providers, with confidence managing performance and service standards. 

• Strong understanding of technical assets, warehousing, inventory management, maintenance planning and operational governance. 

• Commercially minded, with experience of budget management, supplier governance, contract performance and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability. 

• Experience creating scalable structures, systems, processes and performance frameworks that support business growth. 

• Excellent project, programme and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to balance detail, pace and commercial priorities. 

• Confident communicator and decision-maker, able to present clearly, influence positively and act as a senior escalation point when needed. 

• Strategic thinker with a pragmatic, hands-on approach and a strong focus on service excellence, continuous improvement and client delivery. 

• Naturally collaborative, calm under pressure and comfortable driving change across functional boundaries. 

• High levels of integrity, professionalism and accountability, with flexibility to travel and work in line with the needs of a live sports operation. 

WHAT YOU’LL GET FROM US... 

As well as the opportunity to join an organisation that invests in and rewards its teams, provides a fantastic working environment and culture, and offers genuine responsibility and scope to shape a role and add real value, you’ll also get... 

• 25 days annual leave, bank holidays and a gifted day over the Christmas period 

• Full Vitality health cover including dental, optical, hearing care and mental health support 

• 1 day working from home after an on-boarding period – no 2 weeks are the same we work as a team to deliver, be visible, support our people’s needs whilst also supporting our own flexible needs 

• Core hours of 10am-4pm with flexi start and finish times 

• Enhanced family leave entitlements 

• A day off for moving house  

• A day off for getting married  

• Free on-site car parking 

• Regular social events such as summer and Christmas parties 

• Life assurance at x4 annual salary 

• Employee Assistance Programme  

SPORTFIVE are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We believe that different perspectives and experiences are the key to success. Our goal is to create an authentic and attractive work environment where everyone feels valued, with a sense of belonging, and encouraged to shape the future of the sports industry.