Hospitality Operations Lead

About:

SailGP is the world’s most exciting racing on-water. The annual, global championship – established in 2018 and now in its fourth season – features national teams battling in short, intense races at iconic stadium-style venues across the globe.

The high-tech, high-speed action features the sailing's best athletes racing in identical hydrofoiling F50 catamarans, flying at speeds approaching 100 km/h who compete for the sport's top prize money, with US$4.3 million at stake over the season.

SailGP is a global organisation with defined values that shape the culture of its diverse team: deliver quality, break boundaries, make an impact, stand together and strike a balance.

Summary:

The Hospitality Operations Lead is responsible for delivering world-class premium guest experiences at SailGP events by flawlessly executing strategic and operational plans. Focusing on our high-end Vela premium experience product, you will collaborate closely with the Experience Team to oversee this premium hospitality space across our events in the calendar. Serving as the primary onsite operational lead during event build and live days, you will coordinate seamlessly with Infrastructure, Experience and Operations teams to ensure that design, logistics and delivery meet SailGP's elite standards.

*Please note: This role will be called Experience Operations Lead internally.

• Strategic Execution: Work closely with the Experience Team to implement and execute short, medium and long-term strategic visions for premium guest journeys and hospitality spaces for the Vela product.


• Vela Product Operational Management: Partner with the Premium Experience Lead and the Director of Experience to design and deliver comprehensive operational plans aligned with the strategic vision for the Vela premium product and related guest groups.


• Infrastructure Collaboration: Coordinate with the Infrastructure Manager on the design of all premium and Vela spaces, ensuring that operational needs, luxury standards and guest flow are fully integrated into the builds.


• Cross-Functional Communication: Take ownership of sharing and communicating all operational planning with the wider SailGP Operations and Experiences teams to ensure seamless alignment.


• Onsite Leadership: Act as the primary, high-visibility onsite operational point of contact for all premium Vela hospitality spaces during event build-up, live race days and pack down days.
  

Key Expectations:

• Promotes SailGP Values and contributes to a positive culture


• Fosters a work environment where diversity is valued, respected, and celebrated through inclusive leadership


• Develop creative solutions that allow for quality work to be delivered


• Drive collaboration and team work within their team and amongst wider department recognising their personal impact and utilising this effectively


• Promote working practices that enable a healthy work life balance within the team and celebrate wellbeing


• Supports and displays out of the box thinking guiding this to align with SailGP's strategic objectives


• Support teams with developmental goals and growth plans utilising a coaching mindset to enable and empower


• Seizes opportunities to impact Better Sport, Better Planet


• Strives for the commercial sustainability of SailGPconsidering this at all parts of budget management


• Effectively presents with impact

About You: 

• Experience in live event operations, preferably in VIP or premium guest services


• Strong project and time management skills with the ability to deliver complex plans


• Excellent communication and stakeholder coordination across multiple teams


• Proven ability to lead onsite operations during event build and live execution


• Understanding of event infrastructure and space planning


• Ability to problem solve and make decisions under pressure


• High attention to detail and commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences


• Comfortable working in fast paced, high pressure environments


• Familiarity with guest journey mapping and hospitality best practices is a plus

Location:

SailGP HQ in London, United Kingdom. Hybrid working model with a minimum of 3 days per week in the London Office.

This role will have regular event travel. 

SailGP is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace committed to building a team culture that celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion.