Senior Director of Operations

Derse is a complete face-to-face marketing agency and exhibit builder. We bring a smarter approach to building client sales while managing their trade show, marketing environments and event programs. Our teams are made up of smart and forward-thinking people who bring experiential marketing solutions to life!

We believe in committing to a long-term investment in your career with a total rewards package including:

• Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits package
• A bright and energetic culture where your ideas are valued
• 75+ years of financial stability

Derse employs nearly 600 people in marketing, program management, creative & skilled production, and corporate support. Locations include Milwaukee, Chicago, Las Vegas, Dallas, Pittsburgh, and various communities in Poland & Germany. Visit our website derse.com to learn more! 

The Senior Director of Operations provides strategic leadership to operational performance by developing operational leaders, standardizing operational best practices, and improving consistency across all Derse divisions. You will partner with divisional leadership to strengthen the operating processes and support hands-on for critical business needs. The Senior Director of Operations is a crucial role for the ongoing success of Derse, and our hard-working teams to best fit the needs of clients. The world of trade shows and experiential marketing is always evolving! Read through and apply if this sounds like the opportunity for you!   

Senior Director of Operations Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership to Divisional Operations Directors (DOD) through implementing best practices across all goals and operations.
• Act as temporary backfill for vacancies in the DOD, MPM (Manager, Project Management), or other roles as needed across divisions.
• Lead regular meetings, coaching, training, and operational support to provide leadership for our divisional leadership (DOD, MPM, etc).
• Implement approved operational standards and training initiatives across divisions within allocated schedules.
• Partner with other divisional leadership to monitor financial performance, conduct operational reviews, and recommend improvements.
• Complete all scheduled audits, operational reviews, and facility optimization initiatives. Ensure corrective action plans are implemented.
• Lead facility planning and real estate initiatives by understanding capacity, occupancy, facility layouts, etc for organizational growth.
• Collaborate on corporate capacity planning to balance workloads, and ensure readiness for future business goals and demands.
• Develop and maintain Corporate led operational standards, while ensuring compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain strategic vendor relationships, negotiate operational agreements, and support contract admin to strengthen performance.
• Provide executive level operational support for large client transitions, complex projects, and overall business initiatives for success.  
• Act as a primary leadership in the field as required to support execution of business or project delivery and demands.
• Demonstrate hands-on leadership by assuming responsibility for high risk projects, capacity constraints, etc. for optimal performance.
• Daily and annual management of direct reports consisting of Corporate Support Managers. 
• Travel throughout the year to monitor, fill-in, or assist with divisional leadership and direct reports.

Senior Director of Operations Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or similar required.
• 10+ years of managing / overseeing production & sales-oriented operations in a custom build / trade show environment required.
• Extensive understanding and experience of field service within the trade show industry required.
• Financial acumen and strong presentation of financial reporting experience.
• Prior experience in strategic leadership of direct reports.
• Proficiency in MS Suite including; Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and related. ERP and Project Management software knowledge preferred.
• Ability to travel and support business climate. Travel is considered extensive and may be for extended periods of time