Director, Venue Development (Renovations)

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance.

LA28 is the independent, non-profit, privately funded organizing committee for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We are on a singular mission to create an Olympic and Paralympic Games that celebrate all that this city and country have to offer, delivering an unparalleled experience for athletes, fans, partners and our community.  

The 2028 Games mark the return of the Summer Games to the U.S. for the first time in 32 years and Los Angeles’ third time hosting an Olympic Games and first time welcoming the Paralympic Games. This presents the unique and exciting opportunity to celebrate our legacy with the Games and push the Olympic and Paralympic Movements forward, writing a new chapter of Games history in Los Angeles.  

Putting on an Olympic and Paralympic Games is a team sport. To build a Games unlike any the world has seen before, we need the best team in place–a team full of diverse perspectives, experiences and expertise. We are guided by the following set of values and behaviors–optimism, integrity, excellence, inclusion, co-creation and boldness–and look forward to hearing about how your past experiences align with them.

The VNI (Venue Infrastructure) team plays a critical role in delivering competition and non-competition venues that are functional, innovative, and accessible for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. As part of the larger Sport & Games Delivery group, the VNI team ensures that all venues are designed and developed with the highest standards for functionality, sustainability, and inclusion. 

We are seeking an experienced leader in infrastructure development and delivery to oversee the coordination, planning, design, and delivery of infrastructure projects, including renovations and venue-owner led construction, associated with the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Director, Venue Development (Renovations) will lead the strategic planning and delivery oversight of a portfolio of venue renovation and upgrade projects across the Los Angeles region. This role is accountable for program-level decision-making, governance, and performance across multiple concurrent projects, ensuring alignment with cost, schedule, scope, and regulatory requirements.

This position requires a leader with strong local market experience, preferably in Los Angeles or California, including familiarity with permitting processes, building codes, contractor ecosystems, and insurance and bonding requirements associated with major capital works. The Director will provide clarity of direction in complex environments, balancing competing priorities while enabling teams to deliver effectively.

The role is not defined by direct technical delivery, but by decision quality, prioritization, and the ability to guide multidisciplinary teams through ambiguity. The successful candidate will demonstrate technical credibility across architecture, engineering, and construction disciplines, while leading through influence, not control.

Technical Oversight & Delivery Assurance

• Oversee design, engineering, and construction delivery without micromanagement
• Apply cross-disciplinary expertise to challenge assumptions, identify risks, and validate solutions
• Ensure delivery is technically sound, operationally viable, and aligned with cost and schedule
• Address risks and bias in cost, schedule, and planning assumptions
• Ensure coordination across venue owners, consultants, contractors, and city agencies

 Stakeholder & Partner Management

• Build and lead relationships with venue owners, local authorities, and delivery partners across Los Angeles
• Align competing stakeholder priorities to drive agreed outcomes
• Resolve scope, budget, and delivery challenges through effective negotiation
• Integrate requirements across internal functional areas

 Team & Consultant Management

• Lead and develop Senior Managers and project teams, driving accountability and performance
• Provide clear direction and constructive challenge to strengthen decision-making
• Delegate effectively while maintaining oversight of risk and delivery
• Provide clear direction to architecture and engineering consultants; ensure design outputs align with operational, technical, and venue owner requirements.

 Organizational Influence & Relationship Management

• Lead through influence, embedding collaboration and accountability
• Support teams in navigating complex stakeholder environments
• Address misalignment early and promote transparent communication

 Resilience & Delivery Environment

• Maintain clarity and composure in high-pressure environments
• Provide direction through change and evolving priorities
• Balance delivery pace with sustainable team performance
• Encourage early identification and resolution of risks

• Minimum 8+ years of relevant industry experience, preferably with 5 years of leadership experience in engineering, architecture, or construction management
• Proven experience leading engineering or architecture and design programs – training as an engineer or architect is preferred but not required but direct experience overseeing and managing complex construction is required
• Experience overseeing multiple concurrent, complex projects spread across the Los Angeles area, varying in scope with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience working with a diverse range of stakeholders and proven success at building excellent working relationships
• Experience working with senior executives across multiple functional areas
• Excellent leadership skills with track record of people development and revenue achievement
• Demonstrated commitment to co-creation and collaborative decision-making 
• Extremely detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills
• Strong communication, team building, and interpersonal skills
• Well-developed problem-solving skills and ability to work independently to resolve issues
• Fluent working with Office suite products including Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
• A collaborative mindset; someone who prioritizes the team and fosters a culture of high performance without ego
• Ability to implement and manage change effectively

• Willingness to occasionally visit venues and work on-site as needed.
• Proven ability to manage multiple stakeholders and build strong cross-functional relationships.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel and PowerPoint; familiarity with AutoCAD or similar tools advantageous.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present information effectively.
• Ability to work independently and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Sports Management, Construction Management, Event Management, related field or equivalent work experience required
• Licensure as an architect or engineer in California highly desirable

• The position is based in Los Angeles office with in-person presence required. 
• The LA28 office is an open-plan working environment; employees must be able to work efficiently in an open cubicle environment. 
• The majority of work will be conducted in an office setting, requiring extended periods of time sitting, standing, using computers, phones, and other office equipment, and attending in-person meetings.
• Ability to work extended hours during critical build milestones and Games-time preparations  

The annual base salary range for this position is $126,000.00 - $180,000.00. The pay scale provided is the range that LA28 reasonably expects to pay as starting base compensation for this role. All LA28 compensation remains subject to final determination based on individual candidate qualifications, experience, or other reasonable criteria consistent with LA28’s operational business needs and applicable law.

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance.

LA28 is committed to fair and unbiased recruitment procedures allowing all applicants an equal opportunity for employment, free from discrimination on the basis of religion, race, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, color, ethnic or national origin, or any other classification as may be protected by applicable law. LA28 will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance and all applicable laws. We strive to build a team that is inclusive and encourage qualified candidates of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities to apply. We assess applications based on relevant skills, education, and experience a candidate can add to our team.