ABOUT WORLD OF ILLUMINATION
World of Illumination is the world’s largest animated drive-through holiday light show, welcoming hundreds of thousands of guests each season across multiple US markets. Our immersive, large-scale seasonal events create magical moments for families and guests of all ages, and we build them from the ground up every year with a passionate team dedicated to extraordinary experiences.
OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH
As Operations Manager, you will own the full technical and operational build of our seasonal entertainment experiences. You will lead a team of Park Foremen who direct the Leads, Technicians, and Stagehands responsible for installing, maintaining, and tearing down every World of Illumination park. From site design and load-in through nightly technical readiness to post-season teardown and asset recovery, you set the standard and develop the leaders who execute it.
Working as the operational counterpart to the Director of Events, you and your Foremen deliver a fully built, code-compliant, show-ready park each night, the physical and technical foundation on which our event and guest-experience teams operate. This is a high-visibility, high-impact role at the operational core of World of Illumination, and one with genuine room to grow. As we expand, you will have a direct hand in shaping the department’s direction, working closely with executive leadership on decisions that impact the company’s trajectory. We are looking for someone ready to grow alongside us, and this role comes with expanded responsibility as the company scales.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
- Passionate and proactive: you take pride in the work, show initiative, and bring a strong drive to hit every install and teardown deadline
- Leads teams at every level: you manage and develop Foremen, Leads, and Technicians, fostering collaboration and accountability across the field workforce
- Detail-oriented: you hold a high bar for detail and quality across every asset, display, and site
- An effective communicator: you articulate ideas clearly and concisely across leadership, the events team, Foremen, technicians, vendors, and venue partners
- Adaptable and resilient: you thrive in dynamic environments, learning quickly and adjusting as conditions change
- A multitasking pro: you manage multiple workstreams efficiently and keep your composure under high-pressure, high-stakes conditions
- Self-motivated and reliable: you need little oversight and can be counted on when the pressure is highest
- Safety-first: you treat crew safety, structural integrity, and building and fire compliance as non-negotiable at every site
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsible for planning, managing, and executing the technical and operational build of every World of Illumination park, with a strong focus on logistics, installation, asset management, site safety, and technical support. The Operations Manager and Park Foremen deliver a fully built, code-compliant, show-ready park to the Director of Events and Event Management team, ensuring the physical and technical foundation of every show is sound from load-in through teardown.
Technical & Operational Leadership
- Develop and own the master operational strategy for all WOI sites, spanning site design, load-in, installation, in-season technical operation and maintenance, and load-out / teardown
- Establish and enforce technical and operational standards, workflows, and best practices across all markets, continuously improving processes to drive efficiency and reduce costs
- Track, analyze, and continuously optimize operational practices to drive efficiency and consistency across every project
- Serve as the senior decision-maker for field and technical operations and the primary liaison between field teams and corporate leadership
- Partner with the Director of Events and Event Management team as the operational counterpart, ensuring each park is built, maintained, and delivered show-ready
- Review site plans and technical documentation for accuracy, and provide feedback to production / CAD designers for updates
- Travel as necessary to support or inspect installations, teardowns, and operational needs across all locations
Installation, Load-In & Teardown
- Lead and oversee load-in, installation, load-out, and teardown for all WOI parks and activations nationwide, ensuring operational excellence
- Develop and execute the most cost-effective, efficient install and teardown plans for each location to maximize productivity and minimize expense
- Meet all pre-determined installation and teardown deadlines without compromising quality or safety
- Own the master operations schedule for every site — including install start dates, milestone checkpoints, show-open dates, and teardown completion dates — monitoring adherence in real time and resolving delays before they impact deadlines
- Lead post-season teardown planning to ensure efficient teardown, asset recovery, and storage across all locations
- Ensure venue and site restoration to original condition post-event; conduct inspections and site walks with venue stakeholders to confirm compliance with agreements and partner satisfaction
- Coordinate bluestake / utility-locate calls at each venue and enforce safety measures that prevent damage to public or private utility lines
- Serve as the direct point of contact for venue managers to align on plan and schedule and avoid business disruptions
Logistics, Asset & Transportation Management
- Develop, manage, and oversee packing and transportation logistics to ensure timely and secure delivery of all show assets and equipment between sites
- Develop detailed material lists (BOMs) for installation and teardown, ensuring accuracy and availability ahead of each project launch
- Manage BOLs (Bills of Lading) for each venue to keep operations running smoothly and avoid unexpected costs from missing materials, tools, or equipment
- Collaborate closely with other departments to verify allocation lists and confirm readiness for transport
- Maintain proper oversight and control of all tools, equipment, and resources used throughout the installation and teardown process
- Manage WOI show assets, materials, tools, and equipment inventory across all locations, and oversee maintenance, refurbishment, and quality control of assets between seasons
Building Safety, Fire & Regulatory Compliance
- Enforce all safety guidelines and regulatory requirements, ensuring a safe working environment at all times
- Own OSHA compliance across every location and operational phase, covering PPE, structural-system installation and removal, and equipment operation
- Coordinate and pass all building, electrical, and fire inspections; serve as the primary point of contact for fire marshals, building officials, and other authorities having jurisdiction
- Secure and maintain required permits for structures, temporary electrical, and installations at each venue
- Develop and enforce emergency-response and evacuation protocols to protect guests, staff, and venue partners, maintaining inspection-ready documentation throughout the season
Technical Support & Park Readiness
- Administer and maintain a comprehensive Quality Control (QC) process for all production and show assets, both pre- and post-installation
- Set and enforce technical quality-control standards across every site so each park meets WOI’s visual, lighting, and structural bar night after night
- Oversee nightly technical operation and maintenance of displays, lighting, and electrical systems, keeping the park at 98–100% operational capacity throughout the season
- Provide direct oversight of Show Technician performance and enforce rigorous product and installation quality-control protocols
- Provide technical support and rapid troubleshooting for field teams, tracking recurring issues and implementing preventative fixes
- Deliver a fully operational, show-ready park to the Director of Events and Event Managers each night, and coordinate on any technical needs that arise during show hours
Team Leadership, Training & Development
- Recruit, hire, onboard, and train Park Foremen, Leads, and Technicians to build a high-performing field team
- Create and implement comprehensive installation and teardown training programs for Foremen, Leads, and Stagehands, using training guides, presentations, and instructional videos, and refresh the content annually based on lessons learned
- Develop and deliver training programs for on-site Show Technicians covering event support, troubleshooting, and maintenance procedures
- Create and manage Show Technician work schedules in the company’s established scheduling software across installation, in-season show operations, and teardown periods
- Directly supervise and mentor Park Foremen, providing strategic guidance and day-to-day support, and build a culture of accountability, safety, and technical excellence across the field workforce
- Assess Foreman and technician performance in the field, manage timesheets and reporting, and provide ongoing coaching and development throughout the season
Budget & Vendor Management
- Develop and manage operational budgets covering labor, equipment, transportation, and installation expenses, continuously identifying and implementing efficiencies
- Communicate and manage vendor relationships professionally, ensuring alignment with project timelines and standards, and building relationships that support high-quality installation and production nationwide
- Negotiate vendor contracts and agreements to secure favorable terms that protect profitability and maintain quality standards
- Ensure all vendors remain fully compliant with agreement terms and project requirements; acquire competitive quotes to ensure best pricing and value
- Monitor financial performance and collaborate with executive leadership and finance on reporting-period reviews and overage approvals
Cross-Departmental Collaboration & Post-Season Planning
- Partner closely with the Director of Events, VP of Operations, Marketing, HR, and Finance to ensure cohesive planning and a seamless operations-to-events handoff
- Participate in pre-season planning meetings and lead post-season operational reviews covering install / teardown performance, technical uptime, safety, and cost
- Document lessons learned and operational insights to strengthen systems ahead of the next season
- Present findings and strategic recommendations to the VP of Operations and executive leadership
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Extensive time on feet in active field environments; must be comfortable at heights of 40+ feet and around heavy machinery
- Must be able to stand, walk, push, pull, bend, climb, and lift / move up to 50 pounds regularly
- Must tolerate loud noise levels and high-activity environments
- Must be willing to work and travel during daytime, evening, weekend, and holiday hours as required
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Construction Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred
- Proven experience in large-scale field operations, event or entertainment production, or installation / construction management
- 8+ years in field operations, technical production, or installation management, with 3+ years leading managers and multi-site operations
- Demonstrated success building and executing operational plans across multiple simultaneous locations
- Demonstrated success training and developing foremen, technicians, or field supervisors
- Deep knowledge of installation logistics, transportation, asset management, and technical field operations
- Strong working knowledge of OSHA compliance, building and fire code, permitting, and inspection processes, including working with authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs)
- Experience managing BOMs, BOLs, and asset / inventory systems
- Proficiency in G-Suite; experience with Deputy or similar workforce-scheduling software is a plus
- Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills across all levels of an organization
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-pressure install and teardown environment
- Willingness and ability to travel to multiple US markets throughout the season
- Flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays
WHY WORLD OF ILLUMINATION
This is more than an operations role, it’s a chance to build something real. You will be the engine behind every show, ensuring the magic is built on time, engineered safely, and delivered flawlessly to our events team across every market. You will develop a team of field and technical leaders and shape the operational backbone of one of the country’s most beloved seasonal entertainment experiences.
We move fast, we set high standards, and we care deeply about the work we do and the people we do it with. If that sounds like your kind of environment, we’d love to meet you.
Pay: $70,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
