Chief Operations Officer

Hiring company: The Special Events Group Jamaica Source: LinkedIn Jamaica The Special Events Group (TSE) is a creative powerhouse shaping unforgettable experiences across Jamaica and the Caribbean. From corporate functions and conferences to weddings, concerts, and stage shows, we bring imagination to life. Our portfolio includes Blueprint Events, Reel Time Studios, and Starlight Production, delivering everything from event production to digital, videography and design solutions. Role Purpose The Chief Operations Officer (COO) is the CEO’s principal leader for operational delivery. The COO turns approved strategy and secured client work into consistently well-planned, safe, cost-conscious and high- quality events across The Special Events Group Ltd. The role leads the teams closest to event planning and execution, including client services, event coordination, logistics, production support and audio, visual and lighting operations. Key Responsibilities 1. Operational Leadership and Event Delivery • Lead the operational delivery model for events and productions from the handover of secured business through mobilization, execution, close-out and post-event review. • Provide direction, priorities and performance management for the Client Services Manager, Logistics and Operations Manager, AVL Manager and assigned operational leaders. • Ensure each event has clear ownership, a realistic execution plan, confirmed staffing and equipment, approved scope and budget, client commitments, safety requirements and contingency arrangements. • Chair regular operational planning, project-readiness and event-debrief meetings; maintain clear action logs, escalation routes and follow-through. • Resolve operational resource conflicts and remove cross-functional blockers that may affect quality, timing, safety, cost or client experience. 2. Client Services and Event Coordination • Develop and maintain senior relationships with key and high-value clients, working closely with the CEO, Client Services Manager and Operations Manager to support client confidence, resolve delivery concerns and identify opportunities to strengthen, retain or re-engage strategic accounts. • Through the Client Services Manager, ensure event coordinators and operations supervisors deliver timely planning, accurate handovers, strong client communication, onsite support and complete project close-out. • Review the readiness of high-value, complex or high-risk events and provide executive operational oversight where required. • Strengthen event-management standards, including site visits, production schedules, run sheets, client approvals, issue logging, close-out documentation and post-event learnings. • Ensure operational feedback from client services informs improvements to delivery quality, workforce capability, supplier performance and future proposals. 3. Logistics, Technical Operations and Resource Control • Through the Logistics and Operations Manager, direct labour planning, transport, equipment allocation, warehousing, inventory readiness, supplier coordination and site mobilization. • Through the AVL Manager, ensure audio, visual, lighting and electrical operations are technically sound, properly scheduled, appropriately staffed and maintained to support flawless event execution. • Oversee operational capacity planning across events, equipment, crew, transport and specialist resources; identify constraints early and approve or escalate solutions within delegated authority. • Monitor equipment maintenance, asset utilization, inventory integrity, loss prevention, fleet readiness and supplier performance to reduce downtime, leakage and avoidable expenditure. • Ensure operational teams comply with applicable health, safety, security and site requirements and promptly address material incidents or risks. 4. Operating Performance and Continuous Improvement • Set and monitor operational service standards, delivery metrics and management reporting for event readiness, execution quality, staffing, equipment utilization, delivery incidents, close-out and client feedback. • Analyze recurring operational failures, delivery delays, cost overruns, rework and client issues; implement practical corrective actions with the relevant leaders. • Document and improve workflows, decision rights and operating procedures across event delivery, logistics, production support and technical operations. • Lead, coach and develop operational managers and team leads, building succession depth and consistent accountability across the operating teams. 5. Partnership with Finance and Human Resources • Work closely with Finance on operational budgets, event cost tracking, purchasing requirements, supplier commitments, payroll inputs, cash-flow implications and performance reporting; the COO does not assume Finance line-management responsibility. • Work closely with HR and Group Culture and Talent on workforce planning, recruitment requirements, contractor needs, performance matters, training, employee relations and organizational design affecting operations; the COO does not assume HR line-management responsibility. • Provide accurate, timely operational information to Finance and HR so that decisions affecting event delivery are made with a clear understanding of capacity, risk and client commitments. • Participate in cross-functional planning and escalation meetings to ensure Finance and HR issues that could affect operations are identified early and addressed through the appropriate functional owners. 6. Governance, Risk and CEO Partnership • Operate within approved delegated authorities and ensure operational decisions, supplier commitments and material changes are properly documented and authorized. • Maintain a live view of operational risks, including event readiness, safety, equipment, suppliers, staffing, client commitments and reputational exposure; escalate material matters promptly to the CEO. • Provide the CEO with concise, action-oriented operational updates on delivery performance, risks, resourcing, major events and corrective actions. • Act for the CEO on delegated internal operational matters during authorized absences, while maintaining appropriate escalation to the CEO and Board. • Develop enterprise-level understanding of the Company’s commercial, financial, client and people drivers in preparation for broader leadership responsibilities. Key Performance Indicators • Events are delivered safely, on time, within approved operational parameters and to agreed quality and client-service standards. • High-value and complex events demonstrate strong readiness, clear handover, disciplined execution, timely close-out and effective post-event learning. • Operational capacity, equipment, transport, inventory, crew and suppliers are planned effectively, with reduced downtime, losses, avoidable costs and last-minute resourcing gaps. • Operational reporting is timely and reliable, with material risks, delivery issues and corrective actions clearly identified and escalated. • Client Services, Logistics and Operations, and AVL teams show improved performance, accountability, capability and cross-functional coordination. Qualifications and Experience • Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Business Administration, Project Management, Industrial Engineering or a related discipline; a postgraduate qualification is an advantage. • At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience, including senior responsibility for operations, project delivery, logistics, technical production or business management in a fast- paced, service-led or project-based environment. • Demonstrated success leading complex delivery teams, improving operating systems, managing risk, controlling costs and strengthening accountability. • Experience in events, production, logistics, hospitality, construction, media, technical services or another complex delivery environment is strongly preferred. • Strong financial literacy, commercial judgement, people leadership and ability to manage competing priorities under time pressure. Key Competencies • Operational leadership and execution; event and project management; logistics and technical coordination; systems thinking; sound judgement; risk management; people development; stakeholder management; clear communication; integrity; resilience; and a practical, hands-on approach to solving problems.