Senior Divisional Operations Director

Description

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 over 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! 

As the Senior Divisional Operations Director, you'll provide strategic leadership for all post-sale operations, ensuring customer projects are executed safely, on time, in budget, and of the highest quality. In collaboration with the Sr. Divisional Vice President, this role is accountable for divisional operational performance, profitability, client satisfaction, employee development, and overall continuous improvement. If you have working knowledge of the experiential marketing industry, and a willingness to jump into our fast-paced projects, read through and apply if this sounds like the opportunity for you!   

Senior Divisional Operations Director Responsibilities 

• Own the post-sale experience by ensuring projects meet or exceed expectations for quality, schedule, communication, and execution
• Lead the Project Management, Production, Logistics, and Administration departments to execute projects to highest quality standard
• Collaborate with sales, design, fabric, and estimating departments to support growth planning and operational readiness
• Partner with Sr. Divisional Vice President on strategic planning, growth, facility utilization, staffing, and capital investment needs
• Achieve employee retention goals through proactive leadership and fostering a collaborative, accountable culture 
• Provide executive oversight for high-risk, accelerated, or strategically significant projects
• Facilitate weekly Operations and Production meetings to maintain timelines, quality, and resources within project standards
• Identify operational risks, capacity constraints, and execution challenges while implementing proactive solutions
• Forecast workload, staffing, labor, and operational spending to ensure readiness for future demand
• Review production schedules and capacity, while allocating resources to maximize operational efficiency
• Enforce operational processes and standards throughout the project lifecycle
• Drive continuous improvement through standardized processes, technology automation, and operational best practices.
• Reduce number of negative field reports, customer escalations, and project issues while meeting established goals
• Ensure compliance with Derse policies, safety standards, and union agreements when applicable
• Prepare and present monthly operational and financial performance, including job variances, metrics, and corrective plans
• Take complete accountability for operational performance, job profitability, client satisfaction, and department budget performance

Requirements

Senior Divisional Operations Director Requirements & Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, or similar with 8+ years of relevant operational leadership required.
• Prior experience leading and coaching variety of departments and personnel required.
• Direct industry experience and management preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite including; Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and related required. ERP systems knowledge preferred.
• This is an in-office position but may require travel to support business climate. Travel is considered minimum to moderate.