Operations manager

This position can be based in Denver, St. Louis, or Grand Rapids.

At Unbridled, people matter. While we embrace AI as a tool to help us work smarter, we don’t use it to screen resumes or to conduct interviews on our behalf. Applications are reviewed by a real person on our team, and every interview is conducted by a real person(s). We believe every candidate deserves an authentic, respectful hiring experience.

Our Company

Unbridled is an event management, production, and creative agency delivering intentionally crafted events through our customer-focused approach to creative design, attendee management, program logistics, production, and travel. We believe that in an unbridled atmosphere, talented people are unleashed to imagine and intentionally craft solutions and services that amaze our customers. Our values drive everything we do....and differentiate the Unbridled Brand. We collaborate in each other's destiny, foster a culture of authenticity, and are a business of radical generosity. It's part of why we have a 99% client retention and less than 15% annual employee turnover. You will thrive at Unbridled because we focus on relationships, keep clients first, and put people before process.

Job Description

As a leader of the Project Delivery organization, the Operations Manager is responsible for developing high-performing teams and creating the operational environment that enables exceptional event execution. This role provides strategic leadership for Project Managers, Senior Project Managers, Meeting Planners, and Senior Meeting Planners while driving planning excellence, workforce planning, operational consistency, and continuous improvement across the organization. Partnering closely with Client Experience and Operations Support leaders, the Operations Manager ensures Project Delivery has the people, processes, tools, and capabilities required to consistently deliver outstanding client experiences.

Successful candidates will have the following:

• 10+ years of meeting, event, hospitality, or project delivery experience, including progressive leadership responsibilities.
• Demonstrated success leading project delivery or operations teams in a fast-paced, client service environment.
• Experience developing high-performing teams through coaching, performance management, and talent development.
• Strong operational leadership with expertise in project delivery methodologies, workforce planning, resource management, and process improvement.
• Proven financial acumen, including forecasting, budgeting, profitability, and operational planning.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, change management, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive organizational alignment.
• Ability to travel as needed to support client programs, team development, and business initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading project delivery organizations within meetings, events, hospitality, or professional services.
• Experience implementing operational systems, process improvements, or organizational transformation initiatives.
• PMP, CMP, or other relevant leadership or project management certifications.

What you would be doing at Unbridled:

Team Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, coach, and develop the Project Delivery team, including Senior Project Managers, Project Managers, Senior Meeting Planners, and Meeting Planners.
• Establish clear performance expectations, career development plans, and coaching strategies that foster engagement and long-term growth.
• Support recruiting, onboarding, succession planning, and talent development across the Project Delivery organization.
• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and hospitality.

Operational Excellence

• Establish and maintain Project Delivery standards, methodologies, templates, and best practices.
• Drive operational consistency, quality assurance, and planning excellence across all programs.
• Review internal post-program reviews, lessons learned, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify operational risks and implement solutions that improve efficiency, scalability, and delivery quality.

Resource & Delivery Management

• Partner with Workforce Planning & Resourcing to forecast demand and align staffing with business priorities.
• Balance workloads, optimize team utilization, and ensure programs are appropriately staffed based on complexity and capacity.
• Provide leadership and support for complex delivery challenges, operational escalations, and resource decisions.
• Monitor organizational performance and proactively address delivery risks.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with Client Leadership to ensure seamless collaboration between account and delivery teams.
• Collaborate with Operations Strategy leader to improve tools, systems, financial processes, sourcing support, registration operations, and event technology.
• Support strategic planning, organizational initiatives, and change management efforts that strengthen Commercial Operations.
• Represent the Project Delivery organization in leadership discussions and contribute to long-term operational strategy.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Leadership
• Talent Development & Coaching
• Operational Excellence
• Workforce Planning
• Financial Acumen
• Drive Change Management
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Communication & Influence
• Continuous Improvement
• Accountability
• Hospitality Mindset

Comprehensive Benefit Package

Unbridled provides a comprehensive benefits package to all Unbridled employees, as well as other perks and work-life integration. The package includes:

• Denver Salary Range: $80K - $90K
• St. Louis Salary Range: $72K - $81K
• Grand Rapids Salary Range: $72K - $81K
• Health & Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance, FSA & HSA Plan Options
• Life, Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• 401k Plan with Discretionary Company Match
• Employee Loan Program
• Generous PTO Including:
• 4 Weeks of PTO/Sick Leave
• 7 Holidays
• 3 Floating Holidays
• Flex Holiday Week
• 3 Days Community Service Leave
• Milestone Anniversaries & Sabbaticals
• PTO Exchange Program
• Paid Family & Medical Leave
• Monthly Parking Pass
• Professional Therapy Benefits
• Voluntary Pet Insurance
• Cell Phone Allowance

In addition to our extensive benefits package and the ability to take up to 37 days of paid time off per year, we also offer things like a company advocate program for new hires, wellness days, company social events, awards to empower employees to recognize colleagues, and more. We also have monthly Friday Forums where employees have a chance to hear from different members of the company regarding important updates and communications.

AN UNBRIDLED COMMUNITY TAKES ALL KINDS

We hire top talent from various backgrounds and intentionally cultivate a workplace of belonging where every team member is celebrated for who they are and where differing perspectives are valued. We are committed to creating a diverse, caring community where everyone can feel like they belong, no matter their race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, or ability. Come “Be you” with us.

Wage differential is based on seniority, merit, geographic location, education, training and experience. Talk with your recruiter to learn more.

There is no application deadline for this position.

Unbridled provides reasonable accommodation and/or modification to disabled individuals to assist in the application process. Any individual requiring accommodation/modification to complete this application should contact us at recruiting@unbridled.com.