Operations Director

Time Commitment: 
Long-Term (6+ months)
Deadline to Apply: 
Monday, November 9, 2026
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The Director of Operations is a senior volunteer member of the Island Fest London Board of Directors; responsible for helping build the systems, structures, and operational readiness required to deliver a safely organized, professional, and successful festival.

The position provides close governance with the Board Chair and Executive/Leadership Team, and provides mentorship to the committee leads, vendors, volunteers, venue partners, suppliers, and community stakeholders.  The Operations Director turns board-approved plans into coordinated action and helps ensure that operational commitments are followed through.

Board-Level Responsibilities

• Provide strategic operational leadership and recommendations to the Board of Directors.

• Help establish annual operational priorities, timelines, procedures, and readiness milestones.

• Develop and maintain an operational plan covering pre-event planning, festival-day execution, and post-event wrap-up.

• Identify operational risks, dependencies, resource gaps, and contingency needs, and bring significant issues to the Board for decision-making.

• Support the development and implementation of policies, procedures, checklists, and standard operating practices.

• Coordinate cross-functional committees and ensure operational information is communicated clearly and on time.

• Monitor progress against key deadlines and report operational status, concerns, and recommendations to the Board.

• Help ensure that festival operations align with the organization's mission, values, approved budget, and applicable requirements.

Festival Operations

•  Lead operational planning for site setup, event flow, teardown, equipment, supplies, signage, storage, and logistics.

• Coordinate operational requirements with venue representatives, municipal contacts, suppliers, contractors, vendors, performers, and other partners as applicable.

• Help establish festival-day command structures, communication procedures, escalation pathways, and operational checklists.

• Oversee operational readiness reviews leading up to the festival and confirm that outstanding issues have assigned owners and timelines.

• Support the development and implementation of policies, procedures, checklists, and standard operating practices.

• Support emergency, weather, crowd-flow, accessibility, and contingency planning in collaboration with the appropriate leads and authorities.

• Coordinate volunteer operational needs, including check-in, deployment, shift coverage, and festival-day support structures.

• Ensure operational documentation, contact lists, schedules, maps, inventories, and checklists are current and accessible to authorized team members.

Governance & Board Collaboration

•  Attend Board meetings and participate actively in strategic and operational decision-making.

• Provide concise written or verbal operations updates for Board meetings.

• Bring material risks, delays, budget pressures, safety concerns, or operational barriers to the Board promptly.

• Work within Board-approved authority, policies, budgets, and strategic direction.

• Collaborate respectfully with other directors and committee leads while maintaining clear accountability for assigned operational responsibilities.

• Support transparent record-keeping and appropriate documentation of operational decisions and commitments.


Required Qualifications/Training: 
This Volunteer Board position requires year-round planning responsibilities and increased activity leading up to festival dates.
Additionally, the position will be required to attend regular Board and committee meetings, and operational meetings as required.
Evening and weekend availability may be required during planning periods and festival operations.
• Festival-day presence is expected, including extended periods of standing, walking, coordinating, and responding to operational needs.
• Fast-paced event environment requiring flexibility, professionalism, sound judgment, and adaptability.
Skills Preferred: 
Strong organizational, project-management, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, stakeholders, and moving parts in a fast-paced environment.
Comfort working independently while also leading through collaboration and delegation.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling organizational information.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Experience in event operations, logistics, administration, nonprofit work, project coordination, or a related field is an asset.
The ability to maintain a professional and adaptable demeanour, remain calm under pressure, and stay solutions-focused.
Understanding of community-based or multicultural environments is an asset.
Additional Opportunity Information: 
The ideal Board candidate brings operational discipline, good judgment, and genuine enthusiasm for community and culture. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can see the big picture while also making sure the details are not missed. This role is suited for someone who: Creates order out of complexity and enjoys building practical systems. Is proactive and dependable, with strong follow-through. Communicates clearly and keeps people aligned around deadlines and responsibilities. Remains calm and solutions-focused when plans change. Understands that successful festivals depend on teamwork, preparation, and accountability. Cares about creating a welcoming, inclusive, and professionally delivered community experience.

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