Project Lead

Job Description

Project Lead Location: London / HybridContract Type: Full-timeAbout SelaSela is a dynamic creator of spectacular experiences across the sports and entertainment industries. Building on a world-class reputation and recent international success across London and Los Angeles, we have established a global office in London to develop and deliver world-leading projects outside the Middle East. Our ambition is to build a global portfolio of sports and entertainment properties, providing commercial, operational, creative, and strategic expertise.Position OverviewWe are seeking a high-calibre Project Lead to direct the end-to-end operational and commercial delivery of multiple concurrent live events, brand activations, and strategic projects.Operating within a fast-paced programme architecture, this role assumes operational ownership of individual project workstreams from initial scoping and feasibility through to on-site execution. Working in close partnership with the Programme Director, the Project Lead ensures seamless operational alignment across internal business units, third-party agencies, and brand stakeholders upholding rigorous standards of financial governance, operational safety, and client experience.The ideal candidate brings extensive multi-project delivery expertise across the sports, live entertainment, or experiential agency sectors, demonstrating the commercial discipline and operational agility required to navigate complex stakeholder environments.Key Responsibilities1. Concurrent Multi-Project DeliveryEnd-to-End Operational Ownership: Direct the lifecycle of multiple complex projects simultaneously, guaranteeing adherence to agreed scopes, critical milestones, budgets, and brand standards.Master Critical Paths: Build, govern, and maintain integrated project schedules, resource allocations, and contingency frameworks, proactively mitigating cross-project timeline collisions.Operational Accountability: Serve as the designated project-level escalation point, maintaining open communication channels with the Programme Director on programme-level risks and structural dependencies.Quality Assurance: Standardise delivery processes across all active workstreams to protect brand equity and ensure high-touch experiential consistency.2. Planning, Production & Live ExecutionOperational Architecture: Lead technical and logistical planning from initial client brief through to live activation, overseeing production schedules, venue access, operational staffing, and supplier workflows.On-Site Operational Leadership: Direct on-the-ground delivery for major events, serving as the central incident lead and real-time operational troubleshooter.Continuous Improvement: Lead structured post-event debriefs, KPI evaluations, and reconciliation audits to capture insights and refine future operating models.3. Commercial Control & Financial GovernanceBudget Ownership: Exercise full operational oversight of individual project P&Ls, tracking actuals against forecasts, controlling variances, and submitting regular financial status reports to leadership.Reconciliation & Compliance: Supervise thorough, timely commercial reconciliations in alignment with central Finance and Procurement requirements.Contractual Realisation: Ensure all commercial scope commitments and client deliverables agreed at greenlight are strictly delivered within operational margins.4. Stakeholder Relations & Supply Chain ManagementVendor & Partner Governance: Lead negotiations, briefings, and performance management for specialist suppliers, technical production partners, and freelance crews, maximising preferred supplier frameworks.External Client & Rights-Holder Relations: Cultivate trust-based working relationships with corporate clients, rights holders, venues, and governing bodies, instilling confidence through rigorous execution.Cross-Functional Synergy: Interface with internal Creative, Commercial, Strategy, and Legal divisions to ensure unified delivery.5. Governance, Risk & ReportingPMO Standards: Maintain project documentation, risk registries, and decision logs in compliance with central Project Management Office (PMO) guidelines.Executive Status Reporting: Provide structured, data-informed status reports highlighting delivery milestones, financial performance, and emerging risk profiles.Statutory Compliance: Enforce strict adherence to health, safety, licensing, and corporate governance standards across all sites and operational setups.6. Team Leadership & Talent DevelopmentTeam Direction: Guide, mentor, and direct Project Coordinators and Executives, setting clear performance expectations and operational benchmarks.On-Site Crew Management: Lead diverse freelance and operational teams during build, live, and strike phases, fostering a safe, collaborative, and high-performance culture.Candidate Profile & QualificationsExperience & Technical Skills:Proven Track Record: 5–7+ years of progressive project or event management experience within premier sports properties, major entertainment ventures, or top-tier experiential agencies.Portfolio Delivery: Demonstrated track record of delivering multiple concurrent projects valued in the mid-to-high six-figure bracket on time and within margin.Technical Production Acumen: Working knowledge of live event infrastructure, technical staging, venue logistics, health & safety frameworks (including SAG/licensing awareness), and crowd circulation.Commercial Acumen: Strong proficiency in budget creation, real-time cost control, and project reconciliation.Supply Chain Leadership: Skilled in commercial negotiation, scope management, and contractor accountability.Core Competencies:Structured & Analytical: Highly organized with an ability to parse complex operational dependencies and prioritise effectively under pressure.Executive Presence: Articulate, persuasive communicator capable of presenting effectively to senior clients and enterprise stakeholders.Calm Crisis Leadership: Demonstrates composure and decisive decision-making during high-stakes live environments.Operational Flexibility: Willingness to work irregular hours, weekends, and travel nationally/internationally as dictated by event schedules.Equal Opportunity StatementWe are committed to creating an inclusive, diverse, and equitable work environment. All employment decisions are based on merit, competence, and business need.