Senior Director, Look & Signage

The Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games will be hosted in Los Angeles, California in 2028, returning to the United States for the first time in over 30 years. 2028 will be the first time LA hosts the Paralympic Games, creating an opportunity to expand awareness, understanding and inclusion of people with disabilities.

LA28, the organizers for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, is on a mission to create an unparalleled Games experience for athletes, fans, partners, our community and our people. Our vision is to collectively create what’s next through sport, community and the power of our differences.

The 2028 Olympics and Paralympics will represent LA and leverage the strength of our community’s diversity and creativity as we collectively work to design a Games that we all want to be a part of. We do this by focusing on people and by inviting everyone into the story of the LA28 Games.

The LA28 organizing committee is an independent, non-profit organization that is privately funded and governed by a board of directors. 

Our Vision is to collectively create what’s next by harnessing sport, community and the power of our differences. Our Mission is to create an unparalleled Paralympic and Olympic Games for athletes, fans, partners, our community and our people.

Values and Behaviors:

• Optimism – Embody a positive, enthusiastic, and solution-oriented attitude in everything we do; challenge the status quo, inspire and support one another to achieve our best; have our eyes on the future and believe we can make a meaningful impact
• Integrity – We communicate openly and honestly, listen, and respectfully value multiple perspectives; we do what we say and are accountable for everything we do; we do the right thing, always. Even when it isn’t easy
• Excellence – We hold ourselves to the highest standard and expectations; we live our values and truths and persevere through challenges; we are continuous learners and adapt and pivot with speed to meet changing needs
• Inclusion – We seek to represent, include, empower and level the playing field; our work reflects the communities we serve and the world in which we live; we leverage our platforms to bring awareness to issues relevant to who we are
• Co-Creation – We are authors of a shared story. Everyone contributes their unique voice to our shared mission; we share pride in our accomplishments and ownership of our shortcomings
• Boldness – We embrace creativity, courage and outside-the-box thinking; we are unafraid to take risks, explore unconventional solutions, and learn from the process; we are innovators, disruptors, and challengers of the status quo

Senior Director, Look & Signage

Since winning the bid to host the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, LA28 has been redefining expectations with a bold and innovative brand. The Senior Director, Look and Signage, will lead the next phase of this creative journey, bringing the LA28 brand to life in venues, on the field of play, at live events, throughout Los Angeles, and beyond. 

This role requires deep expertise in environmental graphic design, wayfinding, and signage systems for large scale events. The Senior Director will build an inspiring brand experience for fans and athletes, whether attending in person or watching remotely. They will navigate complex stakeholder needs to develop field-of-play and venue designs that highlight athletes, engage audiences, and meet international standards. Additionally, they will develop a sophisticated wayfinding system that stands out against the busy backdrop of the Games, ensuring safe and efficient navigation for all. 

The Senior Director will oversee the development and delivery of innovative creative applications across print, digital, out-of-home, broadcast, and other mediums. They will lead a team of internal designers and provide strategic direction to external creative partners. Strong communication and relationship-building skills will be essential to align diverse stakeholders around the creative vision and drive enthusiasm as the program evolves.

Reporting to the VP, Brand Design & Look of the Games/Executive Design Director, the Senior Director will collaborate closely with the Senior Director, Brand Design, and leaders across various departments including Venues & Infrastructure, Sport, Sport Presentation, Broadcast, Marketing & Digital Media, Commercial and Consumer Products, Sustainability, and Finance. Additionally, they will serve as a representative of LA28 to governing bodies and external stakeholders within the broader Olympic and Paralympic Movement.

This position is a rare opportunity for a seasoned leader in environmental graphic design, wayfinding, and signage to contribute to the largest sporting event in the world. The ideal candidate will bring vision, expertise, and creativity to shape the visual identity of a global brand with deep historical significance.

Key Responsibilities:

Design Leadership

• Oversee the design direction and development of the LA28 Look Kit of Parts and Wayfinding & Signage Kit of Parts.
• Provide clear and constructive feedback during internal design reviews to ensure creative work aligns with briefs and delivers on objectives.
• Lead internal design reviews and provide clear and objective critiques of creative output and how it delivers on or falls short of the brief

Team Building

• Recruit and develop best-in-class talent to grow an internal team responsible for managing the development and application of the Look of the Games and Games signage.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and professional growth among team members.

Vendor & Partner Management

• Identify and hire leading partner agencies to support the application of Look of the Games graphic overlays and signage systems.

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Partner with the Head of Project Management to create and implement a program roadmap that ensures the timely delivery of all projects from concept to installation.
• Anticipate and address environmental, economic, technological, and social changes to optimize the Look of the Games program.

Stakeholder Alignment

• Align and coordinate requirements with key internal and external stakeholders, including Sport, International Federations, Olympic Broadcasting Service, Press, Venues & Infrastructure, city officials, vendors, and LA28 executives.
• Maintain an active dialogue with the IOC and IPC regarding Look of the Games progress and milestones.

Innovation & Sustainability

• Proactively identify opportunities for innovation in approach, materials, and processes to improve efficiency, enhance sustainability, and optimize budgets.

Leadership & Management

• Operate at a highly visible strategic level, managing a growing creative team, a complex portfolio of projects, and strict deadlines.

Background & Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in design, architecture, live sporting events or related field--with direct oversight for large-scale project planning and development, concept ideation, system building, budget creation and management, scheduling, and delivery
• Compelling portfolio of distinctive work in large scale environmental graphic branding projects
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy, and high standards for quality and finishing
• Demonstrated record of on-time and on-budget delivery of major design projects
• Games, mega-event, or venue design planning and delivery experience is an asset
• Understanding of event look scope development, materials, systems, production, and installation methods
• Ability to translate broad design vision into clear guidelines and detailed Kit of Parts
• Able to read and summarize construction drawings, aerial photos, and contour mapping to produce actionable design guidance and direction
• Strong presentation and negotiation skills
• Experience building and nurturing a diverse, multi-disciplinary creative team
• Experience leading partner agencies and vendors through application
• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work across all functions and at all levels of the organization, including outside partners, venue owners/representatives, and suppliers.
• Excellent organization, time-management, administrative, and computer skills

Position Requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, architecture or related field or equivalent work experience

Expectations:

• Innovative Approach – Ability to identify opportunities, develop new ideas and execute on concepts while managing to a budget and fixed timelines
• Influencing Skills - Ability to drive organizational alignment through collaboration
• Deep commitment to centering the tenets of diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout all facets of work
• Flexible Approach – Ability to roll with the transitional nature of the organization as it grows and establishes itself over the next 4 years
• Challenger Mindset – Inclination to drive ongoing improvement in people and process
• Digital Acumen – Fluency in established digital design tools and practices coupled with an understanding of emerging technologies and how and when to engage them

Submission Requirements:

• Resume

The annual base salary range for this position is $175,000-$200,000. The pay scale provided is the range that LA28 reasonably expects to pay as starting base compensation for this role. All LA28 compensation remains subject to final determination based on individual candidate qualifications, experience, or other reasonable criteria consistent with LA28’s operational business needs and applicable law.

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance.

LA28 is committed to operating fair and unbiased recruitment procedures allowing all applicants an equal opportunity for employment, free from discrimination on the basis of religion, race, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, color, ethnic or national origin, or any other classification as may be protected by applicable law. We strive to build a team that is diverse, inclusive and encourages qualified candidates of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities to apply. We will consider all qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with local law. We assess applications based on relevant skills, education, and experience a candidate can add to our team.