Brand Activations + Events Manager at Fanatics

Tampa, Florida, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

22 Jul, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

23 Apr, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Event planning, Project management, Budget management, Logistics strategy, Stakeholder management, Experiential marketing, Retail activations, Vendor management, Team leadership, Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, Inventory management, Asset tracking, Strategic planning, Problem-solving, Communication

Industry

Manufacturing

Description

Reporting to the Director of Brand Activation, the Brand Activation & Events Manager is responsible for owning and leading the planning, execution, and optimization of Fanatics and Nike brand events, activations, trade shows, and corporate sales meetings in alignment with overarching marketing strategy. This role drives cross-functional alignment across internal teams and external partners to deliver best-in-class event programs, ensuring a high level of operational excellence and brand execution. The Manager is accountable for end-to-end program delivery, from strategic planning through execution and post-event analysis. Core responsibilities include: * Leading end-to-end event planning, scheduling, and execution across multiple programs * Driving logistics and operational strategy to ensure seamless delivery at scale * Managing and reconciling budgets, with accountability for financial performance and cost efficiencies * Overseeing the development and execution of displays, environments, and branded graphics in alignment with brand standards * Building and managing vendor and partner relationships to ensure quality and consistency * Leading on-site event execution, including oversight of staff, agencies, and partners * Evaluating program performance through ROI, insights, and continuous improvement recommendations This role requires the ability to manage multiple priorities, operate in fast-paced environments, and influence cross-functional teams to deliver against business objectives. Position requires up to 50% travel based on event schedule. This position is based out of the Fanatics Tampa, FL office; remote employment may be considered for a qualified candidate. Principal Duties & Responsibilities The duties and responsibilities outlined below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work expected for this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. The position may require that employees perform other duties as assigned. * Lead the end-to-end execution of a portfolio of events, activations, and retail experiences across Fanatics and Nike business units * Establish event objectives, and success metrics aligned to marketing and business goals * Oversee planning, logistics, and execution across multiple concurrent large-scale activations * Ensure consistency and excellence in execution across all events, elevating overall program quality beyond individual project * Provide clear direction, manage workloads, and ensure team accountability across all projects * Lead by example in high-pressure environments, ensuring composure, problem-solving, and execution excellence * Partner with Director to shape activation strategy, identifying opportunities to enhance fan engagement and retail impact * Recommend innovative experiential concepts, fixture strategies, and event enhancements * Leverage post-event insights, re-cap metrics, and learnings to continuously improve future activations and events * Drive consistency in planning processes, documentation, and standard operating procedures across the team * Serve as point of contact for assigned events to internal stakeholders (Marketing, Merchandising, Sales, Creative, Retail Ops) * Lead alignment across departments to ensure clarity on event strategy, scope, timelines, and deliverables * Manage external agencies, vendors, and fabrication partners to deliver high-quality execution * Own event budgets from planning through reconciliation, ensuring alignment with financial targets with the Director * Review and approve vendor estimates, negotiate costs, and identify efficiencies * Oversee expense tracking, POs, and invoicing processes across all assigned programs * Ensure accurate and timely budget reporting at weekly, monthly, and annual levels * Oversee all event logistics including staffing, shipping, installation, and on-site execution * Act as escalation point for complex operational challenges and real-time issue resolution * Ensure compliance with venue regulations, union labor requirements, and local guidelines * Maintain high standards across displays, graphics, fixtures, and overall brand presentation * Oversee event and asset inventory systems across vendors and storage location * Drive improvements to asset tracking, utilization, and lifecycle management * Ensure readiness and accuracy of all assets for upcoming activations * Recommend improvements to asset management systems and processes Required Qualifications * 5–8+ years of experience in brand marketing with experiential marketing, retail activations, and event management experience * Proven experience leading large-scale events and managing multiple concurrent activations * Prior people management or team leadership experience strongly preferred * Exceptional project management and organizational skills * Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities in fast-paced environments * Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills * Experience managing budgets, vendors, and operational processes * Ability to travel up to 50%, including weekends and evenings as required * Experience in sports marketing, retail environments, or consumer brand activations helpful * Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and/or SketchUp or similar rendering tools * Experience working with inventory management systems (e.g., Airtable or similar platforms) * Strong understanding of retail fixtures, event production, and experiential design Education Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, Sports Marketing, or equivalent experience preferred Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally. Fanatics Commerce is a leading designer, manufacturer, and seller of licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods. It operates a vertically-integrated platform of digital and physical capabilities for leading sports leagues, teams, colleges, and associations globally – as well as its flagship site, www.fanatics.com. Fanatics Commerce has a broad range of online, sports venue, and vertical apparel partnerships worldwide, including comprehensive partnerships with leading leagues, teams, colleges, and sports organizations across the world—including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, Formula 1, and Australian Football League (AFL); the Dallas Cowboys, Golden State Warriors, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Chelsea FC, and Tokyo Giants; the University of Notre Dame, University of Alabama, and University of Texas; the International Olympic Committee (IOC), England Rugby, and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). At Fanatics Commerce, we infuse our BOLD Leadership Principles in everything we do: · Build Championship Teams · Obsessed with Fans · Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit · Determined and Relentless Mindset

Responsibilities

The manager is responsible for leading the end-to-end planning, execution, and optimization of brand events, activations, and trade shows. They must drive cross-functional alignment, manage budgets, and oversee operational logistics to ensure high-quality brand execution.