At Fanatics Commerce, we’re more than just a leader in licensed sports merchandise – we’re a team united by a relentless passion for our fans and a commitment to innovation. We live by our BOLD Leadership principles: We Build Championship Teams, we’re Obsessed with Fans, we embrace a Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit, and we approach every challenge with a Determined and Relentless Mindset. If you’re ready to contribute to a dynamic, fast-paced environment that thrives on collaboration and growth, we want you to be part of our team.
ROLE OVERVIEW
Reporting to the Director of Brand Activation, the Sr. Manager leads the strategy, execution, and evolution of a portfolio of high-impact brand activations, retail experiences, trade shows, and corporate events across Fanatics and key partner brands including Nike, NFL, MLB, NHL, and collegiate programs.
This role operates at a portfolio and team leadership level, driving consistency, scalability, and innovation while ensuring best-in-class execution.
HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT:
Key Accountability Areas:
• Own a portfolio of activations across business units and seasons
• Shape activation strategy and elevate fan engagement models
• Lead and develop team members
• Drive operational excellence and scalable processes
• Oversee budget strategy and financial performance across programs
Leadership & Strategy
• Lead end-to-end strategy and execution of events and activations
• Partner with Director on activation strategy and roadmaps
• Establish KPIs aligned to business goals
• Enhance fan engagement and brand storytelling
Program Oversight & Execution Excellence
• Oversee multiple large-scale activations
• Drive frameworks and process improvements
• Act as escalation point for operational challenges
• Maintain execution excellence under pressure
Team Leadership & Development
• Manage Managers, Sr. Specialists, and Specialists
• Provide direction and accountability
• Coach team members
• Support performance management and succession planning
Cross-Functional & Stakeholder Leadership
• Serve as senior stakeholder contact
• Align cross-functional teams
• Influence program outcomes
• Partner with agencies and vendors
Budget Ownership & Financial Oversight
• Oversee budgets and financial performance
• Drive cost efficiencies
• Approve vendor estimates
• Ensure accurate forecasting and reporting
Operational Excellence & Logistics
• Oversee logistics, staffing, and execution
• Ensure compliance with regulations
• Improve workflows
• Maintain high brand standards
Asset & Inventory Management
• Oversee asset strategy
• Enhance tracking systems
• Ensure asset readiness
• Standardize asset usage
Performance Measurement & Continuous Improvement
• Lead post-event recaps and insights
• Translate insights into improvements
• Establish benchmarks
• Drive continuous improvement culture
WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM:
• 7–10+ years in brand, experiential, or event marketing
• Experience leading large-scale events
• Strong leadership and team management
• Strategic thinking and execution alignment
• Excellent project management skills
• Advanced problem-solving ability
• Strong communication and stakeholder management
• Experience managing budgets and vendors
• Ability to travel up to 50%
Preferred Experience
• Sports or retail marketing experience
• Adobe Creative Suite or SketchUp
• Inventory systems such as Airtable
Education
Bachelor’s degree in relevant field or equivalent experience
At Fanatics, we value transparency and honesty. If you don’t meet every single requirement, that’s okay – we still want to hear from you! We believe in the power of diverse experiences and talents. If you’re excited about the role and confident that you can contribute, don’t hesitate to apply. We’re genuinely interested in how your unique skills and perspective can help us build something amazing together.
The salary for this position is $125,000 which represents base pay only and does not include short-term or long-term incentive compensation. When determining base pay, as part of a final compensation package, we consider several factors such as location, experience, qualifications, and training.
WHERE YOU’LL WORK AND WHAT’S REQUIRED:
• Hybrid work environment with flexibility between 3 days in office and 2 days remote work or full-time remote where appropriate.
• Fast-paced team environment with exposure to multiple aspects of the Fanatics Commerce business.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU:
• Culture: Join a team where you're surrounded by top-tier talent, driven by a shared passion to relentlessly enhance the fan experience. With a focus on collaboration, support, and continuous development, you’ll be empowered to help shape a culture that celebrates both individual and team successes.
• Benefits: We provide a wide range of health, financial, legal, and development assistance, including wellness programs with fitness and weight management partners, paid maternity paternity leave, and infertility treatment. Additionally, we offer flexible time off to help you recharge, along with a competitive 401k plan to support your financial future. At Fanatics, we’re dedicated to supporting you in all aspects of work and life.
About Company
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<http://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
Company
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.