Position: Manager/Sr. Manager, Game Entertainment and Special Events – Full Time/Exempt
Department: Marketing – Game Entertainment and Special Events
Reports to: Director, Game Entertainment and Special Events
Location: Arizona Cardinals (Tempe, AZ) NOTE: Starting 2028, this role will be based at the new Arizona Cardinals Training Facility in north Phoenix, AZ (https://www.azcardinals.com/news/new-arizona-cardinals-practice-facility-on-target-for-opening-in-2028).
Format: In-person
Note: Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of a student or employment Visas (including, but not limited to F-1, M-1, J-1, H-1B, OPT and/or CPT programs, etc.).
Cardinals Organizational Summary:
The Arizona Cardinals Football Club is a professional football team within the National Football League (NFL). We compete in the National Football Conference (NFC) West division and call State Farm Stadium, in Glendale, Arizona, our home.
As one of the oldest pro football franchises in the U.S., the Club has established itself as a sport and cultural hallmark within Arizona, as well as a trailblazer for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives and firsts around the League. Our vision is to build a leading sports organization that competes for championships, drives business results, creates loyal fans, develops proud employees, and inspires hope in our community. We are relentless in our pursuit of greatness on and off the field, while positively impacting our people, our fans, and our community.
If you want to join an organization that values putting the team first, doing what is right, growing with positivity, valuing every voice, while driving performance, we would love for you to join our team. Learn more about the Arizona Cardinals and see what’s happening here (https://www.azcardinals.com/community/).
Summary:
The Manager/Sr. Manager, Game Entertainment & Special Events supports the execution of the Arizona Cardinals' gameday entertainment strategy and fan-facing events. Reporting to the Director, Game Entertainment & Special Events, this role manages the day-to-day planning, coordination, and execution of home game presentation elements and live events.
The Manager/Sr. Manager serves as the operational lead for gameday entertainment and special events, ensuring all production elements, talent, vendors, timelines, and logistics are executed at a best-in-class level. This position works cross-functionally with Marketing, Creative, Partnerships, Community Relations, Stadium Operations, and external partners to deliver memorable fan experiences that align with organizational objectives and the club's brand.
Primary Job Duties:
The Manager/Sr. Manager, Game Entertainment & Special Events role will have daily responsibilities including, without limitation, to the following:
- Game Entertainment & Presentation
- Manage the day-to-day planning and execution of Cardinals home game entertainment and presentation elements, including; run of show, in-game features, talent and host management, music and DJ coordination, halftime and pregame entertainment, fan prompts and crowd engagement moments, special ceremonies and themed game experiences, and sponsor integrations
- Develop creative concepts that elevate the live fan experience and align with the club's brand identity and seasonal campaigns
- Develop and maintain production timelines, scripts, cue sheets, rehearsal schedules, and operational documents
- Partner closely with the production team and partners to ensure seamless execution of all entertainment elements
- Coordinate gameday staff scheduling, training, communication, and payroll processes
- Identify new trends, technologies, and fan engagement opportunities to continuously evolve the in-stadium experience
- Collaborate closely with the Creative department on graphic look and feel, video content, theme games, and NFL initiatives
- Events & Fan Experiences
- Lead operational planning and execution for fan-facing events, including; draft and local watch party events, training camp, annual Red & White Practice, fan festivals, high school honors award show, season ticket member events, special announcements, and other club celebrations
- Develop event plans, timelines, staffing schedules, vendor requirements, and event-day logistics
- Coordinate with internal departments and external partners to ensure successful event execution
- Manage event setup, breakdown, credentialing, transportation, and other operational requirements
- Talent & Partner Management
- Manage relationships with entertainment vendors, agencies, performers, emcees, anthem singers, and specialty acts
- Work closely with Corporate Partnerships to integrate and execute sponsor-related entertainment elements and contractual obligations
- Track deliverables and ensure partner integrations are executed accurately and on schedule
- Leadership & Administration
- Provide day-to-day leadership for coordinators, interns, part-time staff, and gameday personnel
- Develop and maintain project timelines, operational documentation, event recaps, and post-event evaluations
- Assist with departmental budgeting, expense tracking, vendor negotiations and management, and forecasting
- Collect and analyze fan feedback, attendance data, and event performance metrics to identify opportunities for improvement
- Support the Director, Game Entertainment & Special Events with department initiatives and strategic projects as assigned
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications/Requirements:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Marketing, Communications, Event Management, or related field
- Experience: At least 5 - 8 or more years of experience in live event production, sports entertainment, game presentation, or event management, preferably within professional sports or large-scale entertainment properties
- Strong understanding of NFL or other sport gameday operations and live production environments
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines
- Exceptional organizational, communication, and leadership skills
- Experience managing agencies, vendors, and entertainment talent preferred
- Knowledge of standard major broadcast control room equipment and operations preferred
- Knowledge of sports production software, scripting, and live show execution is a plus
- Creative thinker with a passion for live entertainment and fan engagement
- Collaborative and solutions-oriented leader
- Strong attention to detail with the ability to thrive in high-pressure environments
- Deep understanding of sports culture, fan behavior, and entertainment trends
- Innovative mindset focused on creating memorable experiences that drive emotional connection with fans
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays; hours may vary depending on business needs
- Must complete all pre-employment forms and successfully pass a background check
Cardinals Benefits/Perks Summary:
The Arizona Cardinals Football Club has developed a comprehensive benefits package that provides economic and inclusive benefits to full-time employees. The Cardinals benefits offer care, protection, and support for employees and their loved ones. The Cardinals organization encourages an environment that is conducive to living a healthy, productive, and flexible lifestyle.
Benefits and Perks include, but are not limited to:
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance options; effective the first day of hire
- 401 (k) retirement option with employer match contribution
- Paid Time Off Accruals (including sick time accruals)
- Paid Time Off for most Federal holidays
- Time off for Maternity, Paternity, Military, and Bereavement
- MDLIVE: 24/7 medical support
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) & Health Care Saving Account options
- Discounts on Cardinals gear & paraphernalia
- Tuition reimbursement & Professional Growth opportunities
- Daily free lunch
- Complimentary season tickets
- Subsidized gym memberships
The Arizona Cardinals Football Club is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
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Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
