Events Lead, WNBA

WORK OPTION:  ​​​​​​​In-Office 4 days/week in New York, NY

The NBA is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace. To safeguard our employees and their families, our visitors, and the broader community from COVID-19, and in consideration of recommendations from health authorities and the NBA’s own advisors, any individual working onsite in our New York and New Jersey offices must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The NBA will discuss accommodations for individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.

Position Summary:
This role will support the design, build and execution of immersive live events and tentpole moments that acquire new fans, generate content, maximize revenue and amplify the WNBA brand. This role will work in lock- step with the NBA Enterprise Events team but sit as a dedicated WNBA point of contact and decision-maker. This role will lead the WNBA Events Operations function and will work day-to-day with the NBA Events team and WNBA Marketing and Growth teams. Your mission is to serve as a point guard within the WNBA and across a matrix NBA organization (e.g. Events, Basketball Operations, Partnerships, Marketing, PR, Digital Media, Programming, Content Production, Social Responsibility) to define event success metrics, work with Global Partnerships of sponsored events, and manage execution details.

WNBA events under this scope include:

1. WNBA Draft (annually)
2. WNBA All Star (annually)
3. WNBA Live (fan fest during WNBA All Star weekend)
4. WNBA Partner space and summit (during WNBA All Star weekend)
5. WNBA Commissioner’s Cup (annually)
6. WNBA Playoffs and Finals 
7. WNBA International Game (locations TBD each year)

Major Responsibilities:
•    Lead event operations team that manage and coordinate all operational functions at WNBA tentpole events including cross-functional teams of people assigned to an event, providing direction and resources to ensure clarity of roles and successful event operation 
•    Collaborates with other department supervisors and/or external vendors to schedule and plan work assignments based on event requirements and other requested services
•    Builds and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal and external partners to ensure adequate staffing, space, facilities, and other services as needed across all events 
•    Works closely with senior leadership to improve marketability and profitability of events 
•    Manage the master planning/block planning process for our major tentpole events
•    Management and balancing of multi-million-dollar event operations budgets across numerous events, developing and executing both sides of the event P&L and creating ancillary revenue streams and cost-cutting measures that maximize operating income
•    Creation and management of RFPs and the process needed to identify and fill key business roles and tasks in support of WNBA tentpoles
•    Management of key vendors contracted to support event operations at League events
•    Lead the strategy and development of the WNBA's new host city bid and selection process for WNBA All Star weekend
•    Lead on all labor management at major events to help work with vendors, labor force and facilities to ensure all groups work together to build out all necessary facilities and temporary structures in the most efficient manner possible
•    Planning schedule design, implementation and management
•    Work closely and professionally with key stakeholders to ensure all event objectives are clearly articulated, understood, and executed accordingly
•    Develop high-impact presentations to communicate plans and vision across the organization

Required Qualifications:
•    Bachelor’s degree
•    10+ years of live event operations experience
•    6+ years of large-scale event oversight
•    Successfully having managed multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
•    Labor management oversight
•    Proven accomplishments in organization and management of people and processes
•    Ability to lead others and collaborate with a variety of groups at different levels to ensure high performance
•    Strong ability to implement and meet deadlines
•    Experience managing production and event budgets
•    Strong organizational skills
•    Solid writing and communications skills
•    Proactive self-starter who works well within a team, strong interpersonal skills
•    Strong attention to detail – work to anticipate issues in advance
•    Problem solver - ability to not get overwhelmed and solve issues systematically
•    Team player – willing to do whatever tasks necessary to get the job done correctly

Salary Range: [[$140,000 - $160,000]] 

The NBA does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or any other third parties. Any unsolicited resume sent to the NBA will be considered NBA property, and the NBA will not pay a fee should it hire the subject of any unsolicited resume.

The NBA considers applicants for all positions on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs, and without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, alienage or citizenship status, ancestry, marital status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veteran status, familial status, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

About the WNBA
The WNBA is a bold, progressive basketball league that stands for the power of women.  Featuring 12 teams, the W is a unique sports property that combines competition and entertainment with a commitment to diversity and inclusion and social responsibility.  Through its world-class athletes, the in-game fan experience, TV and digital broadcasts, digital and social content and community outreach programs, the league celebrates and elevates the game of basketball and the culture around it.