Events Lead - NBA LATAM & Canada

WORK OPTION: Hybrid

The NBA's international offices are dedicated to expanding the league's global strategy to grow the game of basketball in Latin America (LATAM) and Canada. This includes organizing and hosting NBA events, developing sponsorship opportunities with regional businesses, collaborating with local licensees on merchandising strategies, creating international content packages opportunities, and overseeing public and media relations in the region. Based in Brazil, this role will work closely with all NBA LATAM and Canada business units to design, plan, and execute NBA events across the LATAM and Canada region, with a primary focus on Mexico and Brazil, while identifying new business opportunities and platforms for cross-functional teams to leverage.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify growth opportunities in existing events to enhance fan engagement and create business opportunities through strategic partnerships, content creation, and fan programs.
• Collaborate with the Heads of Operation, Strategy, and the different revenue departments to develop new monetization strategies for NBA LATAM and Canada partners and explore innovative event models and opportunities for sponsors, media, promoters, and government partners.
• Assess and provide guidance on the types of events and platforms for the LATAM and Canada region based on market insights, country opportunities, league priorities, fan interest, and business potential.
• Lead the planning and execution of major events, focusing on Mexico, Brazil and Canada, including NBA official games, youth programs, fan festivals, hospitality events, watch parties, content creation and concerts.
• Manage event planning, including identifying potential event promoters, partners and government entities in target markets; negotiate partnership terms with agencies and promoters; develop and manage budgets, track event costs, assess contracts, and negotiate favorable terms with vendors, while ensuring compliance with local regulations and permits.
• Lead negotiations with key internal stakeholders to justify budgets and secure resources, as well as with regional promoters and agencies to ensure the successful execution of large-scale programs.
• Coordinate closely with venues, promoters, and government entities to oversee staffing, logistics, and deliverables.
• Work cross-functionally with marketing, fan engagement, sponsorship, and other teams to support ticket sales and marketing initiatives and maximize value for current and potential partners.
• Report on event performance, including KPIs, budgets, and evaluations.
• Serve as the primary contact for the Operations and Finance team and maintain close communication with event teams in the NJ/NY offices.

Required Skills/Knowledge

• Proven experience in entertainment/sports marketing and event management, with expertise in leading the design, planning, development, and execution of events and platforms within dynamic, results-driven environments.
• Deep understanding of event marketing, experiential marketing, media, brand management, and promotions, from concept creation to execution.
• Creative and innovative thinker who can identify new business opportunities and enhance NBA's relevance in key markets, particularly Mexico, Brazil and Canada.
• Comprehensive expertise in the operational models of events across different countries, ensuring successful execution in diverse cultural and logistical settings.
• Exceptional leadership and people management skills, with the ability to influence, motivate, and manage teams and direct/indirect reports across multiple time zones, including third-party agencies and vendors.
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to plan budgets and allocate resources efficiently to meet financial objectives.
• Detail-oriented and highly organized, capable of maintaining focus amidst shifting priorities.
• Ability to thrive under tight deadlines, utilizing creative problem-solving skills to manage high-pressure, fast-paced environments.
• Adaptable and flexible, able to adjust to evolving situations and a constantly changing environment.
• Superior decision-making and judgment, with a demonstrated ability to assess complex situations and drive impactful outcomes.
• Strong multitasking abilities, managing multiple concurrent projects while consistently meeting deadlines, and demonstrating high delegation skills to effectively distribute responsibilities without losing track of progress and overall project status.
• Expertise in project management, including effectively implementing techniques to ensure successful completion.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to influence and resolve issues effectively.
• Self-motivated and goal-oriented, able to work independently while driving results.
• Collaborative team player, skilled at building and maintaining strong internal and external relationships.
• Portuguese native and fluency in English are required; additional language skills (Spanish) is highly desirable.
• Willingness to travel extensively, both domestically and internationally.

Required Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, sports management, advertising, communications or a related field is required.
• A minimum of 8-10 years of professional experience entertainment/sports marketing and event management, including the design, planning, and execution of events in fast-paced, results-driven environments.
• At least 5 years of experience in a leadership or senior management role, overseeing cross-functional teams and complex projects.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, capable of leading teams across multiple time zones.
• Experience in working with global or international brands, particularly in the sports or entertainment sectors, with expertise in diverse international markets.
• Ability to identify new business opportunities and enhance NBA’s presence in key markets, especially Mexico, Brazil and Canada.
• Strong knowledge of event and experiential marketing, media, brand management, and promotions from concept to execution, including virtual and digital activations that engage audiences through emerging technologies.
• Financial expertise in budget management and resource allocation to optimize event outcomes and meet financial goals.
• Extensive experience managing events across diverse cultural and logistical landscapes.
• Strong experience in collaborating with broadcast, digital, and social media outlets to enhance event coverage and audience reach.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to thrive under tight deadlines and shifting priorities.
• Adaptable and skilled at making sound decisions in dynamic environments.
• Strong multitasking, project management, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and resolve issues.
• Self-motivated, goal-oriented, and collaborative team player, with a focus on building strong relationships.
• Native Portuguese speaker, fluent in English; Spanish proficiency preferred.
• Willingness to travel extensively, both domestically and internationally.

Salary Range:  

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 NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball.  Built around five professional sports leagues:  the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 215 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents.  NBA rosters at the start of the 2021-22 season featured a record 121 international players from 40 countries.  NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass.  The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with 2.1 billion likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player platforms.  Through NBA Cares, the league addresses important social issues by working with internationally recognized youth-serving organizations that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.