Director of Events, Promotions & Fan Experience
Are you a creative, strategic leader who knows that the best fan experiences don't just happen? They are thoughtfully planned, exceptionally executed, and continuously improved.
We are looking for a Director of Events, Promotions & Fan Experience to lead the strategy and execution of fan-facing experiences across the Toledo Mud Hens, Toledo Walleye, Fifth Third Field, Huntington Center, and Hensville. This role brings together promotions, theme nights, game presentation, entertainment, guest experience, and event readiness to create memorable experiences and Build Fans for Life.
In this role, you'll lead a talented team and work across the organization to turn creative ideas and fan insights into experiences that are engaging, well-planned, and operationally strong. You'll balance creativity with execution, safety, financial stewardship, and an unwavering focus on the fan experience.
You'll be Responsible for:
Leading the Fan experience. Set the vision and standards for exceptional fan and guest experiences across games, events, concerts, festivals, and community programs. Use fan feedback and event observations to identify opportunities to make experiences even better.
Leading and developing the team. Provide direction, coaching, and development to managers and coordinators while creating a culture of accountability, creativity, collaboration, inclusion, and continous improvement.
Driving promotions and theme-night strategy. Lead the development of promotional calendars, theme nights, giveaways, specialty events, and other fan-engagement initiatives for the Toledo Mud Hens and Toledo Walleye.
Overseeing game presentation and entertainment. Provide strategic leadership for the elements that bring our events to life, including scripts, music, video, contests, ceremonies, talent, mascot activity, performers, and fan interaction.
Ensuring event readiness. Lead planning around staffing, communication, operational timelines, contingencies, and venue preparation so teams are aligned and ready to deliver a great experience.
Connecting teams across the organization. Partner closely with Operations, Facilities, Security, Ticketing, Food & Beverage, Arena Management, Corporate Partnerships, Marketing, and others to ensure seamless event execution.
Turning ideas into results. Create disciplined ways to evaluate new ideas based on fan need, brand alignment, feasibility, cost, capacity, accessibility, risk, and expected results, then use post-event learning to continually improve.
Managing resources responsibly. Lead departmental planning, staffing, and resource decisions, budgets, and vendor relationships while balancing creative ambitions with operational and financial realities.
What We're Looking For
You're a strong leader who understands both the magic and the mechanics of live events. You know how to turn a great idea into a great experience and how to bring people together to make it happen.
To be Successful in this role, you'll need:
- 10+ years of progressive experience in live events, professional sports, venue management, hospitality, enteratiment operations, or a related field.
- 5+ years of people-management experience.
- Experience leading and developing employees and managers.
- Experience managing budgets and vendor relationships.
- Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- The ability to build relationships and lead across departments.
- A fan-first mindset and passion for creating memorable experiences.
We are 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.