Activation Manager, Events
Front Office Sports
Administration
New York, NY, USA
USD 80k-100k / year
Posted on Mar 30, 2026
Front Office Sports is looking for an Activation Manager to own the end-to-end execution of sponsor and brand activations across our growing event portfolio.
This role sits within the Events team and operates cross-functionally alongside Sales, Account Management, Partnership Marketing, Editorial, and Multimedia— serving as the connective tissue between what sponsors are sold and what audiences experience on the ground.
The ideal candidate brings a strong background in experiential marketing or a fast paced agency environment, demonstrates exceptional attention to detail, and effectively manages multiple sponsors and stakeholders without letting anything fall through the cracks. This individual is equally comfortable leading pre production planning and solving real time challenges onsite, with a consistent focus on delivering activations that exceed contractual obligations and create a lasting brand impression.
- Application Deadline
- May 31, 2026
- Department
- Events
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Location
- New York, New York
- Workplace type
- Hybrid
- Compensation
- $80,000 - $100,000 / year
- Reporting To
- VP, Events
Key Responsibilities
Activation Planning & Execution
- Lead end-to-end execution of sponsor and brand activations across FOS franchise and tentpole events
- Build and maintain detailed activation timelines, run-of-show documents, and production schedules for each event
- Develop activation plans and creative briefs in partnership with Partnership Marketing and Creative teams to ensure cohesive, brand-forward experiences
- Oversee on-site execution of all activations, serving as the primary point of accountability for quality control and real-time problem-solving
Sponsor & Client Management
- Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for sponsor execution— managing expectations, tracking deliverables, and maintaining proactive communication throughout the campaign lifecycle
- Ensure all activations fulfill contractual obligations, adhere to brand guidelines, and are positioned to exceed sponsor campaign objectives
- Build strong sponsor relationships that support retention and upsell opportunities in partnership with the Account Management team
Vendor & Budget Management
- Source, vet, and manage external vendors (production, fabrication, A/V, staffing, etc.), including RFP processes, contract negotiation, and budget tracking
- Maintain accurate budget reconciliation across all activations, flagging variances and proactively managing costs
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Coordinate closely with Events, Sales, Account Management, Partnership Marketing, Editorial, and Multimedia teams to ensure seamless integration of sponsor activations across all touch points
Measurement & Reporting
- Lead post-event activation recaps, including delivery against contractual assets, performance insights, and actionable recommendations for future activations
- Track activation metrics and contribute to broader sponsor reporting in collaboration with Account Management
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
- 5 - 7 years of experience in experiential marketing, sponsorship activation, event production, or a related agency environment
- Proven track record owning end-to-end activation execution— from pre-event planning through on-site delivery and post-event wrap
- Strong project management skills with the ability to run multiple activations and sponsor relationships simultaneously in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment
- Excellent client-facing communication skills; experience managing sponsor or partner expectations and navigating ambiguity with confidence
- Experience sourcing and managing vendors, negotiating contracts, and budgets
- Highly detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and the ability to build clear, scalable processes
- Collaborative and solutions-oriented mindset; comfortable working cross-functionally and adapting quickly in a fast-moving environment
- Willingness to travel and work non-traditional hours including evenings and weekends as events require
- Understanding of integrated marketing and how live events connect to broader sponsor campaign strategy
- Experience in sports, media, or entertainment environments
- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Event Management, or a related field preferred
Perks & Benefits
- Generous PTO policy to use as you please, plus sick time and company holidays
- Employer-sponsored health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision
- An annual professional development stipend and endless development opportunities at a growing startup
- Plan for your future with our 401(k) plan, complemented by a 3% company match. We believe in supporting your long-term financial goals
- Thrive in a dynamic environment with endless development opportunities at our growing startup
About Front Office Sports
Front Office Sports (FOS) is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the business of sports.
Front Office Sports is the category leader in scale and engagement, with an audience that delivers more than 150 million social impressions, 35 million newsletter opens, 10 million video views, and two million page views each month. In addition, with over 15 distribution partners, FOS content appears on screens in more than 50,000 buildings and venues across North America.
Front Office Sports is backed by RedBird IMI, a joint venture between RedBird Capital Partners, a New York-based private equity firm founded and led by Gerry Cardinale, and International Media Investments (IMI), a global media company based in Abu Dhabi.
In 2021, Front Office Sports was named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies. In 2022 and 2024, Front Office Sports was named 'Hottest in Sports' on AdWeek’s Media Hot List. In 2023, Front Office Sports was named to the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America.
Compensation at Front Office Sports
At Front Office Sports, we approach compensation with fairness and transparency. Each role has a salary range that reflects the responsibilities of the position, the current market, and the value we place on experience and skills. Where a candidate falls within that range depends on several factors, including their background, expertise, and location. Decisions about final offers are made based on these variables, but inclusion in the range does not guarantee an offer at the top end.
Compensation at Front Office Sports
At Front Office Sports, we approach compensation with fairness and transparency. Each role has a salary range that reflects the responsibilities of the position, the current market, and the value we place on experience and skills. Where a candidate falls within that range depends on several factors, including their background, expertise, and location. Decisions about final offers are made based on these variables, but inclusion in the range does not guarantee an offer at the top end.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Front Office Sports is an equal opportunity employer and enthusiastically encourages people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to apply. We will consider all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
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