Event Operations Senior Manager

Seattle Seawolves Rugby; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Paid time off including vacation and S

Paid company holidays

Employee discounts on team merchandise

Complimentary tickets to matches and…

Job summary

The Seattle Seawolves Rugby is seeking an experienced Event Operations Sr. Manager to lead planning and execution of game day operations and team-hosted events, ensuring flawless execution and unforgettable fan experiences.

This hands-on, high-energy role requires exceptional organizational skills, strong communication, and the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure. Expect collaboration with internal teams and partners to deliver on-brand events across match days and community

Qualifications

• 8+ years leading event operations or a related field.
• Proven track record managing game day staff, volunteers, vendors, and part-time teams.
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage dozens of moving pieces without missing a beat.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, coordination, and execution of all Seattle Seawolves home game day operations from pre-game to post-game.
• Plan and manage non-game day events and activations including fan, community, investor and sponsor events.
• Develop game day plans, timelines, staffing assignments, run-of-show documents, and operational checklists.

Skills

Event operations leadership

Staff management

Communication

Problem-solving

Planning & organization

Flexibility under pressure

Education

College degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

AI-enabled tools

Job description

The Seattle Seawolves are seeking a highly organized, proactive, and detail-oriented Event Operations Sr. Manager to lead the planning and execution of game day operations and team-hosted events - turning each one into a seamless, unforgettable Seawolves experience.

We believe game day is where the Seawolves brand comes alive. Every setup, cue, and handoff is a chance to show fans, partners, and players what this club is about - and this role owns making sure it happens flawlessly, every single time.

This role is for someone who thrives in the middle of the action - a strong communicator and natural problem-solver who stays tenaciously positive and calm under pressure, highly planful, and energized by managing multiple priorities at once.

You’ll lead on-site teams, vendors, and staff through clear direction and strong execution - from pre-game setup to post-game breakdown, and from match days to community activations, sponsor events, and everything in between.

This is a hands-on, high-energy role on a growing team. One day you may be walking the venue building a run-of-show; the next, coordinating vendors, training event-day staff, or solving a last-minute curveball two hours before doors open.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of all Seattle Seawolves home game day operations, including pre-game setup, in-game logistics, and post-game breakdown.
• Plan and manage non-game day events and activations, including fan and community events, investor and sponsor events, retail pop ups, and other special team live activations.
• Develop and manage detailed game day plans, timelines, staffing assignments, run-of-show documents, operational checklists, and event maps.
• Recruit, train, schedule, and manage game day and event staff, part-time workers, interns, volunteers, and operational support teams.
• Partner closely with internal and external teams, including ticketing, sponsorship, marketing, merchandise, rugby operations, and venue partners to ensure all parties are well informed and planned for upcoming events.
• Serve as a key on-site operations lead for game/event days, ensuring all teams, venues, partners and vendors understand their roles, timing, responsibilities, and escalation paths well in advance and during events.
• Champion the look and feel of every event, helping develop signage, marketing displays, and layouts that are always on-brand and always ready on time.
• Stay two steps ahead - spotting issues before they happen, solving them in real time, and doing it all with a calm, positive, solutions-first mindset.
• Lead and participate in pre-event planning meetings and post-event debriefs.
• Continuously raise the bar - identifying and implementing improvements that boost efficiency, reduce risk, and elevate the fan and partner experience.

QUALIFICATIONS & KEY ATTRIBUTES

• 8+ years leading event operations, sports operations, live events, venue management, or a related field
• College degree or equivalent relevant professional experience.
• Proven track record managing game day staff, volunteers, vendors, and part-time teams.
• Exceptional organizational skills - you thrive managing dozens of moving pieces without missing a beat.
• Proficiency with professional business and communication tools, including Microsoft Office, Google Workspace and AI-enabled tools.
• A proactive problem-solver who finds the fix before anyone notices the issues
• Strong written and verbal communicator across every level of the organization.
• Flexible and adaptable with ability to stay calm, focused, and decisive when the pressure is on.
• Relentless attention to detail and follow-through
• Collaborative, team-oriented, and service-minded.
• Committed to delivering an excellent experience for every fan, partner, player, and staff member.
• Follows through - commitments made are commitments kept.
• Able to balance big-picture planning with hands-on execution.
• Ready to work nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours during the season and around major events. Seawolves season runs March 1 - Early July, with ~10 home games plus additional events scheduled throughout Summer and Fall.
• Passion for live events, community-building, and creating fan experiences people remember.

THE MINDSET

This role is ideal for someone who thinks: “How do we make this the best event yet?”

We aren’t looking for someone who simply keeps the trains running on time. We’re looking for someone who wants to help build a live event experience that fans, partners, and players are still talking about long after the final whistle.

SCHEDULE & WORK ENVIRONMENT

Professional sports doesn’t operate exclusively Monday through Friday. This position requires flexibility to work Seawolves match days, community events, evenings and weekends throughout the year.

• Must be able to work extended hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Must be able to stand and walk for long periods during events.
• Must be able to lift, move, or transport event-related materials as needed.
• Must be comfortable working in indoor and outdoor event environments, including variable weather conditions.

This is an in-office position based in Seattle, WA. While the role requires working in person with the team, the Seawolves offer flexibility to accommodate individual schedule needs and personal accommodations.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

The Seattle Seawolves offer a competitive benefits package, including paid holidays and paid time off, and a 401(k) retirement plan.

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Paid time off, including vacation and sick leave
• Paid company holidays
• Employee discounts on Seattle Seawolves merchandise
• Complimentary and/or discounted tickets to select Seawolves matches and events
• Professional development and growth opportunities
• Opportunity to work within a growing professional sports organization and play a meaningful role in building the Seawolves brand

ABOUT THE SEATTLE SEAWOLVES

The Seattle Seawolves are a professional rugby organization committed to building a championship-caliber team, growing the sport of rugby, and creating an inclusive, high-energy fan experience for the Seattle community. We are a lean, ambitious team that values collaboration, ownership, direct communication, excellence, and grace.

The Seattle Seawolves are an equal opportunity employer and value a diverse, inclusive workplace.