Manager, Game Entertainment & Fan Experience

Stockton Kings; Stockton (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision

Paid Time Off + Holidays

401(k) match

Cell Phone Stipend

Game tickets & store discounts

Job summary

The Stockton Kings in Stockton, CA seek a creative Manager of Game Entertainment & Fan Experience to lead game presentation, live entertainment, fan engagement, and in-game partnerships for home games.

You will oversee entertainment programming, theme nights, mascot strategy, sponsor activations, premium experiences, and game-day production, while driving community connections and brand elevation across the 209 region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Communications, Marketing, or related field.
• 5+ years of full-time experience in sports entertainment, game presentation, event production, event management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in live event production and managing staff or vendors.
• Strong organizational, communication, presentation, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced live event environment.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, holidays, all home games, and select events.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of game presentation for home games and events.
• Develop run of show, scripts, timelines, theme nights, and in-arena programming.
• Direct game day entertainment staff, mascots, promotional teams, performers, and external vendors.
• Coordinate audio/video production and ensure game presentation meets NBA G League standards.
• Develop pregame, in-game, halftime, post-game, concourse, and premium fan experiences.
• Partner with Marketing and Content on video board features, storytelling, promotions, and in-arena content.
• Research, book, and evaluate specialty performers and entertainment concepts.
• Develop fan traditions and benchmark NBA, G League, and other sports entertainment best practices.
• Manage promotional giveaways and measure fan engagement and attendance results.
• Use AI tools to support scripts, promotions, entertainment concepts, and event analysis.
• Lead mascot programming and appearances; manage related staff.
• Manage departmental budgets, timelines, resources, annual business plans, and staffing plans.
• Evaluate game entertainment and fan experience initiatives and identify opportunities to improve engagement, attendance, revenue, and brand impact.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Communications, Marketing, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Live event production software

Job description

Title: Manager, Game Entertainment & Fan Experience

Location: Stockton, CA

Reports to: VP, Business Operations

FLSA Status: Full-time, Non-Exempt

Job Summary

The Stockton Kings are seeking a creative, highly organized Manager of Game Entertainment & Fan Experience to lead the planning and execution of game presentation, live entertainment, fan engagement, and in-game partnership activations.

This role owns the overall home game experience, including entertainment programming, theme nights, mascot strategy, sponsor activations, premium experiences, and game day production. The Manager will also develop year-round initiatives that increase fan engagement, strengthen community connections, support partnerships, drive repeat attendance, and elevate the Stockton Kings brand throughout the 209 region.

Key Responsibilities

Game Entertainment & Fan Experience

• Lead the creative vision, planning, and execution of game presentation for all home games and select events.
• Develop run of show, scripts, entertainment timelines, theme nights, and in-arena programming.
• Direct game day entertainment staff, mascots, promotional teams, performers, and external production vendors.
• Coordinate audio/video production and ensure game presentation meets NBA G League standards.
• Develop innovative pregame, in-game, halftime, post-game, concourse, and premium fan experiences.
• Partner with Marketing and Content on video board features, storytelling, promotions, and in-arena content.
• Research, book, and evaluate specialty performers and entertainment concepts.
• Develop fan traditions and benchmark NBA, G League, and other sports entertainment best practices.
• Manage promotional giveaways and measure fan engagement and attendance results.
• Use AI tools to support scripts, promotions, entertainment concepts, and event analysis.

Mascot & Entertainment Programming

• Develop the annual mascot calendar, programming, social content opportunities, and sponsorship activations.
• Schedule mascot appearances and coordinate performers and handlers for games, community events, and partner activations.
• Maintain mascot costumes and equipment and identify opportunities to expand mascot-related revenue.
• Partnerships & Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with Marketing, Ticket Sales, Partnerships, Communications, Community Relations, Broadcast, and Operations to align game presentation with organizational goals.
• Execute contractual in-game sponsorship elements and develop creative new activation concepts and sponsor inventory.
• Support sponsor recap materials and ensure activation assets are fulfilled accurately.
• Collaborate with the Sacramento Kings organization on brand alignment and best practices.
• Develop community tie-ins and experiences that strengthen the Stockton Kings' connection to the region.
• Lead approximately 10–15 part-time game day and entertainment staff, including recruiting, hiring, training, and scheduling.
• Conduct rehearsals, pregame meetings, post-game debriefs, and ongoing staff development.
• Manage departmental budgets, timelines, resources, annual business plans, and staffing plans.
• Evaluate game entertainment and fan experience initiatives and identify opportunities to improve engagement, attendance, revenue, and brand impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Communications, Marketing, or related field.
• 5+ years of full-time experience in sports entertainment, game presentation, event production, event management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in live event production and managing staff or vendors.
• Strong organizational, communication, presentation, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced live event environment.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, holidays, all home games, and select events.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional sports and/or NBA G League experience.
• Experience managing mascot or entertainment programs.
• Knowledge of live event production software and Microsoft Office.
• Experience using AI tools to improve productivity and creative development.

Total compensation & offer package will include the following:

• Base Salary Range: $52,000 - $62,000
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits for employees and dependents
• Paid Time Off + 11 Paid Holidays + Summer Fridays
• Employer 401(k) match
• Cell Phone Stipend
• Sacramento Kings home game tickets, team store discounts, and more!