Manager, Brand & Event Presentation

Manager, Brand & Event Presentation

Location: San Jose, California (Hybrid)

Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Reports to: Director of Marketing

Salary Range: $67,000–$77,000

About the Organization

NorCal Rumble is Northern California's professional women's volleyball team competing in Major League Volleyball (MLV), set to begin play in January 2027 at Tech CU Arena in San Jose.

Backed by founding owners Theresia Gouw, Kerri Walsh Jennings and Vivek Ranadivé, alongside an investment group that includes Zaza and Tika Pachulia, Brad and Andrea Hilsabeck, and Andre Iguodala, NorCal Rumble is building a high-performance professional volleyball organization rooted in competition, community and culture.

Based in one of the country's most dynamic sports markets, NorCal Rumble is built to reflect the energy and diversity of Northern California while creating a best-in-class experience for athletes and fans alike. More than a professional volleyball team, NorCal Rumble is helping build the future of the sport in Northern California.

Position Overview

NorCal Rumble is seeking an experienced, creative and highly organized Manager, Brand & Event Presentation to lead the strategy, production and execution of the organization's live fan experience and special events.

This position will oversee all aspects of game presentation at Tech CU Arena, from developing compelling in-arena entertainment and fan engagement programming to managing production teams, game-day personnel and the overall execution of the live show. Beyond match days, this individual will lead the planning and execution of signature events, fan festivals, community activations, partner events and other experiences that bring the NorCal Rumble brand to life throughout Northern California.

The ideal candidate brings significant experience in professional sports game presentation, live event production and experiential marketing, with a demonstrated ability to lead complex productions, manage cross-functional teams and deliver high-quality fan experiences.

Reporting to the Director of Marketing, this position directly supervises the Brand & Event Presentation Coordinator and works closely with Marketing, Partnerships, Operations, Ticketing, Creative, Communications, Volleyball Operations and Community & Government Affairs to deliver cohesive, engaging and memorable experiences.

What You'll Do

Live Game Presentation & Production

• Lead the planning, creative development and execution of all aspects of NorCal Rumble's live game presentation at Tech CU Arena.
• Develop and manage comprehensive game scripts, run-of-show documents, production schedules, cue sheets and game-day timelines.
• Serve as the primary game presentation producer, overseeing the live execution of all in-arena entertainment, promotions, ceremonies, theme nights and fan engagement elements.
• Direct and coordinate game-day production personnel, including the PA announcer, DJ, in-game host, video board operators, audio engineers, lighting operators and entertainment staff.
• Collaborate with arena production teams to oversee video board content, LED programming, music, lighting, audio cues and other technical production elements.
• Lead production meetings, rehearsals, technical run-throughs and postgame evaluations to ensure seamless execution.
• Develop creative entertainment concepts and signature game presentation moments that strengthen the NorCal Rumble identity.
• Partner with Marketing and Creative to ensure consistent brand storytelling across all in-arena elements.
• Continuously evaluate the fan experience and identify opportunities to improve production quality, entertainment value and audience engagement.

Event Strategy & Production

• Lead the planning, development and execution of organizational events, including:
• Fan festivals and fan engagement events
• Watch parties and viewing events
• Jersey reveals and major brand announcements
• Community festivals and grassroots activations
• Sponsor and partnership events
• Season Ticket Member events
• Media events and press conferences
• Player and coach appearances
• League and organizational events
• Special events and promotional experiences
• Serve as the primary event lead for designated NorCal Rumble events, overseeing all phases from initial concept through execution and evaluation.
• Develop detailed event plans, production timelines, budgets, staffing plans and operational schedules.
• Coordinate venue logistics, equipment, vendors, permits, entertainment, staffing and event production requirements.
• Collaborate with internal departments and external partners to ensure events meet organizational objectives and brand standards.
• Identify opportunities to create distinctive, scalable event experiences that drive awareness, fan engagement and community connections.

Entertainment & Fan Experience

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive entertainment program that enhances the NorCal Rumble fan experience.
• Recruit, schedule, train and manage game-day entertainment personnel and vendors, including:
• Mascot program
• PA announcer
• DJ and music entertainment
• In-game host
• Street team and promotional staff
• National anthem performers
• Halftime entertainment
• Specialty performers and entertainment acts
• Oversee entertainment auditions, rehearsals, contracts, scheduling and performance expectations.
• Develop fan engagement concepts, interactive promotions and entertainment programming tailored to diverse audiences.
• Partner with Marketing and Ticketing to create compelling theme night experiences and promotional programming.
• Stay informed on industry trends, emerging technologies and best practices in professional sports entertainment and experiential marketing.

Brand & Community Engagement

• Partner with the Director of Marketing and Community & Government Affairs Director to execute grassroots marketing initiatives, community appearances and signature events.
• Coordinate player, coach, mascot and organizational appearances throughout Northern California in collaboration with the appropriate departments.
• Support brand campaigns, ticket sales initiatives and partnership activations through experiential marketing opportunities.
• Ensure all events, appearances and live experiences reflect NorCal Rumble's brand identity, values and organizational standards.
• Identify opportunities to create memorable fan touchpoints that strengthen relationships with fans, partners and the broader community.

Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Directly supervise, mentor and develop the Brand & Event Presentation Coordinator.
• Recruit, train, schedule and manage game-day staff, entertainment personnel and event support teams.
• Establish clear responsibilities, expectations and workflows to ensure efficient event execution.
• Lead cross-functional game presentation and event planning meetings.
• Partner closely with Marketing, Partnerships, Ticketing, Operations, Creative, Communications, Volleyball Operations and Community & Government Affairs.
• Collaborate with the Partnerships team to execute sponsor activations, in-game promotions and contractual fulfillment obligations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with arena personnel, production vendors, entertainment partners and external stakeholders.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable and solutions-oriented approach to event production.

Budget Management & Operations

• Develop, manage and track game presentation and event production budgets.
• Source, negotiate and manage vendors, entertainment contracts and production partners.
• Oversee event-related purchasing, expense tracking and financial reconciliation.
• Develop standardized production processes, operational playbooks, event documentation and contingency plans.
• Maintain detailed production schedules and ensure all event deliverables are completed on time and within budget.
• Evaluate event performance, fan feedback and operational effectiveness to identify areas for improvement.
• Ensure adherence to venue requirements, organizational policies and applicable event safety protocols.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Sports Management, Communications, Event Management, Entertainment Production or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in game presentation, live entertainment, event production, sports marketing or experiential marketing.
• Minimum 3 years of direct experience producing live sporting events, preferably within professional or NCAA Division I athletics.
• Demonstrated experience leading the planning and execution of live game presentation, including show production, in-arena entertainment and fan engagement programming.
• Proven ability to independently produce and execute live events, manage show flow and make real-time production decisions in high-pressure environments.
• Experience developing game scripts, run-of-show documents, production schedules and detailed event plans.
• Strong working knowledge of live event production, including video boards, LED systems, audio, lighting, music programming and production control room operations.
• Previous experience supervising full-time employees, game-day personnel, entertainment teams or event production staff.
• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale events, entertainment programming, vendors and production budgets.
• Strong understanding of professional sports entertainment, fan engagement strategies and the role of game presentation in building brand affinity.
• Exceptional project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple productions, deadlines and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Strong creative instincts and the ability to develop innovative, engaging and brand-aligned fan experiences.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across departments and with external production partners.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented and capable of maintaining production quality in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership of projects and adapt quickly to changing priorities.
• A fan-first mindset and passion for creating memorable live sports and entertainment experiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working for a professional sports franchise, major collegiate athletics program, arena or live entertainment organization.
• Previous experience serving as a lead game presentation producer or director for a professional sports team.
• Experience launching new entertainment programs, signature events or fan engagement initiatives.
• Experience with live production software, show control systems and arena production technologies.
• Background in experiential marketing, grassroots activations or large-scale fan events.
• Experience working with professional athletes, coaches, talent and high-profile organizational stakeholders.
• Familiarity with sponsorship activation and branded entertainment integration.
• Experience working in a startup or expansion sports franchise environment.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Ability to lift and move equipment weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk and remain active for extended periods during events and match days.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays and all NorCal Rumble home matches.
• Ability to travel throughout Northern California for community events, appearances and organizational functions.
• Ability to work on-site at Tech CU Arena and other event venues as required.
• Flexibility to accommodate event schedules, production rehearsals and organizational priorities.

Why NorCal Rumble?

• Help build the live entertainment and fan experience of a new professional sports franchise from the ground up.
• Play a significant role in shaping the identity and traditions of NorCal Rumble.
• Lead innovative game presentation and experiential marketing initiatives across Northern California.
• Collaborate with a passionate team committed to elevating women's professional sports.
• Create meaningful connections between athletes, fans, partners and communities.
• Join an organization focused on building a lasting legacy both on and off the court.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation
• Medical, Dental & Vision insurance
• 401(k) with pre-tax and Roth options
• An inclusive culture that values diverse backgrounds, collaboration and a shared passion for building a leading professional sports organization
• Potential for flexible scheduling and hybrid work opportunities

Additional Information

This position is not eligible for U.S. work authorization sponsorship.

Please note: We are not accepting phone inquiries regarding the status of applications. Only qualified candidates will be contacted. Additionally, we are not working with agencies or third-party recruiters at this time.

NorCal Rumble is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, veteran status or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state or local law.