Sr. Director, Operations - Fanatics Events
Fanatics
About Fanatics Events
Fanatics is a global leader in licensed sports merchandise, collectibles, and fan experiences. Our newest platform, Fanatics Events, creates large-scale consumer festivals and live experiences that bring fans, athletes, and partners together.
Our flagship productions include:
Fanatics Fest – A first-of-its-kind multi-day fan festival hosted at the world-class v Javits Center, combining sports, collectibles, athlete appearances, and immersive activations.
WWE World – A multi-day consumer event produced in partnership with WWE, bringing fans closer to superstars, storylines, and experiences during major tentpole weekends.
As we scale our live events business, we are seeking a Senior Director of Operations to anchor the operational engine for these marquee consumer events.
The Role
The Senior Director of Operations for Fanatics Events’ consumer portfolio, leading Fanatics Fest, WWE World, and other future flagship experiences. Reporting to the Vice President of Operations, this leader will assume responsibility for day-to-day operational leadership across events, overseeing the existing operations team and ensuring flawless execution.
The top priority of this role is to manage and support an incredibly talented team of well respected industry all-stars that includes Directors of Operations, Managers, and Associates, and will drive accountability for every facet of event delivery.
This is a high-visibility role requiring exceptional leadership, extensive team management experience, financial stewardship, and vendor/agency management.
What You'll Do:
Operational Leadership
- Lead end-to-end operations for Fanatics Fest, WWE World, and other consumer events in the Fanatics Events portfolio.
- Serve as onsite senior decision-maker, ensuring flawless experiences for fans, exhibitors, sponsors, and talent.
- Translate executive vision and partner requirements (including WWE) into actionable operational strategies, workflows, and timelines.
Creative Integration
- Vet and management of creative agencies to design signature show features, activations, and experiential moments.
- Integrate creative concepts into operational plans, ensuring they are scalable, safe, and budget-aligned.
- Partner with our General Service Contractor to bring creative designs to life on the show floor, ensuring feasibility and premium build standards.
- Act as the bridge between creative and execution, ensuring innovative ideas translate into unforgettable experiences at all events.
Team Leadership
- Day to day management of the existing operations team.
- Set priorities, role clarity, and phased workplans for the full operations team.
- Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation.
- Serve as the support system and escalation point for the operations team. Ensure exhibitor and sponsor satisfaction through seamless operational delivery.
Budget & Financial Oversight
- Ownership of multimillion-dollar operating budgets across the portfolio.
- Lead forecasting, cost tracking, and reconciliation conversations between the ops and finance teams.
Vendor & Contract Management
- Negotiate and manage contracts with Freeman, AV/tech providers, security firms, catering, transportation, and creative agencies.
- Act as senior escalation point for vendor relationships, ensuring contract compliance and performance.
- Collaborate with Legal and Procurement when needed to ensure operational risk is mitigated.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Process Improvement In An Ever-Evolving Environment
- Partner closely with all internal Fanatics Events teams (Sponsorships, Sales, Marketing and Content teams to align on operational planning always look to better enhance our internal processes in an always evolving environment.
- Support sponsorship fulfillment team in vetting, operationalizing and delivering sold packages, ensuring they are getting proper support from all vendors involved.
- Act as the voice of operations in cross-functional meetings, identifying pain points and proactively proposing process improvements that benefit partners and fans alike.
What We're Looking For:
- Mandatory: 12+ years of direct experience in large-scale tradeshow operations, with at least 5 years in a team management, leadership position.
- Proven success leading multi-layered teams across multiple events or portfolios.
- Deep experience integrating creative agencies with general service contractors to deliver impactful experiential features.
- Expertise in multimillion-dollar tradeshow budget ownership, forecasting, and reconciliation.
- Strong vendor and contract negotiation background.
- Familiarity with floor plan and exhibitor management tools (Map Your Show, EXPOCAD, a2z).
- Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills across C-suite, partners, and vendors.
- Any direct experience working with a General Service Contractor is a plus.
- Some consumer event experience is a plus, but not mandatory.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
- Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
- Leadership role shaping the most ambitious consumer events in sports & entertainment
- Opportunities for career growth as the Fanatics Events portfolio expands.
- Access to exclusive sporting events and experiences.
The salary range for this position is $160,000 to $180,000, which represents base pay only and does not include short-term or long-term incentive compensation. When determining base pay, as part of a final compensation package, we consider several factors such as location, experience, qualifications, and training.