Sr Manager, Experience Operations

As part of our team, you'll join a high-performance, caring culture where innovation thrives, communities are uplifted, and every achievement, big or small, is celebrated. You'll help shape experiences that fill hearts, consume minds, and enrich souls. This is more than a job.

• O Support the Director of Experience in shaping a compelling creative vision for priority athlete moments and translating that vision into clear concepts, plans and standards.
• O Bring fresh, inspirational ideas that strengthen the emotional impact, atmosphere and distinctiveness of The IRONMAN Group experience.
• O Initially lead the design and continual elevation of the swim start, finish line, IRONMAN Village and selected key moments across race week and race day.
• O Develop creative briefs, experience journeys, visual references, playbooks and practical design guidance that enable consistent delivery across events.
• O Identify opportunities to expand the experience remit over time, using athlete feedback, event insights and external trends to recommend the next priority touchpoints and assets.
• O Lead, coach and develop three Experience Coordinators, setting clear priorities and building the creative, planning and execution capabilities of the team.
• O Translate approved concepts into coordinated workplans, timelines, budgets, staffing requirements, asset needs and event-ready deliverables.
• O Delegate meaningful ownership to the coordinators while providing direction, feedback and quality assurance from concept development through onsite delivery.
• O Lead planning and onsite execution at selected high-profile, complex or priority events, acting as the senior experience lead where delegated by the Director of Experience.
• O Partner with Race Directors and functional leads so experience plans enhance athlete flow, safety and event operations without duplicating operational ownership.
• O Conduct onsite quality reviews and post-event debriefs, ensuring lessons and improvements are incorporated into future designs and delivery plans.
• O Own the detailed planning and build requirements for the swim start, finish line, IRONMAN Village and other designated key moments, ensuring each experience reflects approved creative direction and brand standards.
• O Review layouts and plans with consideration for athlete and spectator flow, visual impact, partner visibility, venue restrictions, accessibility, utilities and overall look and feel.
• O Oversee build, live delivery and breakdown at selected events, coordinating with Race Directors, venue contacts, vendors, production partners and internal teams.
• O Serve as an escalation point for experience-related planning, production, vendor and onsite delivery issues.
• O Manage external vendors and creative or production partners to ensure scope, quality, timing and cost expectations are met.
• O Coordinate infrastructure and service requirements for experience activations, including power, internet, lighting, sound, screens, furnishings, permits, security and equipment rentals.
• O Own the inventory strategy and management process for Experience Operations assets supporting priority athlete touchpoints, including swim start, finish line, IRONMAN Village and other designated moments, as well as branded and non-branded equipment, signage, décor
• Furnishings and production elements.
• O Forecast asset needs across the annual event calendar and recommend purchases and replacements based on event priorities, usage, condition and budget.
• O Oversee ordering and production of IRONMAN brand-specific Experience activations and assets, ensuring creative accuracy, brand compliance, quality control, delivery timing and onsite readiness.
• O Create clear ownership and check-in/check-out processes to reduce loss, damage, duplication and last-minute ordering.

• Ability to safely operate or oversee the use of specialised event equipment, including:
• Heavy machinery
• Utility vehicles (e.g., Gators)
• Ability to move, position, transport, and install materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Perform manual handling tasks, including bending, stooping, twisting, and reaching, associated with event setup, breakdown, and onsite operations.
• Ability to work in a variety of environments, including indoor and outdoor venues, and in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to operate or assist with basic event equipment and tools as required for the role.
• Extended work days and travel will be required whilst attending assigned onsite events.
• O Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience in experiential design, live events, sport management, marketing, hospitality, creative production or business.
• O A minimum of seven years' relevant experience in live events, experiential design, brand experience, event production, sport or a related field, including experience leading complex projects from concept through live delivery.
• O Previous people-management experience, including coaching, delegation, capability building and performance accountability.
• O A creative and inspirational thinker with the ability to develop memorable, athlete-centred experiences that are distinctive, practical and aligned with The IRONMAN Group brands.
• O Strong visual judgement and storytelling skills, with the ability to communicate concepts through briefs, journeys, references and clear presentations.
• O Demonstrated ability to translate creative direction and brand standards into detailed, operationally executable plans.

• O Experience taking creative concepts from idea through planning, build and live delivery; experience managing vendors, budgets, timelines, assets or multi-event portfolios is strongly preferred.

• Ability to stay stationary and/or move around the event site for extended periods of time, including during long event days, outdoor conditions, and uneven surfaces.

At The IRONMAN Group, our purpose is clear: to inspire people to unlock their greatest potential through sport, pushing beyond limits to become the fullest expression of human achievement. Through our BE ICONIC vision, we are building the most loved brands, producing the world's most inspiring events, and fostering deeply engaged communities that change lives.