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. We aim to empower over a million athletes to cross a finish line each year and inspire a billion people worldwide through the power of the human spirit.
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. It’s a chance to be part of a global movement, to lead from the front, and to leave a legacy. Together, we create moments that last a lifetime. The IRONMAN Group is the world's largest operator of mass participation sports, delivering over 200+ events a year across 55+ countries thanks to a passionate global team. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.
We are seeking a highly motivated individual for the position of Sr Manager, Experience reporting to Director of Experience, The IRONMAN Group based in our Tampa, Florida or Louisville, Colorado office.
The Opportunity:
The Senior Manager, Experience plays a pivotal role in shaping the moments athletes remember long after they cross the finish line. Partnering closely with the Director of Experience, this role is responsible for imagining and bringing to life memorable, world-class experiences that inspire, motivate and connect athletes to the power of The IRONMAN Group brands. From the anticipation of the swim start to the emotion of the finish line and the energy of IRONMAN Village, the role helps create the defining moments that make our events unlike any other.
Blending creativity with executional excellence, the Senior Manager transforms bold ideas into experiences that can be delivered consistently across a global event portfolio. Leading a team of Experience Coordinators and collaborating across Operations, Marketing, Athlete Services, Partnerships and event teams, this role turns vision into reality, continually raising the bar for what athletes, spectators and communities can expect from an IRONMAN Group event. As the Experience function evolves, the opportunity to influence an even broader range of athlete touchpoints and iconic brand moments will continue to grow.
Success measures: Quality and consistency of priority athlete experiences; effective delivery of agreed concepts within budget and timeline; positive athlete and stakeholder feedback; improved standards and playbooks across events; and the growth, capability and ownership of the Experience Coordinators.
Responsibilities & Duties:
· Creative Experience Design and Development
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.
· Team Leadership and Delivery
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.
· Priority Athlete Touchpoints and Event Build
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.
· Inventory, Assets and Ordering
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.
Qualifications/Experience:
· Education and work experience
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 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.
· Skills and Knowledge
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 Strong people leadership, coaching and team-development skills, with the ability to inspire a small team and build ownership.
o Sound knowledge of event build, venue planning, athlete and spectator flow, vendor coordination, production logistics and onsite problem-solving.
o Excellent organisation, project management and portfolio planning, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, budgets and deadlines.
o Excellent judgement and the ability to make calm, timely decisions in fast-paced live event environments.
o Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and align cross-functional partners and senior stakeholders.
o A collaborative, positive and improvement-focused approach, with a commitment to athlete-first thinking and the BE ICONIC vision.
o Willingness and ability to travel as needed, including approximately 10–15 week-long trips per year, and to work weekends, holidays and extended hours during events.
o Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
o Valid driving licence.
Physical & Equipment Requirements:
Example:
- Ability to safely operate or oversee the use of specialized event equipment, including:
•
- Heavy machinery
- Forklifts
- Trucks
- 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 stay stationary and/or move around the event site for extended periods of time, including during long event days, outdoor conditions, and uneven surfaces.
· 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.
We are an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any protected characteristic under applicable law. We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process and employment in accordance with applicable law.
The above job description is not intended to be an “all inclusive” list of duties, responsibilities, skill and abilities, required to do the job. Rather, it is intended only to describe the general nature of the job and is a reasonable representation of its activities. Duties and responsibilities may evolve over time.