Manager, Live Event Operations

Job Description

At the Saskatoon Mamba, our mission is to reflect, entertain, and unite the city of Saskatoon through the power of basketball and culture. Our role is to consistently deliver authentic, high-energy entertainment experiences that inspire pride in all who call Saskatoon home. We are a professional basketball organization committed to representing the sport at the highest level in our community. Driven by innovation and creativity, we strive to push beyond convention as we engage fans, community partners, cultural organizations, and corporate brands—serving proudly as Saskatoon's Home Team.

Job Summary

The Manager, Live Event Operations & Community Partnerships, is the primary lead for live event readiness and execution and the lead organizer for team-run events and appearances, while also supporting community engagement and partnership activation/fulfillment efforts. This role ensures staff are organized and aligned, and operates with clear priorities on game and event days, and helps "close the loop" locally by turning plans into clean, consistent execution. This position is highly hands-on and requires someone who can coordinate people, timelines, and details in a fast-paced environment. Success in this role will be measured by the quality of game day and event execution, the accuracy and professionalism of partner delivery, and the consistency of community presence and follow-through.

Compensation: This is a fixed-term contract position compensated through a base contract.

Key Responsibilities

(PRIMARY) Game Day Operations & Staff Coordination

• GOAL: Consistently deliver smooth, organized, and high-quality game day execution.
• Serve as the on-site lead for all home games, ensuring readiness, role clarity, and strong communication across all game day functions.
• Build and manage run-of-show support items (timelines, checklists, staff call times, role assignments, contingency plans).
• Coordinate part-time game day staff and volunteers: scheduling, role clarity, pre-game briefings, in-game adjustments, and post-game wrap-ups.
• Support venue coordination and confirmations (access times, staffing needs, equipment placement, key contacts, and escalation procedures).
• Ensure front-of-house operational details are prepared (wayfinding/signage, credentials, box office/scan-troubleshooting support, fan-experience touchpoints, courtside readiness, VIP flow).
• Own real-time issue resolution on game days, including triage, escalation, and communication with internal leadership as required.
• Produce post-game debrief notes, track recurring issues, and implement improvements between games.
• Maintain core operational documentation so execution is repeatable (venue contact lists, staffing rosters, "what good looks like" standards, templates).
• Enforce staffing standards and service expectations: professionalism, fan-first mindset, and consistent execution.

(PRIMARY) Event Operations (Non-Game Day)

• GOAL: Plan and execute team-run events and key activations with the same operational discipline as game day.
• Lead the planning and execution of non-game day events (community events, partner activations, season ticket events, appearances, grassroots initiatives, etc.).
• Create event plans that include timelines, staffing plans, equipment/asset lists, transportation logistics, arrival/departure plans, and contingency plans.
• Coordinate and supervise staff/volunteers at events, ensuring clear roles, professionalism, and strong brand representation.
• Manage on-site execution: set-up/tear-down, crowd flow, guest experience, and issue resolution.
• Collect event notes and outcomes, and maintain documentation so events are repeatable and scalable.

(PRIMARY) Community Partnerships & Activation Support

• GOAL: Deliver accurate, timely, and professional partner and community activations on game days and during the season.
• Support community partners and corporate partners with activation execution (tabling/booth logistics, experiential elements, in-game/on-court moments, contest prizing, community activations).
• Maintain an activation tracker (deliverables, deadlines, owners, readiness status) and ensure items are confirmed before each game/event.
• Coordinate day-of partner hosting needs (credential support, arrivals, seating/hospitality coordination, issue resolution, and overall partner experience).
• Ensure the partner experience meets brand standards and capture proof of performance where appropriate (photos, notes, sign-offs).
• Coordinate logistics for community initiatives (equipment, signage, staffing plans, timelines, and on-site flow).
• Build and maintain strong relationships with community stakeholders through clear communication and dependable follow-through.

(PRIMARY) Team Appearances & Player Support

• GOAL: Ensure players and staff are supported, prepared, and presented professionally at appearances.
• Coordinate and execute appearances involving players, coaches, mascot, and staff (schedules, call times, transportation support, on-site flow).
• Accompany players to community events when required, ensuring they are supported, and the appearance runs smoothly.
• Act as the on-site lead for appearances (arrival/departure plan, talking points support, photo/autograph flow, staff roles, and partner coordination).
• Ensure all appearance logistics are handled professionally and safely (timing, crowd flow, brand presentation, equipment, signage).
• Track appearance requests, confirm details, and ensure timely follow-up after events (thank-yous, notes, next steps).

(SECONDARY) Internal Planning, Communication & Systems

• GOAL: Create operational consistency through clear communication, organization, and simple systems.
• Provide concise weekly updates to leadership (upcoming priorities, risks, staffing needs, activation readiness).
• Coordinate cross-functional deliverables that touch game day/event execution (signage needs, promo items, giveaway counts, staff assignments, scripts/support materials).
• Track inventory and readiness for key game-day/event items (credentials, signage, promotional items, prizes, tabling materials, branded assets) and flag shortages early.
• Support vendor coordination where applicable (security/staffing touchpoints, promotional teams, equipment rentals).
• Support onboarding/training of game day staff with a focus on professionalism, service standards, and operational discipline.

Why Join the Saskatoon Mamba? This role offers hands-on experience in professional sports sales within one of Canada's fastest-growing leagues, direct access to senior leadership, and the opportunity to make a visible impact in a community-first organization during a pivotal growth phase.

Let's Talk About You: You're highly organized, calm under pressure, and naturally take ownership when something needs to get done. You can lead peers without needing formal authority, communicate clearly, and keep people focused on priorities. You enjoy the energy of live events, care about details, and understand that consistent execution builds trust with fans, partners, staff, and the community.

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree, preferably in Business, Sports Management, Event Management, Communications or a related field.
• Self-directed certifications, preferably in Business, Sales, or Sports Management.

Experience:

• Minimum of 1–3 years of experience in event operations, game day operations, sport/entertainment, hospitality, or community programming.
• Experience coordinating staff/volunteers, timelines, and multi-stakeholder execution.
• Experience supporting sponsor/partner activations or fulfillment deliverables is a strong asset.
• Experience working with athletes, performers, or public-facing talent, as well as appearance schedules, is an asset.
• Experience working across business functions and within a diverse team.

Key Competencies for this Position

• Event operations planning and execution (run-of-show, staffing plans, checklists).
• Strong project/time management with close attention to detail.
• Confident communication: clear, calm, and solutions-oriented.
• Stakeholder management (venues, vendors, staff, volunteers, partners, community leaders).
• Ability to problem-solve quickly and escalate appropriately.
• Strong professionalism, discretion, and brand representation.
• Ability to lead without ego, steady, reliable, and team-first.

Unique Working Conditions: Creating professional basketball and entertainment experiences doesn't always happen between 9 and 5. This role requires flexibility, with long or irregular hours, particularly during the May-August season. Attendance at community events and special functions is expected. The ideal candidate works well in a team environment, remains composed under pressure, and effectively balances multiple priorities. Strong discretion is essential when handling sensitive and confidential information.

How to Apply: Applicants must send their resume to with the subject line "Manager, Live Event Operations & Community Partnerships – Your First Name Your Last Name."

About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL)

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is Canada's professional basketball league, with 10 member clubs across six provinces. Blending global innovation with local connection, the league is redefining how the game is played and experienced while rooting its teams deeply in communities coast to coast. With a fan base of 4.1 million Canadians – up 57 per cent since 2022 – the CEBL has cultivated Canada's youngest basketball audience, with more than half of its fans aged 34 or younger. Its rapid growth reflects its ability to connect authentically with a new generation of basketball fans while expanding the sport's cultural footprint nationwide.

In 2025, the CEBL featured 17 players with NBA experience, and nearly 70 per cent of its athletes were Canadian – the highest proportion of domestic talent in any professional sports league in the country. To date, nearly 40 players have signed NBA contracts following CEBL seasons, which run from May through August. Visit or follow @cebleague on social media.

About the Saskatoon Mamba Professional Basketball Club

The Saskatoon Mamba (previously Saskatchewan Rattlers) tipped off their inaugural season at SaskTel Centre in May 2019 and went on to win the inaugural Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) championship. The Mamba are active members of the community, participating in countless events that connect the team with diverse communities through sport, entertainment, and arts and culture. The team has restored over 100 basketball nets across the city to make basketball more accessible to youth. For more information, visit.

Job Types: Full-time, Seasonal

Contract length: 7 months

Pay: $3,000.00-$4,000.00 per month

Work Location: In person