Job Summary
The Fan Engagement Coordinator will support the Manager, Marketing with planning and executing grassroots marketing initiatives and fan-focused events throughout the Tampa Bay area. This role will assist in identifying community event opportunities, coordinating staffing and logistics, and representing the brand as the primary lead at local festivals, watch parties, and sporting events.
Working cross-functionally with various departments the coordinator will help develop event programming, manage promotional inventory, and support fan engagement platforms like ThunderBug’s Kids Club and Student Rush.
Additional responsibilities include scheduling and communicating with part-time event staff, maintaining the Rolling Thunder vehicle and equipment, and assisting with entertainment booking and event logistics.
This role is ideal for a self-motivated, detail-oriented team player with strong communication skills, event experience, and a passion for delivering impactful fan experiences in the community.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Research and execute grassroots marketing events throughout the Tampa Bay community representing Vinik Sports Group, including local festivals, parades, and sports-related events.
- Establish and grow community relationships around Tampa Bay and surrounding areas
- Manage and maintain the annual Tampa Bay Lightning activations calendar
- Support fan engagement and activation strategy, gameday on-site activations, and Kids Club day-to-day execution
- Lead on-site Watch Party operations and marketing, community grassroots activations, and related event initiatives
- Partner with Lightning Vision to create Ford Thunder Alley programming that aligns with theme nights and supports special initiatives for each home game
- Work with Partnership team to determine the regular season Watch Party schedule, develop promotional plans, and serve as the primary point of contact for event execution
- Manage and schedule the part-time Street Team to staff grassroots marketing events and support ThunderBug appearances throughout the community.
- Assist in the development, implementation and evaluation of Tampa Bay Lightning fan engagement initiatives, including ThunderBug’s Kids Club, Student Rush, season launch events, Watch Parties, playoff events, and more
- Drive the Rolling Thunder grassroots marketing vehicle to events as needed (F-150 and trailer)
- Maintain Rolling Thunder promotional item inventory, equipment, and overall vehicle upkeep
- Lead the management, communication, budgeting, and evaluation of Rolling Thunder, the Lightning Street Team, and other fan engagement-related programs
- Maintain and update internal live events inventory and various storage facilities, including props, uniforms, costumes, and related materials
- Assist in researching talent and entertainment for various Tampa Bay Lightning events
- Assist in the research, ordering, and fulfillment of promotional items
- Always Represent Vinik Sports Group professionally
- Perform other duties as assigned
Supervisory & Management Responsibilities
- Schedule and manage hours of part-time street team to ensure payroll stays within budget
Game/Event Responsibilities
- Game/Event Night Responsibilities: Yes
- Approximate number of events worked per year: 41 home games, 125+ grassroots marketing events
- Assist in the research and booking of talent and entertainment for various Tampa Bay Lightning events and game days
- Communicate detailed instructions for vendors and talent booked on Ford Thunder Alley, acting as an additional point of contact for set up
- Work closely with arena operations on all vendor and talent approvals to ensure their needs and requirements are prepared in advance
Qualifications
- Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Communications, or Business Management
- Minimum of 1-2 years live events or related experience preferred
- Must have valid driver’s license
- Prior sports, live events and/or venue experience preferred
- Proficient in Microsoft Suite
- Ability to work both independently and in team-oriented environments
- Detail oriented w/ excellent organizational skills
- Ability to make sound business decisions
- Creative and proactive problem solver
- Ability to generate trust and support
- Excellent written and verbal skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Strong work ethic
- Healthy and positive attitude
Working Conditions
- Ability to work efficiently and effectively in office and arena environment that can be exciting, loud and distracting
- This is an onsite role; flexibility to work a minority of time remotely.
- Ability to work extended hours including late nights, holidays, and weekends as needed
- Ability to drive a trailer and F150 truck
- Ability to lift/carry/move up to 25 lbs
- Ability to work in cold/hot indoor and outdoor temperatures
- Ability to commute to various venues throughout the Greater Tampa Bay Area
- Ability to work in areas that can become crowded with equipment and/or people
- Ability to stand on feet for long periods of time, walk long distances and climb stairs.
- Ability to climb ladders, kneel, bend, stoop and squat without any physical movement restriction
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.