Senior Director, Game Presentation| Full-Time | Coachella Valley Firebirds

Oak View Group

Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

Position Summary

The Senior Director of Game Presentation will guide the planning, strategy, development, and execution of game presentation elements for the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the 32nd team in the American Hockey League. The role is a key part of the organization’s marketing, content and creative development team, a group that leads high-level event production for internal and consumer-facing events.  This position is responsible for ensuring event attendees have a memorable experience while fostering brand affinity for the Coachella Valley Firebirds as well as the Seattle Kraken (NHL), Acrisure Arena and Oak View Group.  The Senior Director will develop close working relationships across the enterprise collaborating with marketing, content, broadcast & communications, ticketing & premium sales, hockey operations, brand & sponsorship departments as well as executive teams to ensure a consistent and engaging product is produced for all live events. This individual will also build and manage part-time and full-time team members supporting game day operations (promotional crews, emcees, DJs, officials, special guests, anthem singers, etc.) The role will also be responsible for event lighting, sound and serve as the event show caller on game days. The position requires ample amounts imagination, outside-of-the-box thinking, ability to manage multiple initiatives and timelines, collaborations with a variety of creative teams and partners as well as the ability to flawlessly execute the overarching vision for the enterprise throughout regular and post-season events. This role will be actively involved in the leadership and development of the Firebirds organization working with staff across all areas of the business to enhance sales, marketing & community campaigns.

 

This role will pay a salary of $110,000 to $120,000 and is bonus eligible.

 

For Full-Time roles: Benefits: Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 401(k) savings plan, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays).

 

This position will remain open until December 26, 2025.

About the Venue

America’s hottest music festival destination finally has the world-class arena it deserves. Now open, the brand new Acrisure Arena provides the greater Palm Springs area of Southern California with a premiere 11,000+ capacity venue hosting the biggest artists and acts on the planet. We are #TheCoolestSpot in the desert, designed specifically for hockey and made for concerts, Acrisure Arena provides top-tier hospitality, artist amenities, and all of the benefits of a modern music and sports venue to the Coachella Valley.

Responsibilities

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

• Serve in a leadership role in coordination with the VP of Marketing & Business Services and other key departments including marketing, content, broadcast & communication, ticketing & premium services, sponsorship, community, and other executive leaders within the OVG enterprise.
• Develop impactful concepts & activations that amplify internal & partner initiatives.
• Steward video strategy and production for all events in alignment with marketing & content teams.
• Create and manage department production calendars, timing sheets, rundowns, scripts, storyboards and other production-related documents, distributing to key stakeholders as appropriates.
• Develop departmental process and procedure elements that effectively promote communication across the enterprise, showcase team & game storytelling, drive revenue, elevate the fan and brand experience, and achieve partner objectives.
• Maintain a close working relationship with third party vendors, control room & broadcast production staff, venue operations team, hockey operations and League contacts, including a physical presence leading up to and during games to ensure seamless communications for broadcasting and other operations.
• Oversee relationships with various technology, production, and operations vendors.
• Oversee lighting, sound, pyrotechnics and conduct event call for all home games.
• Support production for in-market events including viewing parties, corporate, community & sponsorship events.
• Research and stay updated on Game Presentation trends across professional sports leagues, implementing new and innovative programming for the Firebirds & Acrisure Arena.
• Liaise with Seattle Kraken Game Presentation team, NHL and AHL counterparts to stay on top of best practices while formulating meaningful relationships with teams across the AHL and other leagues.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• 10 years’ experience working in live events, sports, entertainment & event production
• 7 years’ experience leading and managing event production teams in live events, sports & entertainment.
• Understanding sports & entertainment live event presentation required
• Content and broadcast production skills and experience required (hockey-specific is preferrable)
• Strong financial acumen required in order to manage departmental budgets, navigate forecasting and department/staff expenses
• Knowledge of and ability to closely follow popular culture & viral trends
• Outstanding leadership, organizational & communication skills, along with a collaborative and inquisitive spirit.
• Ability to pivot and adapt quickly leveraging problem-solving skills within the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of live events.
• Passionate, collaborative and creative spirit who can actively lead brainstorming sessions moving through all stages of strategic planning.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including clearly presenting concepts.
• Ability to respectfully handle constructive feedback from peers, leadership and partners.
• Cultivate trust-based relationships across all areas of operation.
• Attend and work all home games along with select company events.
• Must be able to work nights, weekends and holidays with some travel potentially required.

Skills Required

• Degree from accredited college or university ideally in broadcast production, communications or other relevant field of study pertaining to the role.
• Knowledge of Daktronics and industry standard A/V equipment and lighting systems.
• Experience managing teams and vendors as it relates to game day production and presentation events.
• Ability to create strategic plan as well as manage department budgets
• Direct management of staff (part-time & full-time positions)
• Working primarily in an office environment
• Must be able to stand for extended period of time and be able to handle physical requirements of light work and lifting.

Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.