Sr Manager, Experience Operations

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 to imagine and deliver memorable, world-class experiences that connect athletes to The IRONMAN Group brands. The role blends creativity with executional excellence, transforming bold ideas into experiences that can be delivered consistently across a global event portfolio. It leads a team of Experience Coordinators and collaborates across Operations, Marketing, Athlete Services, Partnerships and event teams.

• Support the Director of Experience in shaping a compelling creative vision for priority athlete moments, translating it into clear concepts, plans and standards, and developing creative briefs, experience journeys, visual references
• Playbooks and practical design guidance that enable consistent delivery across events.
• Lead the design and continual elevation of the swim start, finish line, IRONMAN Village and selected key moments across race week and race day.
• 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.
• Lead, coach and develop three Experience Coordinators, setting clear priorities and building the team's creative, planning and execution capabilities.
• Translate approved concepts into coordinated workplans, timelines, budgets, staffing requirements, asset needs and event-ready deliverables.
• 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.
• Partner with Race Directors and functional leads so that experience plans enhance athlete flow, safety and event operations without duplicating operational ownership.
• Own the detailed planning and build requirements for priority athlete touchpoints, reviewing layouts with consideration for athlete and spectator flow, visual impact, partner visibility, venue restrictions, accessibility, utilities and overall look and feel.
• Oversee build, live delivery and breakdown at selected events, coordinating with Race Directors, venue contacts, vendors, production partners and internal teams, coordinating infrastructure and service requirements such as power, internet, lighting, sound, screens, furnishings, permits
• Security and equipment rentals, and serving as an escalation point for experience-related planning, production, vendor and onsite delivery issues.
• Manage external vendors and creative or production partners to ensure scope, quality, timing and cost expectations are met.
• Own the inventory strategy and management process for Experience Operations assets supporting priority athlete touchpoints, forecasting asset needs across the annual event calendar, recommending purchases and replacements, and creating clear ownership and check-in/check-out processes to reduce loss
• Damage, duplication and last-minute ordering.
• Oversee ordering and production of IRONMAN brand-specific Experience activations and assets, ensuring creative accuracy, brand compliance, quality control, delivery timing and onsite readiness.
• Conduct onsite quality reviews and post-event debriefs, ensuring lessons and improvements are incorporated into future designs and delivery plans.

• 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.
• 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.
• Previous people-management experience, including coaching, delegation, capability building and performance accountability.
• 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.
• Strong visual judgement and storytelling skills, with the ability to communicate concepts through briefs, journeys, references and clear presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to translate creative direction and brand standards into detailed, operationally executable plans.
• Strong people leadership, coaching and team-development skills, with the ability to inspire a small team and build ownership.
• Sound knowledge of event build, venue planning, athlete and spectator flow, vendor coordination, production logistics and onsite problem-solving.
• Excellent organisation, project management and portfolio planning, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, budgets and deadlines.
• Excellent judgement and the ability to make calm, timely decisions in fast-paced live event environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and align cross-functional partners and senior stakeholders.
• A collaborative, positive and improvement-focused approach, with a commitment to athlete-first thinking and the BE ICONIC vision.
• 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.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Valid driving licence.

• Experience managing vendors, budgets, timelines, assets or multi-event portfolios is strongly preferred.

Its purpose is to inspire people to unlock their greatest potential through sport, pushing beyond limits to become the fullest expression of human achievement.