Director, Experiential Partnerships - Fanatics Events

Fanatics Events creates large-scale consumer festivals and live experiences that bring fans, athletes, brands and partners together. Our flagship productions include Fanatics Fest, a multi-day fan festival combining sports, collectibles, athlete appearances, content, and immersive brand experiences; and WWE World, a multi-day consumer event produced in partnership with WWE. As we continue to scale our live events business, we are seeking an Experiential Partnerships Director to lead the development and execution of complex brand partnership programs across Fanatics Events. 

The Director of Experiential Partnerships is a senior individual contributor responsible for turning ambitious brand partnership ideas into exceptional, executable fan experiences. The role owns major partner programs from early-stage concept development through onsite execution, working across partnerships, creative and operational teams to shape solutions, support new business development, pressure-test feasibility and lead delivery once sold. 

The ideal candidate has personally led complex experiential programs for brands at major tentpole events and combines strategic thinking with the operator judgment to anticipate challenges, mobilize teams and move programs from idea to execution.

• 8–12 years of experience in experiential marketing, integrated brand experiences, live events, sponsorship activation, or related disciplines. 

• Demonstrated experience personally leading complex experiential programs from concept development through onsite execution. 

• Experience delivering major tentpole events and programs for blue-chip brands. 

• Experiential agency experience strongly preferred and will be prioritized. 

• Strong event production fluency and an understanding of how creative concepts translate into operational and financial requirements. 

• Demonstrated ability to take ambiguous or incomplete information and turn it into a clear recommendation and actionable plan. 

• Proven ability to lead complex cross-functional teams, agencies, and vendors without direct reporting authority. 

• Strong client-facing communication skills, financial discipline and comfort operating independently in fast-moving environments. 

• Willingness to travel and work onsite during major event weeks, including weekends as needed. 

• Partnership concepts add value to the fan experience, are operationally feasible, and appropriately scoped before going to market. 

• Partner programs move from concept through execution with clear ownership, strong financial discipline, and minimal late-stage surprises. 

• Programs are delivered on time, on budget and at the quality expected by Fanatics and its partners. 

• Partners and internal teams view you as a trusted leader who can turn ambitious ideas into exceptional live experiences.