Director of Live Events & Owned Properties
2 days ago
Fort Worth
Company Description: The Ariat Texas Rattlers are a founding team in the PBR Team Series and the 2023 World Champions, proudly based in Fort Worth and representing bull riding fans across Texas and around the world. We’re competitive, entrepreneurial and passionate about creating sports and entertainment experiences that reward our fans and partners. From championship competition to fan festivals and rattlesnake chef cook-offs, to community programs and new experiences we’re building from the ground up — we’re just getting started. The Director of Live Events & Owned Properties is a senior leadership role responsible for building, operating and growing a portfolio of Texas Rattlers-owned events, programs and experiences. The role owns the P&L and overall execution plan for the portfolio, leading financial performance, project management, event production and the development of new revenue-generating properties. Success in this role requires a creative, entrepreneurial business leader who can turn ideas into profitable, high-quality experiences—from developing the business case and building the plan to assembling the team, executing the event and improving the property over time. The Director will work closely with Marketing, Corporate Partnerships, Operations and external partners to deliver experiences that advance the Texas Rattlers brand, business and community impact. This is a growth role for a candidate poised to next-level their career in a thriving sports environment. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Owned Property Portfolio & P&L Leadership · Own the overall P&L planning and financial performance of the Texas Rattlers Properties portfolio, including budgeting, forecasting, revenue and expense management, profitability analysis and financial reporting. · Develop annual budgets and forecasts; monitor performance against plan and recommend timely adjustments to improve financial results. · Identify opportunities to improve margins, yield, revenue generation and long-term property value. · Lead bid processes, vendor negotiations and cost management to maximize quality and financial efficiency. · Develop investment recommendations, business cases and financial models for existing and proposed properties. · Collaborate closely with Corporate Partnerships, Marketing and other departments that own specific revenue channels, aligning property plans and objectives to maximize overall business performance. Project & Workflow Leadership · Build and lead comprehensive master plans, project timelines, critical paths and workflows for each Owned Property. · Create clear accountability across internal departments, contractors, vendors, agencies and external partners to ensure projects move forward on time and at a high standard. · Manage multiple complex projects concurrently, anticipating risks, solving problems and maintaining momentum in a fast-paced environment. · Establish scalable systems, processes and reporting that improve planning, execution and institutional knowledge across the Owned Properties portfolio. Live Event Production & Operations · Conceive, plan and produce Texas Rattlers live events and experiences ranging from 50 to 5,000 paid attendees. · Lead venue, production, vendor, staffing, logistics and operational planning required to deliver exceptional live experiences. · Serve as a senior on-site leader during events, providing clear direction, solving real-time challenges and ensuring a high-quality experience for guests, partners and stakeholders. · Hire, train, schedule and manage temporary event personnel and independent contractors as required for successful execution. · Directly manage and develop 2-3 contract personnel supporting the Owned Properties portfolio. · Lead post-event reviews, financial recaps and operational debriefs; identify lessons and improvements for future events. Owned Property Development & Innovation · Identify, conceive and develop new Texas Rattlers-owned events, experiences, programs and intellectual property that generate revenue and advance the Team's brand and business objectives. · Develop new concepts from initial idea through business case, financial model, operational plan and execution. · Research successful sports, entertainment, lifestyle and consumer experiences to identify ideas and best practices adaptable to the Texas Rattlers. · Bring an entrepreneurial mindset to continually improve, expand and monetize the organization's Owned Properties portfolio. · Explore opportunities across live events and festivals, fan experiences, community programs, partnership platforms, content/IP extensions, hospitality concepts and other scalable business opportunities. · Create distinctive experiences that deliver surprise and delight for fans, partners and communities. Current Owned Properties & Strategic Programs · Lead planning, P&L management and project execution for the current portfolio of Team-owned properties, including: · PBR Chevron Showdown · PBR Ride for Decatur · Rattle Battle Chef Cook-off · Rattler Days Fan Festival · Team Mascot Program · Chevron Ride for Agriculture program · Lead the Team's planning and coordination for Rattler Days ancillary events and experiences, collaborating with PBR, venue and other partners to help maximize the success of the broader Rattler Days weekend. Senior Leadership & Collaboration · Serve as a member of the Texas Rattlers Senior Leadership Team, contributing to overall Team strategy, growth and business planning. · Collaborate closely with the Director of Marketing, Director of Corporate Partnerships, Operations and Partnership Fulfillment teams to align event and property plans with broader Team objectives. · Develop productive, collaborative relationships with League personnel, venues, external partners, agencies, vendors and community stakeholders. · Lead through influence and collaboration, aligning cross-functional teams and external stakeholders who may not report directly to the role. · Represent the Texas Rattlers professionally and effectively with senior partners and stakeholders. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities · Exceptional project and workflow management skills, with the ability to organize complex initiatives, establish priorities and drive accountability. · Strong financial acumen, including forecasting, budgeting, bid management, P&L management, profitability analysis and financial reporting. · Entrepreneurial mindset with demonstrated ability to identify opportunities, build business cases and turn ideas into successful programs or businesses. · Bias for Action; thrives and adapts quickly in a dynamic, growth-oriented culture and business environment. · Creative thinker with the ability to develop distinctive experiences and consistently deliver surprise and delight. · Brings a Growth and Learning Mindset to the role and organization, continually seeking new ideas, capabilities and better ways to operate. · Proven leadership ability, including managing contractors and temporary personnel and leading cross-functional teams through influence and mentoring. · Exceptional collaboration and relationship-building skills across internal departments and external partners. · Strong negotiation and vendor-management skills. · Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects concurrently. · Exceptional written, verbal and presentation communication abilities. · Comfortable operating strategically while also being willing to be hands-on when needed to deliver successful events. · Embody and encourage Texas Rattlers Team Values (“Humble Excellence”); consistently uphold a positive and professional demeanor, particularly in high-intensity situations. · Proficiency in Google Workspace and MS Office Suite Required Experience · 6-8+ years of progressively responsible experience in live events, sports, entertainment, experiential marketing, festivals, hospitality or a related business. · Demonstrated experience conceiving and producing successful live events and experiences for audiences ranging from 50 to 5,000 attendees. · Proven P&L, budgeting and forecasting responsibility for events, programs or business units. · Experience developing and managing complex project plans, workflows, vendors and cross-functional teams. · Demonstrated entrepreneurial results, including creating, launching, growing or materially improving revenue-generating programs, events or business properties. · Experience managing and motivating employees, contractors, temporary personnel and/or independent contractors. · Sports, live entertainment, festival or experiential-event experience strongly preferred; exceptional candidates from other relevant live-event industries will be considered. Education & Formal Training · College degree or equivalent experience. Working Conditions · On-site role: regular in-office workdays (9a-5p Mon-Fri) in Fort Worth, TX. · Ability to work flexible hours; frequent extended hours including evenings and weekends surrounding live events and major programs. · Ability to travel as required for events, property development and partner meetings. · Event schedules will periodically require significant on-site leadership outside normal business hours.