Activation Manager, Rocket Classic Golf Tournament

This is a Full Time Job

Activation Manager, Rocket Classic (Contract)

Job Summary:

The Rocket Classic Golf Tournament is seeking an experienced Activation Manager to lead and execute fan-facing and partner activations for the 2026 tournament. This role is responsible for planning, managing, and delivering high-quality activations that enhance the overall tournament experience while ensuring sponsor and brand objectives are met.

The Activation Manager will directly manage a minimum of three (3) Activation Specialists and serve as a key point of coordination between tournament leadership, brand partners, vendors, and on-site staff. This is a hands-on role based in Detroit, Michigan requiring strong leadership, organization, and live event execution skills.

** This is a temporary position lasting approximately 5 months (March-August 2026).

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Activation Strategy & Execution
• Plan, coordinate, and execute all assigned on-site activations for the Rocket Classic Golf Tournament.
• Ensure activations align with tournament goals, brand standards, and sponsor deliverables.
• Oversee setup, operation, and teardown of activation spaces before, during, and after tournament week.
• Proactively identify and resolve on-site issues to ensure seamless execution.

Team Leadership & Management
• Directly manage and supervise a minimum of four Activation Specialists.
• Develop staffing schedules, assign responsibilities, and ensure proper coverage for all activations.
• Train, support, and provide ongoing feedback to activation staff.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for activation-related issues during the event.

Partner & Vendor Coordination
• Act as a liaison between tournament stakeholders, brand partners, and activation teams.
• Coordinate with vendors, production teams, and operations staff to ensure timely delivery and installation of activation elements.
• Ensure all partner activation requirements are executed accurately and professionally.

Operational Planning & Reporting
• Assist in developing activation timelines, run-of-show documents, and staffing plans.
• Manage activation assets, inventory, and on-site materials.
• Provide post-event summaries, insights, and feedback as requested.

Required Qualifications
• 3–5 years of experience in event marketing, experiential marketing, sports marketing, or live event operations.
• Demonstrated experience managing on-site teams and supervising multiple staff members.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to work long hours, including evenings and weekends, in a fast-paced live event environment.
• Ability to work on-site in Detroit for the full duration of the contract.

Preferred Experience:
• Experience supporting large-scale sporting events, golf tournaments, or festivals.
• Familiarity with sponsor activations and fulfillment of brand deliverables.
• Experience managing contract or temporary event staff.