Organized Play Manager

Position Summary:

Experienced Organized Play professional responsible for overseeing the Card Business Organized Play Team, including the strategic development, execution, and operational management of all Organized Play programs and premier events across Tier 2 and above initiatives. Responsible for event strategy, tournament operations, logistics oversight, budgeting, team leadership, and cross-functional collaboration to support Duelist engagement, Organized Play growth, and market expansion within the trading card game industry.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the Organized Play Team in the planning, development, and execution of all Organized Play programs and premier-level events across assigned territories.
• Collaborate with the Organized Play team and Warehouse Manager to ensure all Organized Play event materials are created and shipped out in accordance with event deadlines.
• Develop and manage Organized Play programs and tournament initiatives, including prize support, select in-store events, Regional Qualifiers, and Tier 3 tournaments.
• Work with the Official Tournament Store (OTS) Manager and establish strategic goals and quarterly performance targets for Organized Play programs with emphasis on increasing Yu-Gi-Oh! market share and Duelist participation within the TCG industry in collaboration with the Director of Organized Play.
• Manage annual Organized Play budgets, forecasting, prize support allocations, promotional materials, and operational expenses for Tier 2 and above Organized Play programs set by the Director of Organized Play.
• Collaborate with OTS Manager and analyze Organized Play performance metrics, attendance trends, player engagement, and store participation data using Tableau-generated reports. Provide regular insights, performance updates, and strategic recommendations to upper management to support program growth, improve engagement, and optimize operational effectiveness.
• Collaborate with Directors and cross-functional departments to develop and implement Organized Play strategies, promotional initiatives, and tournament programs aligned with product launches and company objectives.
• Collaborate with the Organized Play Project Manager to ensure all projects remain on schedule and are executed seamlessly and effectively. Communicate updates, procedural changes, and strategic recommendations to the Organized Play Director as needed.
• Maintain strong industry knowledge related to collectibles, hobby gaming, Organized Play programs, and secondary market trends involving competing brands and product releases.
• Oversee the operation and implementation of online and offline tournament software platforms.
• Oversee tournament paperwork processing, reimbursement approvals, operational workflows, and reporting accuracy for Organized Play events.
• Review and approve Event Recaps, FAQs, Ops Docs, and Organized Play procedures.
• Review and approve the Regional Qualifier scheduling strategy for all core booster releases, ensuring qualification standards are met, and schedules are optimized to maximize attendance and regional coverage.
• Support Tier 3 and above event operations, attend Organized Play events, conventions, and industry functions as needed.
• Supervise, mentor, and support Organized Play staff, including Associate Managers, Specialists, Coordinators, and contractors as needed.

The successful candidate will possess:

• Strong leadership, decision-making, and analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including presentation and reporting abilities.
• Ability to lead projects independently while exercising sound judgment, discretion, and strategic thinking.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong problem-solving and operational management capabilities.
• Excellent strategic planning, budgeting, marketing and forecasting abilities.
• The ability to travel.

Required Experience:

• Bachelor or higher in Marketing or Business, or equitable job experience.
• Minimum of 5 - 7 years’ experience in entertainment or consumer goods categories.
• Minimum of 2–3 years of management or team leadership experience preferred.
• Extensive tournament or consumer event experience required.
• Spanish language fluency (Portuguese a plus).
• Must have strong working knowledge of MS Word, MS Excel, and MS Power Point.
• MS Access, MS Project, Illustrator or Photoshop skills a plus.