General Purpose:
USA Wrestling is seeking a highly organized and technically skilled Events Production Manager to support the execution of national-level events, with a primary focus on show calling, run-of-show management, technical production, site logistics, and venue safety. This hands-on role reports to the Director of National Events and is critical to delivering professional, safe, and engaging live event experiences. The ideal candidate thrives in fast-paced environments, demonstrates exceptional situational awareness, and can coordinate multiple operational elements simultaneously while maintaining composure under pressure.
Key Responsibilities:
Show Calling & Run-of-Show Management
- Develop, maintain, and execute detailed run-of-show documents for competitions, ceremonies, and presentations including timing match introductions and intermission lengths.
- Serve as show caller during premier events, cueing production elements including audio, video, lighting, announcers, presentations, officials, and competition flow.
- Coordinate timing with internal teams, broadcast partners, officials, competition staff, and venue operations to ensure seamless program delivery.
- Lead production meetings and pre-event briefings to align internal teams, vendors, and volunteers on show flow and responsibilities.
- Monitor live event progress and make real-time adjustments to maintain schedule integrity and audience engagement.
Technical Production
- Coordinate technical production needs including sound, lighting, video boards, replay, streaming, scoring interfaces, and communications systems.
- Liaise with internal teams, production vendors, venue technical staff, and broadcast teams to ensure equipment and content readiness, testing, and troubleshooting.
- Oversee and assist with setup, operation, and strike of production equipment and ensure adherence to technical specifications and safety standards.
- Manage communication protocols among production positions during live operations.
Site Logistics
- Support venue advance planning including load-in/load-out schedules, floor plans, equipment placement, signage, and back-of-house operations.
- Source and coordinate rentals for stages, trussing, lighting, barricades, pipe-and-drape, and wrestling platforms.
- Act as the primary point of contact for building management regarding power drops, internet drops, loading dock schedules, and HVAC/lighting requirements.
- Use CAD or event-mapping software to design the arena floor plan. This includes mat placement, mat chairman/judge locations, "Red/Blue" coaching corner designations, media zones, and spectator ingress/egress routes to prevent bottlenecks.
Venue Safety & Risk Management
- Support implementation of venue safety plans, emergency procedures, and risk mitigation strategies.
- Coordinate with security to manage athlete flow from practice area to the mats and fan movement.
- Lead the crew during the physical setup and strike, ensuring all equipment is returned and the venue is restored.
- Coordinate with venue security, medical teams, and operations leadership on incident response protocols.
Event Operations Support
- Assist with on-site event setup and breakdown, including unloading/loading trucks and positioning production assets as needed.
- Collaborate with internal departments (National Teams, Business Development, Communications, etc.) to align operational needs.
- Effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks under pressure and adapting to changing demands in high-stakes environments.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Sports Administration, Event Production, Sports Management, Technical Theater, or a related field is preferred.
- 5+ years of relevant experience in live event production, sports presentation, broadcast operations, or technical event management.
- Strong organizational skills and exceptional time-management abilities, with the capacity to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines under pressure.
- Hands-on experience with LED processors (e.g., NovaStar), video switchers, and event software like ShoFlo or Vectorworks.
- Ability to make split-second decisions while "on the mic" in a high-energy environment.
- Proven ability to read blueprints, coordinate multi-vendor rentals, and manage local labor crews (stagehands/union).
- Excellent communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.
- Ability to work independently as well as within a team environment.
- Proactive, reliable, punctual, and customer-focused with a positive, "can-do" attitude.
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and occasional late nights during the event season.
Physical Requirements:
- Must be comfortable standing for long periods and capable of lifting up to 40 lbs.
Travel Requirements:
- This role involves approximately 7-8 domestic trips per year, including weekends and occasional late evenings required during event season.
Hiring Pay Range:
Compensation commensurate with experience.
$65,000 - $80,0000 annually.
Benefits:
- Paid vacation, personal, and sick leave.
- Over 10 paid holidays per year.
- 403(b) retirement plan.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Employer-paid life insurance.
Location & Work Environment:
The USA Wrestling office is based in Colorado Springs, CO - ability to work from the office is required.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
USA Wrestling is an equal opportunity employer and will provide consideration for employment to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
