In-Store Events & Community Manager; Trading Cards & Sports

Location
Columbus, Ohio (Local candidates only – in-person role)

We are seeking a visionary, hands‑on In‑Store Events & Community Manager to design, build, and operate our in‑store event ecosystem from the ground up. This role is for someone whose primary professional focus has been creating engaging, high‑impact retail events—not someone who supported events occasionally alongside other responsibilities.

You will own the full lifecycle of our in‑store events: concept, planning, execution, promotion, and continuous optimization. Your work will directly drive foot traffic, sales, repeat visitation, and long‑term community loyalty within a trading card and sports‑focused retail environment.

This is a highly visible, execution‑heavy role that sits at the center of our customer experience.

• Design and maintain a robust, ongoing calendar of in‑store events
• Create compelling event formats such as trade nights, tournaments, breaks, release events, athlete or influencer appearances, and community nights
• Build repeatable event systems that can scale in cadence, attendance, and revenue
• Continuously test, refine, and evolve events based on performance and customer feedback

• Own end‑to‑end execution of in‑store events, from planning through teardown
• Manage logistics including staffing, scheduling, crowd flow, safety, equipment, and vendor coordination
• Successfully lead and manage events with 50+ attendees on a regular basis
• Maintain consistent execution quality during high‑volume and high‑energy periods

• Lead promotion of events across social media, email, in‑store signage, and community channels
• Create clear, compelling narratives that drive anticipation and repeat attendance
• Track and analyze performance metrics such as attendance, conversion, and repeat participation

• Build and nurture a highly engaged local trading card and sports community
• Develop relationships with collectors, breakers, influencers, athletes, and partners
• Serve as a visible, trusted leader and ambassador of our in‑store culture

• Professional experience where event creation and management was your PRIMARY job function
• Extensive experience creating, managing, and marketing retail in‑store events as an ongoing operational responsibility—not occasional or seasonal initiatives
• Proven experience managing groups of 50+ attendees consistently
• Demonstrated ability to scale event cadence, complexity, and attendance over time
• Direct experience with trading cards and/or sports culture
• Ability to provide a portfolio of events you personally developed and led, including:
  Photos and/or videos, social proof (attendance numbers, engagement, promotions, or press), and clear explanation of your role and responsibilities

• Events were a secondary or “as‑needed” part of your role
• You primarily managed a store, brand, or team and only supported events occasionally
• You cannot demonstrate ownership of events from concept through execution

• Visionary builder who thrives in experience‑driven retail
• Highly organized, operationally strong, and detail‑oriented
• Comfortable leading large groups in energetic environments
• Strong marketer and storyteller who understands urgency and community
• Deep passion for trading cards, sports, and collector culture

• Ownership of a growing, experience‑driven in‑store event program
• Creative autonomy to design a standout retail experience
• Competitive compensation aligned with experience
• Opportunity for future growth as the event program and team scale
• A chance to become a recognized leader in the Columbus trading card and sports community

Please submit:

• Your resume
• A portfolio or case studies of events you personally led
• A brief explanation of how your background aligns with owning and scaling in‑store retail events

Local Columbus, Ohio candidates only.