Arena and Operations Graduate Associate

Kick‑start your career in sports and entertainment.

Our Graduate Associate Program is a full‑time, immersive, post‑graduate opportunity designed for recent college graduates who are ready to gain real‑world experience in a fast‑paced, professional sports organization. This program offers hands‑on learning, meaningful responsibility, and exposure to leaders across the business — all while working in a collaborative, high‑energy environment.

Click on Watch to hear more about the program.

This position will start on 7/13/26 and run through 6/26/27.

The Arena Experience & Operations Graduate Associate will focus on assisting in all Magic game day logistics and operational duties that pertain to the Kia Center.

• Assist Arena Experience and Operations with game day preparations, including detailed walkthroughs of both Magic exclusive spaces and Kia Center arena floors and concourses.
• Act as a liaison between internal departments and Kia Center building partners to communicate all event logistics.
• Work with internal teams to collect operational and maintenance requests, submit to City Operations, and manage tasks through completion.
• Provide support to key departments:
  Broadcasting, Business Strategy, Client Services, Corporate Office, Global Partnerships, Marketing, People Team, Premium Sales/Service, Retail, and Ticket Sales to ensure all operational needs are met for game nights, game‑day hospitality events, and non‑game day events.
• Work closely with Kia Center building partners to understand their responsibilities and how each group supports the broader operational framework of the arena.
• Perform essential administrative duties including data tracking, spreadsheet management, auditing, inventory assessment, document and SOP maintenance, and organizing operational information with a high level of attention to detail to support daily operations.
• Assist Arena Experience and Operations with customer service issues.
• Conduct Kia Center tours as needed.
• All other duties as assigned.

• Post Grad (recent college graduates within 24 months of graduation) or graduate‑level college students required.
• Related education and/or experience in venue operations, sports management, gameday/event operations, team/player operations preferred.
• Event Management experience preferred.
• Customer experience strongly preferred.
• Proficient in all Microsoft Office products and other related computer skills required.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and work well under pressure.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with an emphasis on business writing skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks/projects and support multiple positions.
• Ability to work independently without supervision, be self‑directed and demonstrate initiative.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others for whom you have no direct supervisory authority.
• Strong teamwork and team synergy skills required.
• Excellent ability to establish rapport with others and ability to build strong interpersonal relationships.
• Exhibit good judgment and decision‑making skills.
• Ability to be creative.
• Willingness to work long and irregular hours with a flexible schedule based on the changing priorities of the department.

Compensation and Benefits:

• $18/hour plus overtime
• 5 days of PLT
• Game tickets during Magic season (as available)
• 40% discount on Orlando Magic merchandise
• Medical coverage option

• Relocation and housing expenses are the responsibility of the Graduate Associate (Please note that while we have a hybrid work model, this does require you to live and work out of the Orlando, Florida area.)
• Reliable transportation is also needed.

• Office Hours - M-F, 9:00 a.m.
  
  -6:00 p.m.
• Based on role determines in office and remote working by the manager
• Most Associates work all game nights (44 home games + playoffs and finals) including weekends and holidays
• Culture built on Community, Innovation, Legendary and Teamwork!

None.

If this opportunity is a job you're passionate about and it fits with your skills and…