Sports & Entertainment Cross-Department Project Manager

Sports And Entertainment Project Manager

IBM is bringing technology innovation and consulting expertise to the world of sports and entertainment, transforming fan experiences across golf, tennis, motorsports, football, UFC, and music. Our solutions enable partners to deliver world-class digital experiences that resonate with fans globally. We collaborate with brands that represent the pinnacle of achievement, cultural significance, and passionleveraging commercially available technology to showcase IBM's capabilities in authentic, meaningful ways that both clients and fans can experience first-hand.

The SEP Project Manager (SPM) plays a critical role across SEP and cross-functional teams, overseeing the portfolio of project timelines spanning technology and MCC partners. The SPM is responsible for creating, managing, and implementing an integrated project timeline that keeps all stakeholders aligned and provides a single, transparent view of SEP programs and deadlines. The role is anchored in three key areas : program transparency, partner management (internal and external), and operational excellence.

SPM collaborates with Program, Hospitality, and Technology Leaders to build timelines that account for all team needs and deadlines. Aligns with Operations to integrate financial milestones into timelines. Understands overall workflow and partner requirements, mapping clear milestones for SEP partners. Coordinates with cross-functional partners to capture key dates and consolidate them into a single master timeline. Partners closely with Brand Creative, Blue Studio, social teams, and agency partners to track progress and enforce deadlines. Supports continuous improvement by evolving processes and documenting best practices. Distributes weekly updates to cross-functional teams with upcoming milestones and priorities. Supports Program Leaders in meetings, driving alignment and key decisions. Sets up cross-functional status meetings, timelines, and documents, ensuring inputs are collected in advance. Monitors deliverables to ensure quality control and timeliness. Leads project closeout, including retrospectives with internal teams, agencies, and partners. Collects and organizes all final program assets. Escalates risks and missed deadlines to VP as needed. Ensures creative workflows and prioritization exercises are followed, raising blockers proactively. Role reports directly to VP Sports and Entertainment.

Demonstrated success developing and managing major sponsorships, partnerships, and experiential campaigns at live events. Deep understanding of sports and entertainment industries, including talent, rights holders, media platforms, and fan engagement. Experience working with sports / entertainment properties and agencies. Established network within sports leagues, entertainment studios, talent agencies, and influencer communities. Familiarity with digital and social media strategy as it relates to sponsorship and content activation.

Minimum 5-7 years of experience working in a matrixed organization or agency. IBM is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, caste, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, veteran status, or other characteristics. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.