Summary

The NFL’s Live Event Production group is seeking an experienced event producer to lead the planning and delivery of the NFL Draft. 

As Director of NFL Draft Production, you will oversee all logistical and operational aspects of one of the League’s premier tentpole events. This role is responsible for ensuring exceptional experiences for prospects, clubs, media, fans, and stakeholders, while continuing to elevate the Draft as a global showcase. 

 Working cross-functionally with NFL departments, you will align event execution with organizational objectives and manage a full roster of production partners to drive operational excellence and efficiency. 

Responsibilities

• Direct end-to-end event planning, from master site design through load-out and post-event reconciliation. 

• Provide creative leadership to evolve and expand the Draft format, driving innovation that enhances the event’s global profile and fan engagement. 

• Evaluate and design greenfield sites, developing comprehensive layouts, access routes, and infrastructure requirements. 

• Cultivate and sustain strong partnerships with local organizing committees, host clubs, and community leaders in the host city. 

• Establish and enforce standard operating procedures for site access, crowd flow, and crowd management across the entire venue footprint. 

• Lead development and execution of the transportation plan in collaboration with vendors, encompassing NFL constituent logistics, public transit integration, parking management, and fan transportation operations. 

• Produce and maintain comprehensive production documentation, including CAD layouts, structural renderings, schedules, staffing plans, and related materials. 

• Administer multiple operational budgets, driving cost efficiencies through vendor tenders, RFP processes, and strategic resource allocation. 

• Collaborate cross-functionally across all NFL departments, integrating diverse objectives and resources to ensure seamless execution of the Draft. 

• Provide operational support for additional NFL tentpole events as assigned. 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred (e.g., MBA, Master’s in Event Management, or related field). 

• Minimum of 10 years of leadership experience in live event production, specifically in green field or festival style events. 

• Demonstrated track record of leading large, complex, high-profile events with operational excellence. 

• Proven experience managing multi-disciplinary teams, external vendors, and cross-functional stakeholders. 

• Strong strategic, financial (P&L), and negotiation skills, including experience with RFP/RFI processes to secure best-in-class production partners. 

• Extensive, proven track record of delivering highly successful green field, music festival or other large-scale live events 

• Proven leader with history of managing large, complex teams and multi-stakeholder projects 

• Strong P&L management experience with accountability for budget, revenue, and cost optimization 

• Exceptional negotiation skills, including RFP/RFI management, to secure best-in-class production partners and vendors 

• Culture carrier: consistently drives a positive and inclusive work environment, fostering staff development at all career stages 

• Strong organizational, strategic, and stakeholder management skills 

• The ability to balance operational excellence with creative, high-impact experiences 

• Willingness and ability to travel extensively, including domestic and international markets 

Other Key Attributes / Characteristics

• Strategic Vision: Sees the big picture, anticipates challenges, and aligns complex programs with organizational goals. 

• Proven Leadership: Inspires, develops, and motivates diverse teams, fostering a high-performance, inclusive culture. 

• Collaboration & Influence: Builds strong relationships across teams, stakeholders, and vendors to drive alignment and results. 

• Communication Excellence: Articulate, persuasive, and clear in high-stakes internal and external interactions. 

• Problem Solving & Adaptability: Thrives under pressure, making sound decisions while managing competing priorities. 

• Cultural Intelligence: Ensures programs authentically reflect local communities and promotes inclusivity. 

• Emotional Intelligence & Resilience: Demonstrates empathy, self-awareness, and composure in complex situations. 

• Innovation & Creativity: Balances operational rigor with creative thinking to continuously elevate fan and VIP experiences. 

Salary / Pay Range

This job posting contains a pay range, which represents the range of salaries or hourly rates that the NFL believes, in good faith, at the time of this posting that it might be willing to pay for the posted job in the location(s) specified. The NFL expects to hire for this position near the middle of the range. Only in truly rare and exceptional circumstances, where an external candidate has experience, credentials or expertise that far exceed those required or expected for the position, would the NFL consider paying a salary or rate near the higher end of the range. 

Physical Demands & Work Environment: 

• This is a hands-on, live event production role that requires working long hours, often under tight deadlines. 

• Must be able to work in a variety of conditions, including outdoor venues, stadiums, and temporary office setups. 

• The role requires extensive travel and physical demands during event execution. 

• Operates in a high-visibility, high-impact environment where careful attention to detail and sound decision-making under pressure are essential. 

• Must be able to manage the physical and mental demands of fast-paced, complex events while maintaining leadership presence and focus 

 

Travel/Work Requirements: 

• This role requires significant domestic and international travel, approximately 50–60% of the working year. 

• Travel will include some weekends due to the event and game calendar. 

• Extended periods on the road are expected during event planning and delivery, including multi-day assignments away from a home base. 

• Must be flexible and adaptable to changing schedules and locations while maintaining operational oversight and leadership presence 

• This is a full-time role, based on a standard 40-hour workweek. 

• The NFL operates on a 5-day, in-office schedule when not traveling 

• The NFL is committed to building an inclusive work environment that reflects our incredible fan base. We provide an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all employees and applicants without regard to status as protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws.