In-Store Events & Community Manager (Trading Cards & Sports) at Midwest Cards – Columbus, Ohio

In-Store Events & Community Manager (Trading Cards & Sports)

Location

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

About the 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.

Key Responsibilities

Event Strategy & Development

• 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

Event Execution & Operations

• 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

Marketing & Promotion

• 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

Community Building

• 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

Required Experience & Qualifications

Must-Haves (Non-Negotiable)

• 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

Not a Fit If:

• 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

Ideal Candidate Traits

• 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

What We Offer

• 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

How to Apply

Please submit:

1. Your resume
2. A portfolio or case studies of events you personally led
3. A brief explanation of how your background aligns with owning and scaling in-store retail events

Local Columbus, Ohio candidates only.