Program Manager, Experiential - Activations

Project Manager, Experiential - Activations

INNOCEAN USA, a full-service ad agency located in sunny Huntington Beach, CA, is seeking an Experiential Program Manager to join our KIA FIFA team!

Our ideal candidate has 3-5 years’ experience in event marketing – activations and hospitality, preferably in an ad agency setting.

This is a contract role starting 7/21/25 through 8/31/26.

We are a hybrid workplace, x2 days week in-office. Candidates must be local to SoCal.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Experiential Program Manager will be the day-to-day lead overseeing preparation and execution of all FIFA in-stadium, fan fest, and shuttle service activations. The Experiential Program Manager will work with client, vendors, FIFA, and internal team to ensure that all activation deliverables are met with exceptional attention to detail and provide a uniquely positive experience for Kia consumers.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Experiential Program Manager of FIFA World Cup 2026 is responsible for overseeing the concept development, preparation, and execution of all activation components inclusive of:

• Activations: 
  • 5 In-Stadium Footprints 
    • Approx 9 games per market:  Los Angeles, Seattle, Kansas City, Dallas, Philadelphia 
  • 5 FIFA Fan Festival Locations
    • Approx 34 days of activations per market: Los Angeles, Seattle, Kansas City, Dallas, Philadelphia
• Shuttle And Fleet Management
  • 50 vehicles in Los Angeles market
  • 50 vehicles in Dallas market
• Oversight and management of all vendors involved with footprint build, premiums production, permitting, insurance, storage, parking
• Management of all onsite brand ambassadors and drivers
• Activation Staff = upwards of 60 brand ambassadors
• Shuttle Staff = upwards of 100 product trained drivers
• Ensure all projects are executed to plan through internal team, agency resources, and workflow process
• Fully understand the client’s business and maintain current industry knowledge
• Development of a positive relationship with all client contacts, vendors, and FIFA leads.
• Assist in developing, tracking, and reconciling project budgets.
• Responsible for communication between client, vendors, staffing, and FIFA.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 3-5 years’ experience in event marketing – activations and hospitality, preferably in an ad agency setting.
• Sports and/or automotive activations a big plus.  
• Proficient in MS office
• Demonstrated creative and critical thinking with the ability to build multi-channel programs from concept through to execution
• Track record of building strong long term client relationships
• Pension to drive for results and highest quality standards
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to keep composure and adapt in high pressure situations
• Commitment to continuous improvement and lifelong learning
• Superior organizational and time management skills with a strong attention to detail

BENEFITS:

• Access to our health benefits
• Paid sick days and holidays
• 401k - up to 6% match at .70 cents on the dollar
• On-site Barista
• Beautiful campus across from the Pacific Ocean

The salary range for this role is $77,000 - $88,000.  Pay is dependent upon several factors including but not limited to: client, experience, training and/or transferable skills.

Who are we? We are explorers. We look out to the edge of the world and ask, "where haven't we been before?" Together, we hunt for an intersection of art and science, creativity bolstered by data. Storytelling layered in strategy. Innovation rich in intelligence. Our adventures are many, our quests, undaunted. Our possibility is as vast as the ocean. Always remembering, the deeper we dive, the greater we become. And the further we go, the more we find.