SUMMARY:
The Organized Play Specialist provides a key role in Upper Deck’s communications with our fan base and end-user through a variety of channels including social media, message boards, industry publications, gaming sites, hobby events and OP tournaments.  This position will coordinate with the entertainment and marketing teams to create an annual OP calendar, track all OP-related expenditures, organize all tournament logistics, coordinate registrations and manage all aspects of the OP database - including building and managing a volunteer pool for key OP events such as Gen Con.  

In addition to OP duties, the Organized Play Specialist will have specific product development responsibilities that include the creation, assembly, shipping and distribution of Upper Deck’s OP Kits to distributors and hobby shops.   The position will also assist with hobby marketing such as product and event advertisements, web banners, editorial and any co-op programs that involve entertainment products.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Developing and implementing polices, rules, and procedures for organized play events and tournaments
• Develop a volunteer staff for use at shows across North America
• Work with entertainment team to develop and manage store-level organized play programs
• Promote OP events and programs through all available channels
• Oversee the creation, assembly and distribution of OP Kits to distributors and shops
• Organically grow OP programs
• Analyzing OP participation numbers and trends in order to improve the OP program
• Manage ranking systems for players participating in the OP program
• Handle player suspensions, disqualifications, and investigations concerning player misconduct
• Track all OP-related expenditures
• Attend events as a UD representative
• Act as an event judge as needed
• Communicate with players, judges, tournament organizers, and the community about the program
• Monitor relevant boards, discussion forums, and other social media channels
• Collaborate with marketing, product development, and other teams to align OP with business goals
• Manage entertainment-related hobby co-op programs
• Provide new entertainment product information to UD authorized dealers on a regular basis
• Work with marketing and entertainment team to generate ideas for and executing contests and promotions 

INTERACTION

The OP Specialist will interact cross-departmentally to create and develop programs and materials for OP related events.  They will also be responsible for growing the Upper Deck consumer/fan base by interacting daily through forums and all social media outlets.

This position will be considered as an ambassador between Upper Deck and our consumer/player base. Direct face time with stores and consumers through store level events or major conventions will play an important role. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Will assist with the supervision of onsite judges and volunteer staff at OP events

EDUCATION/YEARS EXPERIENCE

• 2+  years professional experience
• Social Media expertise
• Organized Play knowledge and experience

JOB REQUIREMENTS 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to work with cross functional teams
• Work with Marketing and Brand team to come up with new activations for our player base
• Strong knowledge of pop culture art and artists from the comic, movie, television and gaming fields
• Positive ties to social media environments and various related message boards
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to provide and accept feedback and maintain relationships with thousands of Upper Deck consumers
• Ability to travel
• Trading card experience is preferred
• Gaming experience (TCG, Board, Video) is preferred
• PC and/or MAC skills including Microsoft Office Suite, file sharing and familiarity with the internet
• Game development and Organized Play knowledge is a plus

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment is an office setting. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.