Community Activation Ambassador

The Community Activation Ambassador positon will play a critical role in launching and operating the Wilmington Arena Project's newest grassroots initiative: the Mobile Activation Unit (MAU).

The MAU is designed to bring sports, physical activity, and community engagement directly to schools, youth organizations, nonprofits, festivals, and community events throughout the Wilmington region. Using a portable floor hockey rink, structured curriculum, team competitions, and educational programming, the initiative introduces students and families to the benefits of teamwork, physical activity, and community involvement while building awareness for the Wilmington Arena Project's long-term vision.

As an Operations Intern, you will help manage the day-to-day execution of these activations. This includes coordinating event logistics, transporting and setting up equipment, delivering curriculum-based activities, engaging with participants, and ensuring every activation is executed professionally and safely.

This is a highly hands-on role for someone who wants real-world experience in sports operations, event management, community engagement, youth programming, and nonprofit leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate Mobile Activation Unit programming at public middle schools, private schools, community centers, and public events.
• Assist with transportation, setup, operation, and breakdown of the portable floor hockey rink and related equipment.
• Deliver structured sports curriculum, relay races, skill challenges, and team competitions designed to promote physical activity and teamwork.
• Ensure activities align with educational and physical education objectives while creating an engaging and memorable experience for participants.
• Serve as a positive ambassador for the Wilmington Arena Project and interact professionally with students, teachers, school administrators, parents, sponsors, and community leaders.
• Maintain activation schedules and communicate effectively with partner organizations before, during, and after events.
• Manage equipment inventory and ensure all materials are organized, maintained, and activation-ready.
• Support community outreach efforts, fundraising events, and grassroots awareness campaigns.

Skills & Qualifications

• Pursuing or recently completed a degree in Sports Management, Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Recreation Management, Physical Education, Education, Event Management, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.
• Passion for sports, youth development, and community engagement.
• Strong verbal communication and public-facing interpersonal skills.
• Comfortable leading groups of children and speaking in front of classrooms or community audiences.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• High level of accountability and professionalism.
• Self-starter who can work independently while taking ownership of responsibilities.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to adapt in dynamic event environments.
• Ability to represent the organization professionally in public settings.

Preferred Experience

• Coaching, teaching, camp counseling, officiating, mentoring, or youth leadership experience.
• Participation in organized sports as an athlete, coach, or volunteer.
• Experience planning or working events.
• Experience with nonprofit or community-based organizations.
• CPR/First Aid certification is a plus.

The ideal candidate is energetic, dependable, passionate about sports, and excited by the opportunity to help grow a community-driven movement from the ground up. They understand that meaningful impact happens through consistent effort, professionalism, and authentic community engagement.

This role is ideal for someone who wants to gain practical experience while helping bring the vision of a community-owned multipurpose arena for Wilmington closer to reality through direct engagement with the people it will ultimately serve.

Every activation, school visit, and community event helps build awareness, participation, and support for the Wilmington Arena Project's mission. As an Operations Intern, you will have the opportunity to directly influence thousands of students and community members while helping create a lasting legacy for the Wilmington region.