What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sponsorship Activation and Entertainment Internship (Summer 2025) position at Bismarck Larks?
The Bismarck Larks are offering internship opportunities for current college students with fun, outgoing personalities and an interest in sponsorships and game day entertainment to gain experience and knowledge in sponsorship activation, marketing, event management and entertainment. Bismarck Larks internships provide students with immersive, hands-on-learning to help position them for a career in the sports, entertainment and event industry upon graduation.
Who We Are
The Bismarck Larks joined the Northwoods League (NWL) in 2017. The NWL is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 25 teams, drawing more fans than any league of its kind. The NWL provides top college players from North America and beyond a summer collegiate baseball experience. More than 350 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball in the NWL’s 31-year history.
The Bismarck Larks became the first team in NWL history to win NWL Organization of the Year in back-to-back seasons (2017 & 2018). The Larks sold out 27 of 36 home games in 2017 (75%) and continued their success in 2018 selling out 30 of 36 home games with an average overall attendance of more than 68,000 fans.
In 2020, the Larks became the first sports team in the country to play safely with fans in the stands during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the Larks sold out 92% of every ticket and were named one of the top 30 employers in sports by Front Office Sports in the company of the Denver Broncos and Savannah Bananas.
In 2023, the Larks were viral for rebranding to the Missouri River Motorboaters, hosted the NWL All-Star Game aired on ESPNU, aired two games on NBC - North Dakota, debuted the NWL’s biggest videoboard, and hosted fans from 33 different states.
The Larks are committed to their mission of using FUN to make a difference in the lives of our community, employees, players, and interns.
Who We’re Looking For
The Bismarck Larks are looking for Sponsorship Activation and Entertainment interns to join their team in Bismarck, North Dakota for the 2025 season. The Sponsorship Activation and Entertainment interns will support the entertainment and sponsorship activation teams. We’re looking for a passionate, talented and positive person who strives for excellence, happiness and inspires the same in others.
The Internship Position
As a Sponsorship Activation and Entertainment intern, you will help plan and execute game day entertainment elements while creating a fun, entertaining and memorable atmosphere for fans and the community. In addition, you will ensure all team sponsor promotions and events are planned, fulfilled and executed while providing the highest level of service to fans and partners.
You’ll work closely with the sponsorship and entertainment teams and other internal departments to assist with promotion, event and entertainment elements. This includes but is not limited to assisting with the execution of all marketing elements, tracking the progress of promotions and events, organizing and collecting elements for post-season recaps, and serving as a Larks representative for all sponsor promotions, events, Larks games and Funatix events
Start Date: May 5, 2025
End Date: August 17, 2025
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should be studying a subject in a relevant field. This may include but is not limited to Sport Management, Marketing, Mass Communication, Hospitality.
Roles and Responsibilities
Office Responsibilities:
- Assist with planning, executing and tracking sponsor promotions and events and provide updates frequently to the Sponsorship Experience Director
- Update Asana platform throughout the season with sponsorship promotion and event elements for partner recaps
- Update and maintain master calendar with entertainment updates throughout the season
- Assist with all sponsorship activation elements including but not limited to: updating sponsor signage, distributing sponsor items, inserting handouts into programs prior to every home game, etc.
- Assist with the preparation of sponsorship recap booklets
- Activating partnership relationships with sponsorship properties and account executives
- Learning about and assisting in managing and planning sponsorship marketing programs, leveraging existing assets in the sponsors current sponsorship contracts
- Execute sponsorship contests, including gathering entries, calling winners, and facilitating prize distribution
- Oversee sponsorship contracts and ensure all elements are being executed in-season, including but not limited to: Coordinating sponsored giveaway items in conjunction with the Entertainment team, off-site appearances at sponsored events, etc.
Game and Event Responsibilities:
- Responsible for all aspects of the guest service table including but not limited to: set-up, tear-down, inventory, guest relations, etc.
- Assist with the set-up of the Larks Family Fun Zone area every home game
- Assist with the organization and inventory of all game day entertainment and sponsor materials including but not limited to: programs, giveaway items, costumes, props, signage, etc.
- Represent the team at various Larks and Funatix Events and participate in other outside, community events, mascot appearances and player appearances, as defined by the team
- Assist with Funatix Event sponsorship and event activations
- Promote a positive fan experience by interacting with our fans in all areas of the ballpark
- Assist with in game touchpoints with sponsor accounts in attendance including but not limited to group photos, VIP drop ins, etc.
- Serve as points of contact for the entertainment team to ensure all promised sponsor elements are fulfilled.
General Team Responsibilities
- Game and Team Event Availability: Expected to be available for all Bismarck Larks home games and team events, this includes weekends and holidays.
- Funatix Event Availability: Expected to be available for all Funatix Events including but not limited to the Mandan Rodeo Days, company picnics, festivals, etc. Full event list will be provided. This includes weekends and holidays.
- Game Day and Event Hours: Expected to be available from mid to late morning through the end of the game and/or event. Schedule will be decided by the direct supervisor on a homestand and event basis.
- Non-Game Day/Event Hours: Expected to attend office hours of 9 AM-5 PM each weekday.
- Assist with distribution of team pocket schedules, posters and other marketing materials throughout the stadium and community
- Assist with ballpark set-up and tear-down before-the-season, after-the-season and during each homestand
- Assist with event set-up and tear-down at team events and Funatix Events
- Assist with Family Fun zone set-up and tear-down
- Maintain ballpark cleanliness including but not limited to: cleaning tables, chairs, Family Fun Zone area, etc.
- Every intern will be required to perform as the mascot at least once during the summer
- All other duties as assigned by Larks front office staff
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Availability to work all home games, team events and Funatix Events
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Extremely out-going, charismatic and personable
- Ability to display confidence in front of an audience and on camera
- Ability to perform well and maintain character while under stressors or other circumstances
- Ability to think creatively and outside-the-box
- Must be a team player with strong leadership and communication skills
- Must be enthusiastic with a desire to work hard and have a positive “can‐do” attitude
- Ability to multi‐task and handle responsibility
- Self‐ motivated and ability to take initiative
- Enthusiastic team player, shows enjoyment and interest in working collaboratively
- Uphold our core values: Best, Uplift, Nerve, Teamwork. These core values set the tone in everything we do, help us succeed on and off the field, make a difference in the community and provide the best experience in sports. It is important that the person in the position commits themselves to these core values.
- Uphold our service vision: Happy People Making People Happy. We want people who love what they do, who find joy in making others laugh or smile, who want to use fun and happiness to make a difference in the lives of coworkers, clients and fans.
Reports To:Sponsorship Experience Director
Stipend & Housing: This is an unpaid internship. Team does offer a stipend to help cover expenses such as housing, transportation, food etc. Team offers 2 options to accommodate interns who are local and interns will travel to Bismarck for the internship.
Option 1-
Stipend-$1000/Month
Housing-Not Provided. Intern is responsible for providing their own housing.
Option 2-
Stipend-$500/Month
Housing- Provided. Intern is responsible for deposit and utilities.
Credit: College credit towards a major, minor or general elective may be earned.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
Salary : $500 - $1,000
