Sports Development Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Sports Development Manager promotes Greater Milwaukee as a premier destination for sports-related events, conferences, and competitions. This role drives sales and marketing efforts to recruit new sporting events, directs business leads to key partners, including the Wisconsin Center District, and develops strategic initiatives to grow Sports Milwaukee’s event portfolio. The position works closely with Visit Milwaukee’s Event Experience and Marketing teams to strengthen Milwaukee’s reputation as a top sports destination.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Implement the department’s strategic sales goals and objectives generated by the Director of Sports Milwaukee, while providing leadership in support of the organization’s mission, vision, and annual priorities
• Build and strengthen relationships with event rights holders through ongoing communication with prospective and existing clients to generate bidding and hosting opportunities
• Recruit new sports events to the Greater Milwaukee area and maintain strong relationships with local, state, and national sports organizations that support sports tourism
• Develop, coordinate, and execute comprehensive bid strategies, including:
• Maintaining accurate account files and CRM databases
• Distributing qualified sales leads to appropriate partner organizations
• Preparing and delivering presentations and formal bid proposals
• Coordinating and conducting site inspections and destination visits prior to or during the RFP process
• Maintain working knowledge of Wisconsin Center District operating procedures to book event space and issue license agreements
• Manage the full bid and event acquisition process, including contractual negotiations, budget development, venue selection, support services procurement, and housing coordination
• Build and maintain collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders required to attract and host sporting events throughout Greater Milwaukee
• Maintain an inventory of public and private sports facilities within the Greater Milwaukee area
• Promote and educate event rights holders on Milwaukee’s sports assets, venues, and infrastructure
• Organize and conduct familiarization tours, site visits, and destination reviews for sports event organizers
• Represent the organization at industry conferences, trade shows, sales missions, and other professional events to engage prospective partners and clients
• Develop and manage relationships with facility owners and operators, including public venues, parks and recreation departments, educational institutions, and school districts
• Assist with research and analysis related to future sports facility and infrastructure development projects in Milwaukee County
• Prepare and submit timely reports as requested by supervisors or the President/CEO
• Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisors or the President/CEO
• Collaborate effectively with Sports Milwaukee and Visit Milwaukee staff to ensure a unified and impactful destination marketing effort

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

Required education and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in sports management, marketing, communications, or a related field
• Minimum of three to five years of experience in direct sales, sales and marketing, or a related discipline
• Sales experience within a destination management organization, convention center, hotel, or sports facility preferred

Required skills, knowledge, and abilities:

• Strong work ethic with demonstrated self-motivation to succeed in a competitive sales environment
• Proven experience in athletic and sports-related sales, with a solid leadership background
• Demonstrated understanding of budgeting and fiscal responsibility
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Excellent project management and team leadership skills
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
• Experience with contract negotiation and proposal development
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including professional presentation experience
• Involvement with the Sports Events & Tourism Association (SportsETA) preferred
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and CRM databases
• Ability to travel by air and personal vehicle; valid driver’s license required
• Willingness to attend tradeshows, industry trainings, and other events as needed, representing Sports Milwaukee at local, regional, and national events
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit or stand at desk, operate computer keyboard and view computer screen for six to eight hours per day.
• Must be able to hear and converse via telephone and in person.
• Must be able to stand and/or walk for extended periods of time
• May be required to lift boxes and small equipment up to 50 pounds in weight.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization