Director of Sports Development
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is a private, not-for-profit organization contracted by Palm Beach County to promote and market the County as a sports destination. The Commission attracts, develops, and supports sporting events and activities to enhance economic impact, stimulate bed tax revenues, and maximize utilization of County facilities. The Sports Development Director will play a vital role in achieving the objectives and goals of the Sports Commission.
The Director of Sports Development is responsible for implementing strategies to identify, solicit, secure, and retain sporting events that will take place in Palm Beach County. This role will be responsible for developing and executing plans to promote Palm Beach County as a sports destination and bring a variety of state, regional, national, and international sporting events to Palm Beach County’s private and public sports venues. The position works closely with the Event Operations and Sports Marketing departments.
Duties
- Create and enhance relationships with events rights holders through a variety of communications to become aware of event hosting opportunities, including regular communication with both prospective and existing clients that offer event bidding or hosting opportunities
- Develop/prepare bid proposals to be presented to events rights holders
- Fully manage the bid process, including contractual agreements, budget preparation, securing and presenting appropriate venues, procurement of necessary supports services, coordination of housing accommodations, and other requirements as needed
- Develop event layouts and execute event plans as needed
- Build collaborative partnerships with stakeholders that are required to attract and host sporting events in Palm Beach County (facilities, hotels, parks & recreation, event equipment & service providers, chambers, municipalities, etc.)
- Maintain an inventory of Palm Beach County sports facilities, both private and public
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with local, statewide, regional, and national sports groups to maximize future event-hosting opportunities
- Promote and educate events rights holders about Palm Beach County and its sports assets and venues
- Organize and conduct familiarization tours, site visits, or site reviews with event owners
- Research event hosting opportunities by visiting industry websites for national and international sports organizations
- Engage with rights holders, NGBs, and other prospective business partners at industry conferences, trade shows, and meetings
- Travel to industry-related trade shows, conventions, and symposiums to entertain and make presentations to events right holders
- Act as a customer service agent to the portfolio of Palm Beach County supported sporting events
Sport Facilities
- Manage and enhance relationships with facility operators, which represent the single most important stakeholder in attracting and hosting sporting events (private and public sports venues, County & municipal parks & recreation departments, colleges & universities, & PBC School District are examples of facility owners)
- Develop and maintain a robust database of facilities capable of hosting sports events, including a list of private and public golf courses
- Assist with the research and analysis of future facility-related projects in Palm Beach County
Other
- Maintain event files and make sure they are current
- Adhere to the policies and procedures as laid out in the employee manual
- Complete other assigned duties as needed
Requirements/Qualifications
- Ability to work well independently on several projects concurrently and possess excellent organizational skills.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Demonstrate high energy level and flexibility coupled with sound judgment
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint