Basketball Operations Internship Jobs in Chicago, IL

Background
Location: Remote; or Chicago HQ
Type: Full-time, permanent position
Division: College Sports
Reports to: VP, Sales & Marketing, College Sports
Overview
Intersport is an award-winning agency that fills the empty space between marketing campaigns and consumers - helping brands make more meaningful connections. Our industry-leading team includes 200+ team members supporting 50+ clients with services spanning content production, experiential and event marketing, hospitality, partnership consulting, creative, social and digital marketing, and platform development. We also own and operate event properties across the professional and collegiate sports landscape, focused on sports including basketball, football, golf, pickleball, and volleyball.
Intersport is seeking to add an energetic, driven and experienced Manager/Senior Manager, Ticket Sales to its College Sports team. The portfolio of College Sports events consists of owned and operated properties including the Fort Myers Tip-Off, CBS Sports Classic, West Coast Hoops Showdown, Greenbrier Tip-Off, Women's College Volleyball Showcase, College Slam Dunk Contest, Women's College All-Star Game and other continuously developing events - primarily in the college basketball space.
The Manager/Senior Manager, Ticket Sales is a full-time, permanent position. This team member will be responsible for leading all efforts to sell tickets for neutral site college basketball and volleyball events in a direct, outbound manner. This is a new position in the College Sports division, and the outbound sales efforts of this person will supplement the ongoing strategies to drive public ticket sales via more wide-ranging marketing and PR initiatives. This candidate should feel extremely comfortable and confident creating a group ticket sales plan, managing and motivating a small team of sales reps, and delivering results with ambitious sales goals. This person should also be very comfortable meeting new people and quickly building relationships - with both host venues and potential ticket buyers or group leaders. Intersport operates as a promoter who rents arenas and uses the venues' existing ticket systems, box offices and group sales teams (when applicable), so this candidate will juggle several business contacts across the country. Knowledge of and interest in college basketball is preferred, since this position will need to identify group sales targets effectively and craft impactful and knowledgeable sales pitches.
Responsibilities
Develop, Execute and Lead a New Initiative to Build Out Group Ticket Sales

• Bring expertise and experience in outbound group sales to collaborate with the College Sports Ticket Sales & Marketing team to create a new, strategic outbound group sales initiativ
• Recommend staffing structures, discounted pricing plans, group experiences and more

Hire, Train, Support and Motivate a Small Team of Group Sales Reps

• Help create a recommendation for the structure and size of an in-house team of group sales reps
• Work with Intersport HR to post jobs, screen candidates, conduct interviews and hire rep
• Organize, manage and motivate this team to help deliver on established ticket quantity and revenue goals

Develop and Oversee Sales Partnerships with Host Venue Group Sales Teams

• For certain events, our host venue is home to an NBA or NHL team, which comes with a well-established group sales department with already-developed group relationships in their market
• This role should determine if utilizing their sales team is an option and evaluate if they'll be motivated enough to be successful. If yes, manage the partnership by establishing commission structures, learning their attack plan and staying on top of them to ensure commitment & success.

Identify, Setup and Manage a Group Sales CRM System

• Intersport does not currently utilize an effective CRM platform to organize leads, document communications and track results
• Candidate should have experience working in a CRM system and be able to research and recommend a platform, evaluate the ROI of the cost, implement and help train the team

Manage Outreach and Close Sales for Key Targets for Group Tickets & Premium Offerings

• In addition to managing the internal sales reps, the candidate should also plan to handle key accounts and make outbound connections to close sales
  • Inventory mostly includes standard, affordable game tickets, but may include some suites, hospitality or premium options

Handle Operational Aspects and Reporting of Group Ticket Selling

• Work with Ticket Ops Manager and venue box offices to set up backend sales process
• Setup group discounted pricing, understand applicable ticket fees & taxes, manage seating holds and ensure proper ticket fulfillment
• Manage internal reporting, budgeting, commission calculations, and forecasting

Salary and Benefits
The targeted salary range for this position is $55,000 to $95,000, depending on full-time, non-internship professional relevant experience. Manager requires 4 to 6 years' experience; Senior Manger requires 6 to 8 years' experience.
This position includes medical, dental, vision, parental leave benefits and 401(k) with company match for qualified employees. This position does not include bonuses, commissions, or other incentives.
Qualifications

• A minimum of five (5) years of managing or actively selling group sports tickets
• Experience working in a CRM environment to track leads, outreach and sales results
• Experience working directly with a sports venue box office
• Comfortable hiring, managing and motivating a team of entry-level ticket sales reps
• Knowledge of and strong interest in college basketball
• Ability to travel to live events and promotional appearances multiple times per year
• Exemplary verbal and written communication skills across a variety of audiences
• Self-motivated and high-energy
• Detail and process orientated
• Ability to produce high quality work at a fast pace
• Flexibility to work both independently and as part of a team
• A true love of sports and live events

Intersport is an Equal Opportunity Employer.