Sports Business Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR - Emerald Acres Sports Connection

MSC SFM, LLC

LOCATION: Mattoon, IL

DEPARTMENT: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

REPORTS TO: GENERAL MANAGER

STATUS: FULL-TIME (EXEMPT)

ABOUT THE COMPANY:

Emerald Acres Sports Connection is a premier sport, recreation and entertainment destination focused on improving the health and economic vitality of Mattoon, IL. You will be joining a championship level team focused on fun, fulfillment and service built to enrich the community as well as your career and personal growth.

Emerald Acres Sports Connection is a managed facility by Sports Facilities Management, LLC, a Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) company. SFC is the nation's leading resource for managing and developing sports, recreation, wellness, and events facilities. We provide a highly collaborative and supportive culture that raises our team members to new levels of career growth. Together, we will carve a path in a hyper-growing industry where you will enjoy the journey and learn from the industry's best while having some fun.

SFC has been awarded national recognition as a Top Workplace and is considered a workplace of choice. Our mission-focused company is highly entrepreneurial, team-oriented with a culture centered on collaboration, accountability, excellence, and service. We are growing rapidly and looking for high performers at every level to grow with us.

POSITION SUMMARY:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Proactively identify, pursue, and secure new events, tournaments, conferences, tradeshows, and revenue-generating opportunities
• Serve as a primary role in driving event bookings and revenue production, contributing directly to achieving facility utilization and financial targets
• Build, manage, and maintain a strong sales pipeline through consistent outreach, networking, and relationship development
• Establish and maintain relationships with event rights-holders, tournament directors, CVBs, hotels, and key community partners
• Lead sponsorship sales efforts to support revenue targets
• Develop and implement strategies to increase event bookings, facility utilization, and market share
• Oversee and coordinate event agreements, ensuring accurate pricing, terms, and deliverables
• Maintain oversight of the master event calendar to support strategic booking decisions and maximize high-quality, revenue-generating events
• Analyze market trends, customer data, and event performance to identify new business opportunities
• Maintain urgency and accountability in converting leads into contracted, revenue-producing events
• Forecast sales volume and revenue expectations; track and report on sales performance and KPIs
• Collaborate with the marketing team to support lead generation and promotional efforts (no direct oversight of marketing)
• Maintain CRM activity including pipeline tracking, outreach documentation, and reporting
• Serve as Manager-on-Duty (MOD) for select events as scheduled
• Participate in strategic planning and organizational meetings
• Perform other duties as assigned by management
  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A bachelor's degree in recreation, sports management, or related field
• 5+ years appropriate experience required
• Proven experience in youth sports, trade shows, consumer shows and convention sales
• Proven experience in contract negotiations, event creation and planning
• Experience with and expert understanding of hotel rebates and strategic partnerships between hotels, CVB, and venue
• Must have excellent interpersonal, problem solving, and negotiating skills
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must have excellent computer skills, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
• Must be able to work flexible schedules including weekends, nights, and holidays
• Prior responsibility in P&L management and budget oversight
  

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to lift 40 pounds waist high
• Will be required to sit for extended periods of time operating a computer
• Will be required to conduct venue tours to prospective clients
• Office environment has intermittent noise, normal in nature