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Sports Operations Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Site Manager

Clive, IA ยท On-site

$15 - $21/hr

It's the way youth sports should be. What does your company do? Job Summary The Site Manager is responsible for providing a superior i9 Sports Experience and overseeing the game-day operations of a ...

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Sports Operations information

See Iowa salary details

$10

$24

$50

How much do sports operations jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for sports operations in Iowa is $24.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.73 and $28.46 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in sports operations?

To thrive in Sports Operations, you need strong organizational abilities, event management experience, and a background in sports administration or a related field. Familiarity with scheduling software, budgeting tools, and industry-specific management systems is typically required. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills help professionals manage logistics and coordinate with various stakeholders. These competencies ensure the smooth execution of sporting events and efficient team operations, which are critical for both athlete performance and fan satisfaction.

What is the difference between Sports Operations vs Sports Marketing?

AspectSports OperationsSports Marketing
Primary FocusManaging logistics, event coordination, facility managementPromoting teams, events, and brands to increase visibility and sales
Required SkillsOrganizational skills, logistics, event planningMarketing strategies, communication, branding
Work EnvironmentSports venues, event sites, facilitiesAdvertising agencies, media, digital platforms
Common CertificationsEvent management, sports management certificationsMarketing, advertising, digital marketing certifications

Sports Operations and Sports Marketing are distinct roles within the sports industry. Sports Operations focuses on logistics, event management, and facility coordination, ensuring smooth event execution. In contrast, Sports Marketing emphasizes promoting teams and events to attract fans and sponsors. Both roles require specialized skills and certifications but serve different functions in the sports industry.

What are some typical challenges faced in a sports operations role, and how can they be managed effectively?

Sports Operations professionals often encounter challenges such as coordinating logistics for events, managing tight schedules, and handling last-minute changes or emergencies. Effective communication, strong organizational skills, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are essential for success. Collaborating closely with coaches, athletes, vendors, and facility staff helps ensure that all event aspects run smoothly, while proactive planning and flexibility allow for quick problem-solving when unexpected issues arise.

What is sports operations?

Sports operations refers to the management and coordination of all logistical and organizational aspects involved in running sporting events, teams, or organizations. This includes tasks such as scheduling games or practices, managing facilities, overseeing equipment, handling travel arrangements, and ensuring compliance with league or regulatory requirements. Professionals in sports operations work behind the scenes to ensure that events and day-to-day activities run smoothly and efficiently. Their role is crucial in creating a seamless experience for athletes, coaches, and spectators alike.

What are the most commonly searched types of Sports Operations jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Sports Operations jobs in Iowa are:

What are popular job titles related to Sports Operations jobs in Iowa?

For Sports Operations jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Sports Operations jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Sports Operations job openings:

Infographic showing various Sports Operations job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 45% Full Time, 44% Part Time, and 11% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $51,273 per year, or $24.7 per hour.

Architect: Sports Market Leader

RDG Planning and Design

Des Moines, IA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

Description:

Here, our designers push the boundaries of possibility for our clients in the communities and institutions we serve. As we continue to grow with significant sports projects nationwide, we're seeking an experienced architect who will serve as a doer-seller in this pivotal role, creating innovative spaces and helping RDG pursue and create meaningful sports facilities nationwide.


As a seasoned architect, you'll lead marketing efforts and facilitate strong prospective client relationships, continuing to build our national market. You won’t be alone! You’ll work alongside a successful team of other leader-sellers focused on a variety of athletic, recreation, wellness and outdoor venue project types.


Beyond your client service and marketing responsibilities, you'll help inspire and mentor others within our Sports team. This dual focus on client relationships and market development offers a unique opportunity to influence both our projects and our practice at a foundational level. Our ideal candidate will be entrepreneurial, collaborative, action-focused, continually looking for prospective projects and leveraging our team atmosphere to grow the Sports market.


This person will find opportunities in the marketplace and be proactive in pursuing pathways that enhance both individual and collective achievements. They will be motivated to make a significant impact nationally. While working alongside other market leaders, they will go the extra mile to ensure the continued success of our sports clients.


Essential Functions

  • Develop client relationships nationally, focused on those in need of professional services within the sports space.
  • Initiate strategies and talking points to secure work via thought leadership, seminar presentations, responses to RFQ/RFP solicitations, and project proposals.
  • Collaborate and brainstorm across RDG.
  • Collaborate across disciplines, both in and outside RDG. We are not looking for a lone ranger.
  • Create compelling presentations that communicate our design knowledge, inspire prospective clients, and communicate strong design solutions.
  • Serve as a project manager, leading portions of the planning and design of dynamic, award-winning sports facilities.
  • The best candidates will have experience in all parts of the architectural process.
Requirements:

Skills & Strengths

  • Exceptional oral presentation and written communication skills, ability to lead others and build confidence in client prospects.
  • Compelling leadership to guide, build, and direct others, including staff, client prospects, and clients.
  • Excellent critical thinking and collaboration ability, combined with strong relationship skills and execution strengths.
  • Demonstrated history of building long-term relationships with team members and clients. The best candidate will have experience building ground-up relationships with client prospects.
  • Proven ability to develop and execute successful strategies for initiating and completing marketing tasks and billable project work, on time and on budget.
  • Proven flexibility to perform at high capacity when faced with a changing landscape across multiple communication platforms while leveraging technology with research and depth of experience to continually build confidence in others.
  • Travel is required to meet our clients' and project needs. The best candidate will be able to fulfill the requirements of this role while traveling.

Education and Experience:

  • 10 or more years of professional work experience with five plus years of focus on athletics, recreation and/or related sports facilities.
  • Licensed architect, preferably with specialty credentials.
  • Knowledge of trends in sports, athletics and recreational facility planning, design and operations.
  • Demonstrated leadership and marketing experience.
  • Past project management experience initiating planning, feasibility, fit-studies, conceptual design and design development. The best candidate will have strong experience in all phases of an architectural design, production and construction processes.
  • Broad technical understanding of how a building is created, building systems, and project delivery.
  • Experience as a collaborative teammate in interdisciplinary planning, design, and construction environments.

Location: Des Moines and St. Louis, with consideration of our other office locations.