ATHLETIC GROUNDS SME - REMOTE

Compass Group USA; North Carolina; Remote; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

SSC Services for Education, a member of Compass Group USA, seeks an Athletic Grounds Subject Matter Expert to lead the nationwide athletic grounds program across collegiate and K-12 facilities. The role partners with field managers, supports athletic directors, and drives innovation in turf surfaces with expert guidance.

The position offers remote work and requires extensive travel to client sites to ensure safety and high performance.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of athletic field management experience across collegiate, professional, large K-12, municipal, or similar environments.
• CSFM certification required; CGM preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise with natural grass and synthetic athletic surfaces and field safety testing.

Responsibilities

• Act as SSC’s national expert on athletic grounds, including natural and synthetic surfaces, agronomy, safety, and field performance.
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of athletic field programs across all major sports and high-use turf environments.
• Provide hands-on technical support through site visits, remote guidance, renovation planning, and leadership coaching.
• Train and develop field managers and teams on best practices in safety, preparation, turf care, and maintenance techniques.
• Conduct site assessments and QA audits; translate findings into actionable improvement plans.
• Design site-specific agronomic programs covering maintenance, renovation, field prep, and recovery cycles.
• Build relationships with athletic directors, coaches, and stakeholders to align field performance with schedules and safety standards.

Skills

Field management

Client relationships

Leadership

Travel 80%

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Turfgrass Science or related field

Tools

CMMS platforms

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Title:ATHLETIC GROUNDS SME - REMOTE

Salary: $90,000 - $100,000

SSC Services for Educationis known for our expertise, commitment, and value; and we at SSC truly believe that our people are our greatest asset. By utilizing our associates’ knowledge and experience alongside SSC’s extensive training, providing supportive management, and offering unparalleled wage and benefit packages as well as career advancement opportunities, we have developed a workforce that differentiates us from our competitors.

SSC Services for Education isa Nationwide Best in Class Facility Service Provider. As a member of Compass Group, North America, we want you to be as great as you can be. We empower our associates to direct their own future, keeping them confident that we support them every step of the way. As a result, our associates embody greatness through their actions, natural passion for quality, and a can-do attitude. The opportunity for greatness is real at SSC and throughout the Compass world.

This position is eligible for an Employee Referral Bonus! If you know someone that is qualified for this role, please use the ‘job search’ in PeopleHub to refer your referral and email them a link to apply. Your referral will be able to apply by clicking the link in the email. You can check the status through your profile, accessible via Careers in PeopleHub, by clicking on ‘referral tracking.’ For Employee Referral guidelines, FAQs and the Compass Employee Referral Policy, [e-mail].

Job Summary

The Athletics Grounds Subject Matter Expert leads SSC’s nationwide athletic grounds program, setting the standard for excellence across collegiate and K-12 sports facilities. This role partners with sports field managers across the portfolio, builds strong relationships with athletic directors and clients, and supports business growth and retention. As a visible industry leader, the SME represents SSC at the highest levels while driving innovation in natural grass and synthetic surfaces through expertise and influence.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Act as SSC’s national expert on athletic grounds, including natural and synthetic surfaces, agronomy, safety, and field performance.
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of athletic field programs across all major sports and high-use turf environments.
• Provide hands-on technical support through site visits, remote guidance, renovation planning, and leadership coaching.
• Train and develop field managers and teams on best practices in safety, preparation, turf care, and maintenance techniques.
• Conduct site assessments and QA audits; translate findings into clear, actionable improvement plans.
• Design site-specific agronomic programs covering maintenance, renovation, field prep, and recovery cycles.
• Build strong relationships with athletic directors, coaches, and stakeholders to align field performance with schedules and safety standards.
• Support new site startups with planning, training, budgeting, compliance, and maintenance program setup.
• Partner with the sales teams to support proposals, finalist presentations, client retention, RFP responses, and business development efforts.
• Perform GMAX testing and field safety evaluations nationwide.
• Represent SSC as an industry leader through conferences, publications, and professional associations.
• Develop tools, templates, and resources to standardize and elevate field management practices.
• Review project plans and specifications; support project execution and serve as an owner’s representative when needed.
• Step into leadership roles (Unit Director/Operations Manager) as needed and support additional operations priorities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 15+ years of athletic field management experience across collegiate, professional, large K-12, municipal, or similar environments; NCAA Division I experience strongly preferred.
  Bachelor’s degree in Turfgrass Science, Agronomy, Horticulture, Sports Turf Management, or related field.
• Certified Sports Field Manager (CSFM) required; Certified Grounds Manager (CGM) preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise with both natural grass and synthetic athletic surfaces across football, soccer, baseball, softball, lacrosse, field hockey, rugby, and multi‑use fields.
• Deep technical knowledge of athletic field agronomy, turfgrass physiology, soil science, fertility, irrigation, compaction relief, pest and disease management, overseeding, renovation, topdressing, infield skin management, synthetic turf maintenance, and field safety testing.
• Project management experience including planning, coordination, budgeting, and execution.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present to executives, athletic directors, coaches, and operations teams.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and CMMS platforms; familiar with field assessment, reporting, and project tracking tools.
• Valid driver's license, ensuring safe operation of company vehicles in accordance with traffic laws and conditions.
• Remote position requiring 80% travel to client sites

SSC is a member of Compass Group USA.

Associates at SSC are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely,click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_SSC.pdf

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

SSC maintains a drug-free workplace.