Fan Development Manager

Gondola; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Gondola is seeking a Fan Development Manager to grow hockey participation and fan engagement in Columbus-area programs and partnerships. You will lead youth hockey initiatives, work with NHL liaisons and USA Hockey, and drive strategic growth across community efforts.

Responsibilities include managing programs, budgets, and internship experiences while collaborating with marketing and partnerships teams to maximize reach and impact in local markets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; experience with youth sports or community programs preferred.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills across partners and departments.
• Ability to analyze metrics and translate insights into action.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee Fan Development programs and events across ice and street hockey.
• Collaborate with NHL liaisons and USA Hockey to fund and execute growth initiatives.
• Set participation goals, track progress, and report year-over-year growth.
• Cultivate partnerships with local hockey organizations, schools, and sponsors to expand access and participation.
• Coordinate with Marketing/Digital teams to create compelling content for fan growth campaigns.
• Manage budget and oversee internship program within Fan Development.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Thinking

Communications

Teamwork

Problem Solving

Planning/Organizing

Initiative

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Job description

Summary

The Fan Development Manager will help grow and promote the sport of hockey in central Ohio at all levels while cultivating fan avidity for the Blue Jackets. This role's primary focus is developing and executing strategies that remove barriers to entry for both ice and street hockey. The manager will also create fan experiences that promote the Blue Jackets while increasing participation in the sport, work with NHL liaisons on the funding and execution of league initiatives, and build partnerships with both USA Hockey and local hockey organizations.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following

• Develop strategy and oversee all Fan Development youth hockey programs, including Power Play Challenge, Learn to Play, Get Out and Learn, and Skills and Drills—encompassing scheduling, marketing, registration, equipment distribution, staffing, on-ice instruction, and evaluation—with an emphasis on transitioning participants into beginner skating or hockey programs and the next step in their development.
• Collaborate with NHL liaisons on the funding and execution of Industry Growth Fund programs, such as Try Hockey for Free and school-wide hockey wellness curricula, to meet specified participation metrics.
• Set annual ice and street hockey participation goals, track progress against them, and report on year-over-year growth, in collaboration with partners such as the Chiller rinks, Blue Jackets Hockey League, and local youth hockey associations.
• Cultivate mutually beneficial partnerships with the Blue Jackets Hockey League, local and regional hockey associations, high schools, and USA Hockey, supporting the growth and advancement of the sport through tentpole events and initiatives such as the Columbus Blue Jackets Equipment Drive, High School Hockey Night, the Blue Jackets Cup, the OHSAA State Tournament, Hockey Is For Everyone Month, and USA Hockey Weekend Across America.
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Digital Media departments on content for all digital assets specific to growing the game, including website, social platforms, in-game, and broadcast.
• Work with the Corporate Partnership and Group Ticketing departments to maximize revenue-generating opportunities through sticks-in-hands programming.
• Support Columbus Blue Jackets Community Impact and Foundation initiatives, as needed.
• Plan and track the Fan Development budget.
• Oversee the Fan Development internship program.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervises employees in the Fan Development Department. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Competencies

Job Knowledge - Competent in required job skills and knowledge; exhibits ability to learn and apply new skills; keeps abreast of current developments; requires minimal supervision; displays understanding of how job relates to others; uses resources effectively.

Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; analyzes market and competition; identifies external threats and opportunities; adapts strategy to changing conditions.

Communications - Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally; expresses ideas and thoughts in written form; exhibits good listening and comprehension; keeps others adequately informed; selects and uses appropriate communication methods.

Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone’s efforts to success.

Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.

Initiative - Volunteers readily; undertakes self-development activities; seeks increased responsibilities; takes independent actions and calculated risks; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; asks for and offers help when needed.

Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives; organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; develops realistic action plans.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university; and 3-5 years of experience and/or training in organized sports and youth-serving organization; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge of hockey and/or prior experience playing hockey preferred, but not required.

Skating experience (hockey skates) is required.

USA Hockey Level 1 Coaching Certification preferred, but not required.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should be proficient in Microsoft Office Software.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee is required to get on ice skates to instruct kids using the USA Hockey ADM principles.

The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and Blue Jacket home games, as needed.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.