Sales Director - Footlab OC

The Sports Facilities Advisory & Management; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Footlab OC, operated by Sports Facilities Management, LLC, seeks a Sales Director to drive venue revenue through events, sponsorships, and rentals. You will manage client relationships, lead the sales team, and coordinate with operations to deliver high-quality experiences for groups and tournaments.

The role requires developing outbound campaigns, executing signature non-sport events, and building partnerships with local businesses and regional bureaus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent experience in sales, business development, hospitality, sports, recreation, or a related field.
• Proven success booking and supporting the execution of corporate functions, banquets, tournaments, community events, or other facility rentals.
• Experience developing sales campaigns, marketing initiatives, sponsorship plans, or strategic partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day business development and sales activities, including sponsorship sales, sport and non-sport event sales, facility rentals, banquet sales, and marketing support.
• Supervise, train, coach, and support sales team members as assigned; communicate expectations and help maintain consistent sales processes and customer service standards
• Develop and implement outbound sales campaigns to increase event bookings, sponsorships, registrations, and overall facility revenue
• Develop, coordinate, and execute a minimum of eight signature non-sport events annually to increase traffic and revenue
• Build and maintain relationships with local businesses, convention and visitors bureaus, regional sports commissions, and other strategic partners
• Respond to event inquiries, conduct site tours, and prepare customized proposals, contracts, and other sales materials
• Coordinate with Operations and other departments on event logistics, facility needs, and event execution to ensure a high-quality client experience
• Track sales activity, bookings, revenue performance, and progress toward annual goals; provide regular updates to facility leadership
• All other duties as assigned by management

Skills

Sales experience

Leadership

Event sales

CRM proficiency

Negotiation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

CRM tools

Job description

SALES DIRECTOR - Footlab OC

Sports Facilities Management, LLC

LOCATION: Santa Ana, CA

DEPARTMENT: EVENTS

REPORTS TO: GENERAL MANAGER

STATUS: FULL-TIME (EXEMPT)

ABOUT THE COMPANY:

Footlab OC is a premier sport, recreation and entertainment destination focused on improving the health and economic vitality of Santa Ana, CA. 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.

Footlab OC 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:

The Sales Manager is responsible for driving venue revenue through tournament sales, event sales, sponsorships, referrals, rebooking strategies, banquet and facility rentals, equipment rentals, and pre-sold merchandise for groups. This position develops new business, manages client relationships, supports marketing and partnership efforts, and coordinates with Operations to deliver successful events while achieving annual revenue and booking goals.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:

• Manage day-to-day business development and sales activities, including sponsorship sales, sport and non-sport event sales, facility rentals, banquet sales, and marketing support
• Supervise, train, coach, and support sales team members as assigned; communicate expectations and help maintain consistent sales processes and customer service standards
• Develop and implement outbound sales campaigns to increase event bookings, sponsorships, registrations, and overall facility revenue
• Develop, coordinate, and execute a minimum of eight signature non-sport events annually to increase traffic and revenue
• Design and execute targeted sales campaigns for corporate, church, nonprofit, education, and other community segments
• Build and maintain relationships with local businesses, convention and visitors bureaus, regional sports commissions, and other strategic partners
• Manage sponsorship sales and adjust outreach strategies based on available inventory, client needs, and performance results
• Implement the approved annual marketing plan and monitor marketing KPIs in coordination with facility leadership and marketing partners
• Organize and attend networking events, trade shows, community events, and other activities to promote facility offerings and generate leads
• Develop and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective clients through cold calling, referrals, lead generation, CRM activity, and community outreach
• Respond to event inquiries, conduct site tours, and prepare customized proposals, contracts, and other sales materials
• Manage the client relationship before and during events, support retention and rebooking efforts, and identify opportunities for additional business
• Coordinate with Operations and other departments on event logistics, facility needs, and event execution to ensure a high-quality client experience
• Serve as the primary sales contact for assigned events and work with internal teams to address client needs and resolve issues
• Represent the facility as Manager on Duty as needed and assist with event setup, execution, and other operational functions when required
• Track sales activity, bookings, revenue performance, and progress toward annual goals; provide regular updates to facility leadership
• All other duties as assigned by management

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent experience in sales, business development, hospitality, sports, recreation, or a related field
• Three to five years of sales or business development experience, preferably in events, hospitality, sports, or recreation
• One to two years of supervisory, team-lead, or department-lead experience preferred
• Proven success booking and supporting the execution of corporate functions, banquets, tournaments, community events, or other facility rentals
• Experience developing sales campaigns, marketing initiatives, sponsorship plans, or strategic partnerships
• Familiarity with regional events, tourism organizations, convention and visitors bureaus, or regional sports commissions preferred
• Strong knowledge of sales techniques, CRM tools, proposal development, and client relationship management
• Strong time management, organization, communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
• Customer-focused approach with the ability to lead through collaboration and accountability

WORKING CONDITIONS AND DEMANDS:

• Ability to travel to national trade shows and regionally by car
• 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