Strategic Events & Partnerships Director

The Sports Facilities Advisory & Management; Mattoon (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Emerald Acres Sports Connection in Mattoon, IL seeks a dynamic Business Development Director to drive revenue by securing events, tournaments, conferences, and tradeshows. You will build strategic partnerships, manage sponsorships, and expand market presence, reporting to the General Manager.

You will lead a proactive sales strategy, cultivate relationships with rights-holders and hotels, and collaborate with marketing to maximize lead generation and event success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in recreation, sports management, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in youth sports, trade shows, consumer shows or convention sales.
• Proven experience in contract negotiations and event planning.
• Experience with hotel rebates and partnerships between hotels, CVB, and venue.
• Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, and negotiation skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to work weekends, nights, and holidays.
• Prior responsibility in P&L management and budget oversight.

Responsibilities

• Proactively identify, pursue, and secure new events, tournaments, conferences, tradeshows, and revenue opportunities.
• Drive event bookings and revenue production to meet facility utilization and financial targets.
• Build and maintain a strong sales pipeline through outreach and relationship development.
• Represent the facility with event rights-holders, CVBs, hotels, and community partners.
• Lead sponsorship sales efforts to support revenue targets.
• Forecast sales volume and track KPI performance.
• Coordinate event agreements with pricing, terms, and deliverables.
• Collaborate with marketing to support lead generation and promotion.
• Maintain CRM activity and pipeline reporting.

Skills

5+ years experience

Interpersonal skills

Negotiation skills

Verbal and written communication

P&L management

Education

Bachelor's degree in recreation or sports management

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Emerald Acres Sports Connection in Mattoon, IL seeks a dynamic Business Development Director to drive revenue by securing events, tournaments, conferences, and tradeshows. You will build strategic partnerships, manage sponsorships, and expand market presence, reporting to the General Manager.

You will lead a proactive sales strategy, cultivate relationships with rights-holders and hotels, and collaborate with marketing to maximize lead generation and event success.