Director of Marketing and Sponsorships - Starkville Parks & Recreation

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & SPONSORSHIPS - Starkville Parks & Recreation

Sports Facilities Management, LLC

LOCATION: Starkville MS

DEPARTMENT: MARKETING

REPORTS TO: GENERAL MANAGER

STATUS: FULL-TIME (EXEMPT)

ABOUT THE COMPANY:

Starkville Parks & Recreation and Cornerstone Sports Complex is a premier sport, recreation and entertainment destination focused on improving the health and economic vitality of Starkville, MS. 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.

Starkville Parks & Recreation and Cornerstone Sports Complex is a member of The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) and 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 was 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 Director of Marketing, Sponsorships, & Business Development will promote the destination as a premier sports tourism, conference, trade show, and special events location. The execution of responsibilities will be accomplished by working closely with facility staff, regional and national event/tournament providers, and promoting the primary revenue streams through effective marketing and advertising efforts. The position will include training on selling sponsorships and booking large tournaments and sports tourism events. The Director of Marketing, Sponsorships, & Business Development will oversee the implementation of a marketing campaign plan including digital, print, trade shows/conferences, familiarity visits, regional event relationship building, and more. They will be evaluated based on KPIs set by the SFM corporate Marketing team, number of events booked, sponsorship sales or assistance, number of visitors or event attendees generated, new business development, new program expansion, and sales pace.

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

• Planning and managing the marketing and business development budget(s) including prioritizing the highest and best return-on-investment channels
• Crafting a marketing plan in partnership with the SFM Marketing team
• Executing the marketing plan and strategic initiatives
• Managing and updating company website(s)
• Content development for digital or print
• Press release writing and media relations activities
• Managing social media business accounts including regular posting and management of content calendar
• Participating and assisting the planning and implementation of events, tournaments, and rentals
• Assisting in maintaining an event calendar of rental/tournaments booked, as well as, listing all facility activities planned
• Managing facility presence with industry publications, trade shows, and associations
• Preparing and presenting regular reporting on marketing strategy and results

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE HAS:

• Proven success in generating awareness through consumer marketing and branding
• Experience in youth and amateur sports as a consumer, marketing professional, or other relevant experience
• Experience in using a CRM to manage and nurture potential or current customers
• Experience in sponsorship sales and activation
• Proven experience in the successful launch of destination-specific advertising/marketing campaigns
• Experience working with convention & visitors bureaus, regional sports commissions, and/or regional event management booking in regional sports and/or convention center
• Experience and success in promoting, booking, and delivering special events
• Action-oriented personality with a 'get it done' attitude and proficiency for efficiency

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Management of a marketing and/or business development budget
• Experience in measuring and reporting marketing/advertising campaign analytics to ultimately measure ROI, efficiency, and effectiveness of campaign activity
• Prior experience in marketing research to gain consumer insights (locally, regionally, and nationally) to identify key selling points for attracting corporate/organization relationships including sponsorship and financial partnerships, or business development activities
• Management of corporate website(s) in the WordPress platform
• Ability to develop content and write with company voice in mind
• Experience in writing press releases and managing media relationships
• Experience in managing business accounts on a variety of social media platforms including, but not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
• Bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, or advertising; or minimum of 3-5 years of experience in a similar position
• Technologically savvy with skills in using multiple platforms or software for a variety of tasks such as cloud file management or project management
• Advanced knowledge in using Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Entry level or beginner knowledge in Adobe Creative Suite, specifically in InDesign and Illustrator
• Skilled at identifying and creating opportunities or promotions to deliver revenue goals
• Must have excellent interpersonal, problem solving and negotiating skills
• Must be a team player and deadline-driven
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must be able to work a flexible work schedule (e.g., nights, weekends, holidays, and long hours)

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to lift 30 pounds waist high
• May be required to sit or stand for extended periods of time whether indoors or outdoors, and squat, stoop, or bend
• Will be required to operate a computer
• Facility has intermittent noise