Manager Tournament Business & Sponsor Relations Full Time NEW

This position is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with assigned tournaments and other key partner stakeholders, including the title sponsor, host organization/operator, golf course and other constituents vital to the success of each tournament. This role also works closely with the Tour’s umbrella sponsor developing and implementing their annual strategy to execute a successful partnership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Sports Management, Marketing, or related area required. MBA preferred.
• Minimum of five to seven years hands-on experience with professional golf tournament operations, marketing, sales, and/or sports marketing required.
• Strong communication skills, including verbal, written and presentation
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across multiple teams and at varying levels throughout the organization and external stakeholders
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Must be able to fulfill an extensive travel schedule (approximately 30%)
• Able to safely operate a utility vehicle such as, but not limited to, golf carts, utility carts, and shuttle cart

Responsibilities/Duties

• This position works as a part of the Tournament Business & Sponsor Relations team which maintains the day-to-day relationship and supports other key initiatives across between assigned PGA TOUR Pathways properties (Korn Ferry Tour, PGA TOUR Q School presented by Korn Ferry, and PGA TOUR University).
• Serve as the direct contact at PGA TOUR for assigned tournaments.
• Interface with business leaders and key stakeholders associated with assigned tournaments to develop a mutually beneficial relationship with TOUR.
• Develop a strategic business plan with each tournament outlining the goals and objectives, purse strategies, television, title sponsor renewal plans, impact in market, financial stability, and long-term schedule. Secure tournament budgetary financial information to properly analyze financial performance.
• Anticipate the needs of the TOUR and tournaments and find effective solutions to prevent potential problems.
• Collaborate with and counsel tournaments on the hiring process for additional tournament staff. Assist with job posting and interviews when tournament leadership requests.
• Oversee Tournament Agreement contract process and communication thereof with host sites, title sponsors and television partner.
• Ensure proper tournament preparation and execution in the following areas: Tournament Affairs, Player Relations, Tournament Operations, Sponsors, Media, and Broadcasting.
• Work with Tournament Business and Sponsor Relations team on any matters of broad interest such as: planning the schedule, participation in Tournament Advisory Council business, and exceeding budgetary expectations.
• Assist with development of Tour-wide and individual tournament initiatives in the following areas: Fan experience, Tournament staging, Advertising, Branding, Public relations plans, Umbrella sponsor requirements, Television issues, Tour policies and guidelines, and Financial disclosure.
• Establish relationships with Title, Presenting and Proud Partners to ensure open communications and improve their probability of continuing and increasing their commitment to the event, community and TOUR, including sponsor marketing staff to integrate overall marketing plans into the event.
• Drive local revenue and net proceed growth for each tournament by engaging in the asset development and sales strategy process, overseeing the tracking of sales efforts with the Tournament Revenue team. Encourage established tournaments to join the sales support program.
• Counsel tournaments on local marketing and promotion to help them generate “bigness” and improve their bottom line. Regularly communicate with and include TOUR resources from community impact, storytelling, and player relations to expand and amplify content at tournaments.
• Oversee appropriate player/sponsor introduction and interaction on site.
• Expand the use of innovation on the PGA TOUR Pathways by working with PGA TOUR Digital team, updating leadership and selecting tournaments to serve as testing grounds.
• Assist with development of tournament best practices and presentation standards for assigned PGA TOUR Pathways properties events and new tournaments.
• Assist with establishing tournament level marketing best practices for the PGA TOUR Pathways properties and design successful methods of coaching for existing and new tournaments.
• Assist with overseeing and development of direct report(s) with encouragement to pursue new tasks and challenges related to overall departmental goals and objectives.
• Special projects or other duties as assigned