Overview

The Senior Sports Sales Manager is responsible for leading sports-related sales initiatives to drive group business, room revenue, and market share. This position focuses on cultivating strong relationships with athletic teams, associations, and event organizers while developing strategies to attract new business opportunities. The role requires proactive sales efforts, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and consistent achievement of performance goals to position the resort as a premier destination for sports events and training. Position Responsibilities Ø Call on prospective, tentative and definite Group Sports Bookings assigned to detail event business; analyze requirements of functions, outline available facilities and services offered. Ø Role will work to achieve budgeted goals for SIS and the resort to include green/cart fees, F&B, Golf Wholesale, Camps and Tournaments sales along with areas assigned by VP of SIS. Ø Recommend and coordinate the set-up of golf, tennis, pickle ball and new racquet sports reservations based on the number of participants and program. Ø Make personal visits to target areas to call on clubs and associations within the sports group market to solicit new clients and maintain existing relationships. Ø Work with golf wholesale and sports travel companies with Net Rate programs. Ø Coordinate catering /event requirements of meals, snacks and sports events as requested by individuals or groups by coordinating Banquet Event Orders with Catering Manager as well as up selling all experiences available. Ø Coordinate and contract all rooms and event details pertaining to assigned groups. Ø Verifies deposits on hand at time of file turnover and is responsible for collecting any additional deposits as outlined in Group Sports Sales Contracts. Ø Coordinates with Conference / Catering manager during functions to minimize confusion and resolve problems such as space adjustment, tee times and court times, guest services issues and/or need for additional equipment. Ø Attend Banquet Event Order meeting to provide details on booked sports groups with planned F&B programs. Ø Attend weekly Resume meeting, prepare necessary information regarding group pick-up/fall off, deposits on hand and distribution status of Banquet Event orders and Group Resumes. Ø Meet with potential facility users and site selection committees, conduct site tours of the facility and sell the resort as needed. Ø Use the resorts standard policies and procedures to guide, develop, implement, maintain and enforce operational procedures. Ø Adhere to Saddlebrook Resort sales and company procedures. Ø Visible passion and enthusiasm for sales and the sports business. Ø Ability to adapt to changing business demands. Ø Position requires flexibility in scheduling including AM/PM shifts, weekends, and holidays Ø Must have attention to detail, strong ability to multi-task, and time-management skills Ø Completing any other tasks or duties as assigned. Qualifications Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Ø Strong knowledge of sports tourism, group sales, and hospitality industry trends with the ability to target and grow sports-related accounts (teams, tournaments, associations). Ø Attends Sales meetings with resort Director of Sales & Conference Sales team to ensure communication with resort sales and operations. Ø Demonstrated ability to develop and execute comprehensive sales strategies to drive revenue and achieve/exceed goals. Ø Proven success in cultivating and maintaining relationships with clients, event organizers, governing bodies, and key stakeholders. Ø Excellent negotiation, presentation, and closing skills, with the ability to tailor solutions to client needs. Ø Strong financial acumen, including forecasting, budgeting, and analyzing sales performance metrics. Ø Ability to lead, mentor, and collaborate with cross-functional teams (operations, F&B, event management) to ensure flawless execution of sports events and group bookings. Ø Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence at all levels—internally and externally. Ø Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Ø Proficiency in CRM systems, sales software, and Microsoft Office Suite; ability to leverage data for sales strategy and decision-making. Ø Flexibility to travel, work evenings, weekends, and holidays as business needs dictate. Preferred Qualifications and Skills Ø Bachelor’s degree in business, Hospitality Management, Sports Management, Marketing, or a related field required or a combination of all will be considered. Master’s degree preferred but not required. Ø Minimum of 3 – 5 years of progressive sales experience in hospitality, sports tourism, or related industry, with a proven track record of achieving or exceeding revenue goals. Physical Demands and Work Environment Ø Ability to work flexible hours to include nights, weekends and holidays is required Ø Must be able to sit, stand, and walk for long periods of time Ø Must be able to lift up to 50lbs. Must be able to complete repetitive motions throughout the day. Ø Must be able to move around campus, which includes gym, turf, fields, stairs, etc. Background Requirements: Requires a background check upon offer