Business Development & Growth Associate

Company: SideCoach Sports

Job: Business Development & Growth Associate
Location: Waco, TX (In-Person)
Reports to: CEO
Stage: Early-Stage, Private-Investor Backed
Start Date: August 1, 2026

Schedule: Full-time, exempt position. Work hours may vary based on business needs, priorities, and project deadlines. This role requires a high level of ownership, accountability, and flexibility in a fast-paced startup environment.

Company Overview

SideCoach Sports is a youth sports technology company that connects college athletes with youth athletes for private lessons while building purpose-built software for university athletic programs to manage camps and related operations.

Founded by former Division I athletes, SideCoach Sports exists to expand access to elite coaching, empower college athletes to monetize their expertise, and provide universities with technology that saves time and improves operational efficiency. The company is backed by a private investor and is in a fast-moving phase of growth.

Role Overview

SideCoach Sports is hiring a Business Development & Growth Associates to work directly with the CEO and own key components of the company’s go-to-market strategy, partnerships, and growth execution.

This role is designed for a high-performing, self-directed professional who exercises independent judgment, manages complex initiatives, and contributes directly to business strategy. The position plays a critical role in shaping how SideCoach Sports acquires partners, grows its athlete ecosystem, and scales its operations.

Key Responsibilities

Go-To-Market & University Partnerships

• Develop, refine, and execute go-to-market strategies for university partnerships and athlete growth
• Identify priority market segments, partnership targets, and growth opportunities
• Make independent decisions regarding outreach strategy, sequencing, and positioning 
• Own assigned go-to-market initiatives from planning through execution and evaluation

Athlete Growth & Ecosystem Development

• Lead partnership development efforts with university athletic programs
• Negotiate partnership structures, onboarding plans, and rollout timelines
• Serve as a primary relationship owner for designated university partners
• Evaluate partner feedback and determine appropriate strategic or operational responses

Athlete Ecosystem Development

• Design and oversee athlete acquisition and onboarding strategies
• Establish standards, processes, and best practices for athlete engagement
• Make judgment calls regarding prioritization, resource allocation, and platform readiness

Cross-Functional Leadership & Business Operations

• Act as a strategic generalist across sales, marketing, operations, and partnerships
• Identify gaps, inefficiencies, and opportunities across business functions
• Recommend and implement process improvements
• Support leadership planning and long-term growth initiatives

Decision-Making Authority

In this role, the Business Development & Growth Associate is expected to:

• Exercise independent judgment on matters of significance to the business
• Make recommendations and decisions that materially impact growth, partnerships, and operations
• Prioritize initiatives and allocate effort without day-to-day supervision
• Represent SideCoach Sports externally with partners and stakeholders

Schedule & Work Expectations

This is a full-time, exempt position. Work schedules are determined by business needs and individual responsibility for outcomes rather than fixed hourly requirements. The role may require flexibility in work hours, including extended hours during critical business periods, to meet company objectives.

Employment Classification

This position is classified as exempt under applicable federal and Texas wage and hour laws and is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Qualifications & Requirements

Required

• Bachelor’s degree
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects or initiatives independently
• Strong judgment, problem-solving skills, and decision-making ability
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Comfort working directly with external partners and senior stakeholders
• Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint or equivalent tools

Preferred (Not Required)

• Experience in go-to-market, partnerships, operations, or growth roles
• Familiarity with startups, athletics, or technology-enabled platforms
• Experience working in ambiguous, fast-paced environments
• Willingness to learn basic coding or analytics tools (e.g., R)
• Experience building slide decks, reports, or models for leadership

What We’re Looking For

Someone who:

• Wants to build something meaningful from an early stage
• Is comfortable wearing many hats
• Learns fast and takes feedback seriously
• Cares deeply about customers and execution
• Wants real responsibility

Growth & Career Path

As SideCoach Sports scales, this role is expected to expand in scope and responsibility, with opportunities to take on broader leadership ownership across go-to-market strategy, team development, and operational execution.

Why Join SideCoach Sports

• Work directly with the CEO and founding team on high-impact initiatives
• Contribute meaningfully across go-to-market, partnerships, and operations
• Be part of a privately backed, early-stage technology company
• Develop skills and judgment that compound over the course of your career
• Help shape the future of youth sports and athlete opportunities

What We Offer

• Direct mentorship and exposure to executive-level decision-making
• Meaningful responsibility and ownership across core business functions
• Accelerated professional growth in a high-performance startup environment
• The opportunity to influence go-to-market strategy and company operations
• A mission-driven culture focused on real impact in youth sports

Benefits

• Health Insurance (Stipend) 
• Stock Options (Equity)
• Competitive Salary

How to Apply

Interested candidates should email a brief introduction and resume to: Luke@sidecoachsports.com

Please Include:

• Resume (PDF)
• A short note explaining why you’re interested in SideCoach Sports and this role

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.