Sports Sales Manager

Sports Sales Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:                                                                      Sports Sales Manager

DEPARTMENT:                                                             Fort Worth Sports Commission

POSITION REPORTS TO:                                           Director of Business Development

EXEMPT OR NON-EXEMPT:                                     Exempt 

ORGANIZATION VISION                                           Fort Worth – Texas is Better Here

ORGANIZATION MISSION                                        A Better Fort Worth through Tourism

Organization  Overview: 

The Fort Worth Sports Commission (FWSC) is dedicated to strengthening Fort Worth's image, economy, and quality of life through sports. We are committed to using the power of sports to benefit our local partners and residents. The FWSC actively seeks high-profile events that bring national recognition and attract significant numbers of athletes, coaches, and fans to our city.

 

As a division of Visit Fort Worth, which boasts over 40 full-time team members passionate about community and driving economic impact through tourism, the FWSC benefits from the resources and expertise of one of the nation's leading Convention and Visitors Bureaus. Visit Fort Worth works closely with city and community leaders to enhance Fort Worth as a place to live.

Visit Fort Worth is dedicated to showcasing Fort Worth as a captivating destination for travelers worldwide. By highlighting our city's unique attractions, warm hospitality, and picturesque landscapes, we attract and invite visitors from around the globe to experience the vibrant charm that Fort Worth has to offer. 

We believe in teamwork built around three core values: Respect, Collaboration, and Integrity. 

 

Position Overview:

The Fort Worth Sports Commission is seeking a dynamic Sales Manager to join their successful team and drive the acquisition of high-profile events. The ideal candidate will possess a background in sports tourism, sports events, or a related field, coupled with exceptional interpersonal skills to build and maintain strong relationships with clients, partners, and community leaders. This role operates in a fast-paced environment that demands the ability to thrive under pressure while upholding the highest standards of integrity in representing Fort Worth.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:           

• Lead Generation & Management:
  • Qualify sports opportunities to identify high-potential leads for hospitality partners.
  • Clearly and concisely disseminate event needs and group requirements to the hospitality community.
  • Manage group inquiries for assigned segments and projects (e.g., Equestrian, youth sports, third-party business), preparing comprehensive bid documents and proposals.
• Business Development & Prospecting:
  • Proactively prospect for new business through email, phone, networking (organizations, trade shows), and participation in concentrated sales efforts.
  • Participate in sales trips to target national, regional, state, and local markets.
• Relationship Management:
  • Develop and maintain strong working relationships with hotel and venue colleagues.
  • Cultivate and grow close relationships with customers through prompt follow-up, social and entertaining, and a deep understanding of their event needs.
• Site Visits & Presentations:
  • Arrange and conduct customer site inspections showcasing Fort Worth's sports destination assets (hotels, city, unique venues). Evening and weekend entertaining may be required.
• Team Collaboration & Goal Achievement:
  • Collaborate with the Director and sports team to achieve annual room night and estimated economic impact goals.
  • Assist and participate in the development of familiarization tours, sales missions, client events, and local industry organizations.
  • Support the Director of Business Development with major bids and high-profile clients/events as needed.
• General Responsibilities:
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Director of Business Development and Executive Director.
• Work toward the goals of Visit Fort Worth and the Fort Worth Sports Commission, embodying the core values of respect, trust, hospitality, accountability, collaboration, and innovation.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

Education -College Degree or Equivalent Work Experience

Experience: 2-4+ years of sales/services experience in the hospitality industry, preferably with a CVB or sports 

commission. Have a good knowledge of Fort Worth as a destination and all that it has to offer clients.

Skills -Be knowledgeable of computer systems and software applications. Use technology effectively by inputting all 

account information in the sales automation system (Simpleview CRM). Become proficient with CVENT and best practices 

for managing lead volume. Ability to demonstrate excellent customer service, communication skills and prospecting 

abilities. Self-motivation, attention to detail and follow-up are critical. Goal-driven and solutions-based thinking towards 

problem solving. 

WORKING CONDITIONS: Must have knowledge of sports commission & Visit Fort Worth mission and objectives.  Excellent interpersonal and communication skills needed. Work toward goals of Visit Fort Worth while living out the core values of the organization: respect, trust, hospitality, accountability, collaboration, and innovation.

The work conditions include a hybrid working environment; occasional irregular work hours; subject to interruptions, varying, routine and unpredictable situations while working on multiple projects and priorities. Manage time to take advantage of prime selling time. Use additional time to be a positive force in the office by working on special projects.  

Frequent communication with internal and external parties via email, phone, face to face, etc. 

RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORK OF OTHERS:

This position does not manage direct reports but requires coordinating tasks among team members. The ideal candidate will demonstrate leadership through effective communication, efficient workflow management, and fostering collaboration.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

               Sitting - Constant

               Standing - Occasional

               Walking - Occasional

               Lifting - Rare (heavy, 50 lbs.) 

               Carrying - Rare (heavy, 50 lbs.) 

               Pushing - Rare (heavy, 50 lbs.) 

               Pulling - Rare (heavy, 50 lbs.) 

               Reaching - Frequent

               Handling - Frequent

               Kneeling - Rare

               Stooping - Rare

               Crouching - Rare

               Bending – Occasional

Visit Fort Worth is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.