Business Development Director- Emerald Acres Sports Connection

Business Development Director - Emerald Acres Sports ConnectionEmerald Acres Sports Connection is a premier sport, recreation and entertainment destination focused on improving the health and economic vitality of Mattoon, IL. 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. Emerald Acres Sports Connection is a managed facility by Sports Facilities Management, LLC, a Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) company. SFC 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 has been 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 SummaryThe Business Development Director will be responsible for driving revenue growth through the proactive generation, recruitment, and booking of sporting events, tournaments, conferences, tradeshows, and other high-impact events. This role serves as a primary revenue generator for the facility, with a strong emphasis on new business development, relationship sales, and strategic partnerships. Working closely with the General Manager, this position plays a critical role in achieving financial performance goals through event acquisition, sponsorship sales, and market expansion. The Business Development Director will collaborate with and support marketing efforts to enhance lead generation, brand visibility, and event success.Essential Duties And ResponsibilitiesProactively identify, pursue, and secure new events, tournaments, conferences, tradeshows, and revenue-generating opportunitiesServe as a primary role in driving event bookings and revenue production, contributing directly to achieving facility utilization and financial targetsBuild, manage, and maintain a strong sales pipeline through consistent outreach, networking, and relationship developmentEstablish and maintain relationships with event rights-holders, tournament directors, CVBs, hotels, and key community partnersLead sponsorship sales efforts to support revenue targetsDevelop and implement strategies to increase event bookings, facility utilization, and market shareOversee and coordinate event agreements, ensuring accurate pricing, terms, and deliverablesMaintain oversight of the master event calendar to support strategic booking decisions and maximize high-quality, revenue-generating eventsAnalyze market trends, customer data, and event performance to identify new business opportunitiesMaintain urgency and accountability in converting leads into contracted, revenue-producing eventsForecast sales volume and revenue expectations; track and report on sales performance and KPIsCollaborate with the marketing team to support lead generation and promotional efforts (no direct oversight of marketing)Maintain CRM activity including pipeline tracking, outreach documentation, and reportingServe as Manager-on-Duty (MOD) for select events as scheduledParticipate in strategic planning and organizational meetingsPerform other duties as assigned by managementMinimum QualificationsA bachelor's degree in recreation, sports management, or related field5+ years appropriate experience requiredProven experience in youth sports, trade shows, consumer shows and convention salesProven experience in contract negotiations, event creation and planningExperience with and expert understanding of hotel rebates and strategic partnerships between hotels, CVB, and venueMust have excellent interpersonal, problem solving, and negotiating skillsMust have excellent verbal and written communication skillsMust have excellent computer skills, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.Must be able to work flexible schedules including weekends, nights, and holidaysPrior responsibility in P&L management and budget oversightWorking Conditions And Physical DemandsMust be able to lift 40 pounds waist highWill be required to sit for extended periods of time operating a computerWill be required to conduct venue tours to prospective clientsOffice environment has intermittent noise, normal in nature