Tournament & Special Events Director

Oversees planning, coordination, and execution of tournaments, special events, rentals, and community programming hosted at the Memphis Sports and Events Center. Location: 995 Early Maxwell Blvd, Memphis, TN 38104, United States. Base Pay: $50,000 Annually. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Organize and execute all facets of tournaments and special events including ideation, scheduling, staffing, budgeting, execution, evaluation, and post‑event reporting. Serve as the primary contact for assigned tournaments, special events, facility rentals, and event operators. Coordinate all event logistics including scheduling, staffing, setup, breakdown, signage, court assignments, vendor coordination, admissions, and event flow. Recruit, manage, supervise and evaluate part‑time event staff, scorekeepers, marshalls, coordinators, and event personnel. Work with tournament operators, officials, vendors, sponsors, and facility partners to ensure successful execution of all events. Create tournament schedules and operational timelines that provide the best competitive and guest experience possible. Build customer relationships with event operators, coaches, directors, vendors, and clients for continued sales, retention, and future bookings. Handle all customer‑related matters while delivering exceptional customer service and maintaining professionalism during live event operations. Assist with securing and coordinating special events, tournaments, conventions, expos, community events, and facility rentals. Work with vendors (i.e., awards, apparel, entertainment, rentals, etc.) to ensure best pricing, quality, and service. Monitor event sales forecasts, prepare operational reports, and assist with managing the financial resources of assigned events and programs. Collaborate with Marketing and Business Development teams to assist with event promotion and visibility. Collaborate with other department heads to ensure the smooth operation of tournaments, rentals, and special events. Maintain knowledge of and adherence to ESM/MSEC policies, rules, and regulations. Assist with additional operational and programming responsibilities as assigned. Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Management, Hospitality, Event Management, Sport Management, Business Administration, or related field preferred. Minimum of three (3) years of experience in event management, tournament operations, sports programming, hospitality, or related field. Minimum of one (1) year of supervisory experience preferred. Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple events simultaneously. Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills. Excellent interpersonal communication skills and the ability to build relationships with clients, operators, vendors, and guests. Ability to work effectively in fast‑paced, high‑pressure event environments. Creative thinker with a history of applying innovation in event operations and programming. Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays as required by event schedules. Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Computer Skills: Working knowledge of Google Workplace (Sheets, Docs, Slides, etc.). On hiring and training, ability to use registration software, timeclock software, and other facility software. Physical Demands The physical demands include sitting, using hands to finger, handle, or feel; reaching with hands and arms and talking or hearing; standing, walking, climbing or balancing; stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling; occasional lifting/moving up to 50 pounds. Visual abilities required: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Work Environment The noise level is usually moderate to loud and reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. #J-18808-Ljbffr