Sports Tourism Business Development Manager - Economic Development Agency

SPORTS TOURISM BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

CITY OF GALLATIN

The purpose of this position is to perform technical and professional administrative work to promote the City of Gallatin as a sports tourism destination. This position is primarily responsible for identifying locations and cultivating private business partnerships with a goal of securing a comprehensive indoor/outdoor multi-sport complex, including a sports health component. This position is also responsible for creating the sports tourism business development strategy, securing new business partnerships, managing existing business relationships, and advancing the department’s strategic goals of elevating the economic impact and destination experience in sports event group travel.

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with event organizers, facility managers, sports organizations, and key local, regional, and national sports partners.
• Lead and manage the full sports tourism process from identifying new opportunities and strengthening existing events, to guiding proposals, contracts, and client relationships, ensuring smooth transitions from initial contact through event execution.
• Build and strengthen relationships with Gallatin’s school systems, youth sports leagues, and the City of Gallatin Parks and Recreation department.
• Collaborate with local businesses and community partners to create sponsorship and business-to-business (B2B) opportunities through sports and event initiatives.
• Represent the City of Gallatin in a professional manner at local, regional, and national conferences, trade shows, meetings, and events, including occasional overnight travel.
• Identify and recruit sporting events and tournaments that have the potential to drive visitor spending and increase economic impact within Gallatin and Sumner County.
• Support Gallatin’s sports tourism efforts through grant coordination, local organizing committee work, marketing, communications, and other activities that ensure successful events.
• Utilize data, sales tools, and strategic metrics to attract new events, measure performance, and evaluate return on investment.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of Gallatin’s sports venues, event facilities, hotels, and recreational assets, serving as a resource for community groups and stakeholders.
• Work closely with the Gallatin Tourism and Communications staff to manage sports-related content and editorial planning for Destination Gallatin and other promotional platforms. Provide insight, story ideas, and trends for publication, social media, and promotional material.
• Collaborate with city leadership to identify new opportunities, partnerships, and strategic initiatives that grow Gallatin’s presence in sports and recreation.
• Meet or exceed annual goals related to event recruitment, bids, sponsorship development, and long-term sports tourism sustainability.
• Regular and predictable attendance.
• Ability to work in a cooperative manner with others.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university in Sports/Tourism/Hospitality/Recreation Management, Marketing, or Business Administration; AND
• Three (3) years or more of relevant experience in destination, sporting event, and/or sports asset marketing or business development; OR
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience using the Tourism Economics Event Impact Calculator (EIC) and interpreting/communicating EIC data is a bonus.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.

• Excellent project management and time management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and objectives simultaneously.
• Knowledge of media and public relations policies, practices and procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional working relationships with colleagues, department heads, governmental officials, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports and conversations, within the provision of open records law and…