President, Business Operations

President, Business Operations
Des Moines Buccaneers
Position Overview

The Des Moines Buccaneers are seeking an accomplished, entrepreneurial, and strategic leader to serve as President, Business Operations. This executive will be responsible for leading the organization's overall business strategy, commercial growth, financial performance, brand development, and day-to-day business operations.

The President, Business Operations will work closely with ownership, the hockey operations department, league leadership, community partners, sponsors, fans, and key stakeholders to position the Des Moines Buccaneers for sustained long-term success both on and off the ice.

This is a highly visible leadership position requiring a proven ability to drive revenue, build partnerships, develop people, maximize facility and team assets, and create new business opportunities.

• Lead the overall business strategy and organizational direction of the Des Moines Buccaneers.
• Develop and execute short- and long-term strategic plans designed to increase revenue, profitability, attendance, brand awareness, and organizational value.
• Serve as a key advisor to ownership and provide regular reporting on financial performance, business development, organizational initiatives, and strategic opportunities.
• Establish a high-performance culture focused on accountability, innovation, collaboration, and customer service.
• Identify emerging trends and opportunities within professional and junior hockey, sports, entertainment, and the broader Des Moines market.

• Oversee all revenue-generating functions, including corporate partnerships, ticket sales, premium seating, group sales, merchandise, concessions, events, and other ancillary revenue streams.
• Develop and implement aggressive but sustainable commercial growth strategies.
• Build and maintain relationships with major corporate partners, sponsors, community leaders, civic organizations, and business executives.
• Lead the organization's sponsorship strategy, including prospecting, sales, renewals, activation, and fulfillment.
• Develop new revenue opportunities through strategic partnerships, premium experiences, special events, tournaments, concerts, shows, conferences, and other uses of team and facility assets.
• Maximize utilization and profitability of all available organizational and venue assets.

• Maintain overall accountability for the organization's financial performance and P&L.
• Develop and manage annual operating budgets and long-range financial forecasts.
• Monitor revenue, expenses, cash flow, and key financial performance indicators.
• Work with ownership and finance personnel to establish appropriate financial controls and reporting processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve margins, reduce unnecessary expenses, and increase organizational efficiency.

• Oversee the continued development and evolution of the Des Moines Buccaneers brand.
• Develop strategies that increase the team's visibility, relevance, and connection with the Des Moines community.
• Oversee marketing, digital media, communications, public relations, promotions, and fan engagement initiatives.
• Ensure consistent brand positioning across all organizational platforms and business relationships.
• Develop innovative campaigns and experiences designed to attract new fans while increasing engagement among existing supporters.

• Oversee ticket sales strategy, including season tickets, group sales, individual game sales, premium products, and retention initiatives.
• Establish strategies to grow the organization's fan base and improve attendance.
• Develop programs that strengthen relationships with season-ticket holders, youth hockey families, alumni, corporate partners, and the broader community.
• Utilize data and analytics to improve customer acquisition, retention, pricing, and overall fan experience.
• Work collaboratively with venue management and partners to maximize the economic potential of the team's facility assets and expansion of the new events center.

• Recruit, develop, motivate, and…