Director, Professional Tennis Business Development

Who We Are

We are Tennis! The USTA (United States Tennis Association) is the national governing body for the sport of tennis and the leader in promoting and developing the sport’s growth on every level in the United States, from local communities to the crown jewel of the professional game, the US Open.

We are a passionate team of staff and volunteers focused on growing the sport of tennis and making it accessible to all. We are committed to removing barriers and creating opportunities for ALL to participate. Don’t know tennis? Don't worry, you can still find yourself in the game!

The Director, Experiential Business will serve as the architect of premium, once-in-a-lifetime experiences for tennis fans and corporate partners. This role connects clients with professional tennis players through strategic programming, hospitality activations, and bespoke engagements centered around the US Open and year‑round initiatives. The Director is responsible for the strategic development, commercialization, and execution of all player‑driven experiential programs, working cross‑functionally with Sales, Hospitality, Player Services, and external partners to deliver world‑class experiences.

• Lead the strategic planning, development, and execution of experiential programs that connect professional players with VIP and corporate clientele.

• Partner with US Open commercial teams to design premium player‑driven experiences for sale to partners and clients.

• Manage relationships with official US Open partners to fulfill player appearance and activation needs.

• Cultivate and expand relationships with players, legends, and agents to support experiential programming.

• Prepare for the 2027 transition to fully internalized partner player services (elimination of third‑party vendors).

• Identify and develop new revenue opportunities across local, national, and international markets, including:

  • Country clubs

  • College tennis programs

  • Private tennis clubs

  • Corporate hospitality clients

• Design and launch new 2027 experiential programs, including:

  • Expert host experiences

  • Pro‑am events

  • Off‑site activations

• Develop long‑term programming plans for legends and current players within club and premium hospitality spaces.

• Conduct market research and networking across major global sporting events (e.g., Formula 1, Super Bowl, Golf Majors, FIFA World Cup 2026).

• Support other major tennis and sports events as needed (e.g., Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, NCAA Championships).

• Enhance project management and operational tracking through Salesforce and related systems.

• Analyze client and player feedback to identify opportunities for program improvement and innovation.

• Lead the execution of all US Open experiential programs in coordination with Elevate, Hospitality, Player Services, Facilities, and other stakeholders.

• Oversee scheduling and delivery of 200+ player appearances across the three‑week event.

• Manage the legends and current player suite appearance programs.

• Build, train, and manage a seasonal operations team to support daily execution.

• Oversee player scheduling, contracts, invoicing, and communications with players and agents.

• Execute all current player ambassador agreements, including:

  • Content shoots

  • Social media deliverables

  • On‑site appearances

• Manage all off‑site experiential activations during the US Open.

• Coordinate player appearances with internal stakeholders (e.g., USTA Coaching, USTA Foundation, Fountain Stage).

• Oversee the backstage tour program.

• Manage US Open Legends match programming.

• Provide operational support to Player Services, including:

  • Practice desk

  • Transportation

  • Staffing coordination

• Position based in Purchase, NY.

• Regular on‑site work at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and Times Square office.

• Occasional travel to professional tennis tournaments and major global sporting events.

• 5+ years of relevant experience in sports, events, hospitality, or experiential marketing.

• Strong operational background in large‑scale event execution; tennis experience preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and convert high‑value…