Sports Manager (Region 1)

About the position The Sports Manager at Special Olympics Northern California (SONC) recruits, trains, and motivates team members on an ongoing basis. This individual is responsible for promoting the organization to enhance athlete participation at trainings and competitions within an assigned region and area. The Sports Manager builds and deploys new teams, manages existing teams, recruits and supervises coaches, and ensures all athletes receive a top-quality training within the program. This individual is also responsible for implementing local, regional and chapter competition events within the region or area. Oversees all aspects of existing and new competitions, as well as creates new competition opportunities. The Sports Manager is also expected to support competition-related initiatives within the region, area, and program overall. The Sports Manager must reside in or very near assigned region they oversee. This position will be overseeing Region 1 (Marin to Monterey). Candidates must live in or very near the Region as they are expected to report to the office in San Jose 2 days per week minimum.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, train, motivate and support Area Directors, Team Managers and Head Coaches via orientations, coaches’ clinics, and by continually sharing pertinent information with coaches and associated program participants/ members.
• Communicate with Area Directors, Team Managers and Head Coaches on an ongoing basis regarding program-wide sports policies, rules, and procedures.
• Develop strategies to increase athlete recruitment, retention, & participation at competitions.
• Prepare and share gathered data regarding competition metrics with Area Directors, Team Managers and Head Coaches, including presenting to groups, schools, and parent groups.
• Manage seasonal athlete registration system, including promoting registration and processing registrants.
• Conduct strategic planning meetings with Area Directors, Team Managers and Head Coaches on a regular basis to ensure groups remain apprised of sports activities.
• Communicate competition event information to parents, athletes, and coaches for upcoming seasons (newsletters, flyers, e-mail blasts, or phone trees, etc.).
• Set up a training program that meets the standards set forth by SONC.
• Contact facility and negotiate the contract (written) and get all necessary insurance arranged before first practice commences.
• Make sure all training sites are properly equipped with sports equipment and coaches’ materials for start of program, order additional materials as necessary.
• Organize transportation to competitions as needed; review all registration materials for teams attending competitions in advance to ensure accuracy and make corrections as needed.
• Assist with the maintenance of the athlete information database and update the system for accuracy on a consistent basis.
• Ensure all athletes are receiving a quality training program that meets the minimum requirement of 6-8 weeks in duration.
• Attend scheduled practices for local programs and ensure all participants, staff, coaches, etc. are receiving robust support.
• Continued efforts to secure in-kind services for training needs; work with development staff to involve and/or cultivate possible donors that are created through the outreach efforts to volunteers and coaches.
• Management and oversight of invitational, regional, and chapter competitions.
• Identify needs and opportunities and build structure for invitational competitions.
• Secure competition venues, including all needed contracts and insurance coverage.
• Recruit all volunteer positions as program requires via the use of presentations, online recruitment, and other community outreach sources.
• Create, execute, and maintain a Games Management Team structure, including delegation of responsibilities within the team in assigned areas(s).
• Provide orientations and ongoing training for Games Management Teams and other volunteers.
• Create, distribute, and process registration materials for competitions.
• Ensure regular compliance with competition standards and correct deficiencies as necessary.
• Ensure that competitions are executed within a safe and fun environment.
• Secure all needed competition officials or judges for competitions.
• Provide/secure all necessary equipment, venue supplies, paperwork, and collateral for events.
• Contribute to the maintenance, creation, and innovation of competition-related materials such as: Guidebooks, training materials, and other tools to enhance the overall athlete experience at competitions.
• Add Unified Sports divisions (integrated teams comprised of individuals with and without intellectual disabilities) within sports competitions.
• Budget management: Create and manage the budget throughout fiscal year.
• Appropriately allocate SONC resources to area programs, staying within budgeting parameters.
• Obtain and/or maintain working knowledge of sports rules and guidelines as they relate to trainings and competitions.
• Develop effective recruitment strategies including inquiries, public relations, direct outreach within communities, etc. to increase coach and volunteer engagement; implement strategies within the local program.
• Ensure the continued retention of volunteers through ongoing recognition (both formal and informal), training, and exit interviews with departing volunteers.
• Evaluate volunteer positions and make recommendations for upcoming sports seasons.
• Provide competition data as needed for reporting and organizational purposes.
• Maintain inventory and care of sports storage facilities, including uniforms, sports equipment, signage, and general use equipment for competitions.
• Ensure that all athletes and coaches meet minimum eligibility standards including completing required applications.
• Access volunteer database and utilize data and tools within database to manage and communicate with volunteers.
• Aim to secure “in-kind” services for competition needs.
• Identify and implement opportunities to integrate regional initiatives into local sports programming.
• Represent SONC in the local communities, including media and other outreach.
• Ability to work nights and weekends as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related discipline.
• 4+ years of experience in a similar role is required.
• A passion for SONC’s mission of promoting inclusivity for people of all ages with intellectual disabilities through year-round sports programs.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including strong presentation skills.
• Demonstrated computer skills – Office 365, Zoom and Google Suite.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including tactful and diplomatic communication skills and the ability to de-escalate high-stress situations.
• Demonstrated success with building and maintaining Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships.
• Strong time management, multitasking, and prioritization skills – able to prioritize and handle a wide variety of deadline-driven projects simultaneously.
• Strong management skills and demonstrated experience directing teams.
• Flexibility - Able to adapt to changes in the work environment.
• Commitment to providing athletes, community partners and other stakeholders with excellent customer service.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working for a nonprofit is a plus.
• experience with information databases - such as Salesforce - is a plus.

Benefits

• Medical
• dental
• vision
• 403(b) retirement plan
• life and long-term disability insurance
• vacation
• sick leave
• personal days
• federal holidays
• an annual paid Winter Break

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