Position Summary

Under the general direction of the Athletic Director, the Director of Business Development and Event Operations provides administrative leadership and strategic oversight for business operations, revenue generation, event operations, external partnerships, marketing, communications, fan engagement, sponsorship fulfillment, and assigned club sport or special program initiatives for Combat U and/or related Athletics priorities.

This position is responsible for managing and providing oversight of the business and event infrastructure necessary to support Combat U as a self-sustaining and externally visible program. This includes operational budget management, event budget development, revenue-generating event planning, sponsorship and partnership coordination, external event operations, donor and hospitality support, marketing and communications alignment, fan engagement strategy, event staffing, facility coordination, event compliance, and operational controls for on-campus and off-campus activities.

This position also manages and provides oversight of assigned club sport or special program operations, as directed by the Athletic Director or President. Responsibilities may include administrative operations, budget planning, event and competition logistics, facility scheduling, external partner coordination, revenue-generating opportunities, staffing support, and coordination with Athletics units and campus partners.

The incumbent supervises staff responsible for marketing, communications and fan engagement and provides direction for promotional strategy, event visibility, storytelling, attendance-building efforts, sponsorship recognition, partner visibility, and community engagement. The position works collaboratively with the Director of Combat Sports, Athletics leadership, coaches, campus departments, external partners, sponsors, donors, vendors, governing organizations, community stakeholders, and event staff to ensure programming is financially responsible, operationally sound, revenue-focused, and aligned with University and Athletics priorities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible administrative experience.
• Progressively responsible experience in business operations, event operations, revenue generation, athletics administration, sport program administration, external relations, marketing, sponsorships, community engagement, or a related field.
• Experience managing and providing oversight of complex programs, events, or operations involving multiple stakeholders, competing deadlines, financial considerations, public-facing responsibilities, and external partners.
• Experience with budget management, fiscal planning, revenue and expense tracking, financial reporting, or resource allocation.
• Experience developing, managing, or supporting revenue-generating events, partnerships, sponsorships, community programs, clinics, camps, ticketed or registration-based activities, or external engagement activities.
• Experience supervising, directing, or providing work direction to staff, student assistants, casual workers, interns, volunteers, or event personnel.
• Experience coordinating events, programs, or activities involving internal departments, external partners, vendors, sponsors, community organizations, or other stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in sport management, business administration, public administration, higher education administration, marketing, communications, recreation administration, kinesiology, or a related field.
• Experience working in collegiate athletics, club sports, campus recreation, combat sports, event operations, business development, revenue generation, or a university-based program environment.
• Experience managing business operations, revenue-generating events, sponsorship fulfillment, external partnerships, donor engagement, or community-based programming.