National Account Manager - OKC Sports

Position Overview

The National Account Manager performs the sales and marketing duties required to solicit and bring sporting events to Oklahoma City in partnership with nationally recognized organizations throughout the professional, collegiate, national and international markets.

Location: Oklahoma City, OK

Key Responsibilities

• Position requires a professional, diplomatic demeanor and exceptional relationship-building skills. Deals with a variety of personalities and situations and will heavily consist of interpersonal communication on a daily basis.
• Leverages extensive knowledge of the collegiate, professional & international sports markets, as well as youth events sanctioned by national governing bodies, to intentionally recruit events that will increase visitation, economic impact, and public recognition for the Oklahoma City community.
• Demonstrates public speaking and sales presentation skills while frequently presenting to clients or community stakeholders.
• Maintains a CRM database and local share drives with extensively detailed and organized data.
• Works evenings, weekends and/or holidays based on client and office demands, including on-site representation of OKC Sports at key events for operational support and stakeholder engagement.
• Travels independently with reliable transportation and a valid driver's license; extensive travel is sometimes required.
• May be required to walk or stand for extended periods, sometimes on hard surfaces, and lift or carry objects weighing up to 30 lbs.
• Proactively identifies, targets, and recruits major sporting events to be held in Oklahoma City.
• Builds and maintains strong working relationships with executives of Oklahoma City's sports facilities to foster partnerships and maximize facility use.
• Leads the preparation and presentation of competitive bids to nationally recognized organizations, and when appropriate, provides local businesses with bid materials and organizational resources to pursue similar opportunities.
• Oversees establishing room blocks and directing organizers and attendees toward Oklahoma City hotels, motels, and other partner service providers.
• Meets regularly with local hotel leadership, local organizing committees (LOCs) and industry partners to discuss future opportunities.
• Assists in planning and actively leading planner site visits and familiarization tours.
• Collaborates within a team by evaluating and reporting on event performance relative to department goals and effectively communicating research and service needs.
• Travels to sports-related trade shows; develops and delivers verbal and written presentations to clients and stakeholders; and maintains files on potential sporting and special event clients.
• Supports events on-site as needed, including tasks related to event management and operations.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Four-year degree from an academic institution in a related field. Master's degree in a related field is preferred but not required.
• Experience Required: Three plus years of experience with a sports commission, local organizing committee, national governing body or a related special event field.
• Qualifications: Experience booking, planning, and operationally executing championship sporting events; knowledge of the national and international sports market, including youth, collegiate, and professional organizers and their events; experience in the hospitality industry with an understanding of hotel contracts, facility negotiations, and vendor relations; strong written and oral communication skills with experience presenting to Boards of Directors, internal leadership teams, or community stakeholder executives; and a positive attitude with a strong focus on premium customer service and hospitality.