Greater Gainesville Sports Alliance Manager Convention and Visitors Bureau at City of Gainesville, GA

About the Department

The Greater Gainesville Sports Alliance (GGSA) Manager leads sports tourism strategy and venue management for the City of Gainesville, driving economic impact and positioning Gainesville/Hall County as a premier destination for athletic events. This role oversees strategic planning, budgeting, marketing, quarterly economic impact reporting, and management of a master calendar of 170+ annual sports events. As venue manager for Lake Lanier Olympic Park, the Manager directs all contracting, permitting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and City of Gainesville, vendor coordination, and event-day operations. The position plans and executes more than 30 annual sports tourism activations—including NCAA championships, annual rowing & canoe/kayak regattas, GHSA tournaments, youth travel events, and community festivals—while coordinating housing, hospitality, and special experiences in partnership with local hotels and event organizers. Serving as liaison to city officials, hoteliers, sports clubs, and community stakeholders, the Manager cultivates partnerships, represents Gainesville at trade shows and familiarization tours, and ensures five-star experiences for athletes, fans, and partners. This role requires a flexible schedule with frequent evening and weekend work to deliver high-quality events and programs.

Position Duties

Strategic Leadership and Planning

Develop, implement, and evaluate the Greater Gainesville Sports Alliance strategic plan, aligning sports tourism with the City’s broader tourism and economic development goals.

Prepare, monitor, and manage annual budgets; recommend capital and equipment needs; oversee financial accountability and reporting.

Lead the creation and execution of a comprehensive marketing and sponsorship strategy to increase visibility, participation, and revenue.

Prepare quarterly economic impact reports to track and communicate the financial and community benefits of sports tourism initiatives.

Maintain and manage an internal master event calendar of all sports tourism events in Gainesville/Hall County (170+ annually).

Research and pursue grant funding and fundraising opportunities to expand GGSA’s impact and resources.

Venue Management at Lake Lanier Olympic Park

Serve as the sports venue manager for all event rentals at Lake Lanier Olympic Park, overseeing contracting, permitting, and compliance with facility policies and public safety guidelines.

Act as the primary liaison for permitting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and coordinate with City of Gainesville Special Events on securing required services including Police, Fire/EMS, and sanitation.

Negotiate, draft, and manage rental agreements, ensuring accuracy, accountability, and clear communication with clients.

Provide vendor and contractor support, including coordination of food and beverage, security, production, and equipment needs.

Lead on-site event day management by supervising staff, vendors, and volunteers, troubleshooting in real time, and ensuring seamless client and guest experiences.

Event Development and Operations

Oversee planning and execution of 30+ annual sports tourism activations, including but not limited to NCAA regional and national championships, U.S.

Rowing events, GHSA tournaments, youth travel tournaments, and community festivals.

Manage all aspects of event logistics, including hospitality, housing, transportation, public safety, signage, equipment rental, and volunteer coordination.

Mediate between event organizers and hotel partners, assisting with room blocks, contract negotiation, and athlete/fan accommodations.

Coordinate hospitality nights and special experiences for major athletic events, enhancing the athlete and fan experience.

Serve as primary on-site lead to resolve customer service needs and ensure five-star athlete, fan, and stakeholder experiences.

Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement

Serve as liaison between the City of Gainesville, sports venues, local sports clubs, hospitality partners, and event rights-holders.

Cultivate relationships with hoteliers, vendors, sponsors, and community, regional, and statewide partners to strengthen Gainesville’s tourism ecosystem.

Foster partnerships with the local collegiate system, including the University of North Georgia and Brenau University, to attract and host collegiate sporting events and championships.

Represent the City of Gainesville at trade shows, community events, and familiarization (FAM) tours to attract new sporting events and partnerships.

Support long-term strategic initiatives, including re-engaging the Greater Gainesville Sports Alliance Advisory Board as a future leadership and partnership platform.

Marketing, Promotions and Community Outreach

Develop, analyze, and evaluate marketing campaigns promoting Gainesville/Hall County as a sports destination.

Direct GGSA’s branding and digital presence in partnership with the CVB’s marketing team, including website, social media platforms, newsletters, and promotional materials.

Design and deliver community programming including networking/education events and the GGSA annual economic impact report.

Build local awareness and engagement through media outreach, advertising, and event promotions.

Coordinate with Lake Lanier Olympic Park, Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club, and Lake Lanier Rowing Club to establish annual event calendars and operational needs.

Other Duties

Perform other related responsibilities as assigned.

Maintain a full-time schedule with frequent evening and weekend requirements to support sports tourism events, venue operations, and community activations.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Four-year degree or a minimum of five years of experience in event planning, marketing, public speaking, or related experience that provides the qualifications stated above.

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid Class C Driver’s License and a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record (MVR)

CPR Certification desirable.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Professional products preferred.

Strong skills in public relations and customer service.

Excellent oral and written communication abilities.

Ability to manage multiple priorities, demanding situations, and emergency response.

Strong interpersonal skills to establish and maintain relationships with government officials, private sector partners, customers, and the public.

Independent judgment and discretion in handling staff, volunteers, emergencies, and operational decisions.

Ability to balance long- and short-term planning with consistent, sound decision-making.

Effective problem-solving and analytical skills.

Strong organizational and time-management abilities.

Positive outlook with a professional demeanor that fosters team cohesion and high performance.

Ability to work independently with limited supervision.

Flexibility to work irregular and extended hours, including evenings and weekends.

Goal- and results-oriented mindset.

Other Qualifications

This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive.  It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this job.   The incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification.