Director of Sports & Tourism Development Visit Stockton

Mission Statement 

Visit Stockton is dedicated to enhancing the region’s Quality of Life by collaboratively leading the promotion of our richly diverse community and advocating for initiatives that will enhance the city’s Quality of Place. 

Organizational Values:  

Accountability: We practice accountability as an organization and expect it from team members individually; We establish clear agreements, explaining the what and the how, and provide feedback on those agreements. 

Have Fun: We enjoy what we do; We remember that our industry is about celebrating our city and the relationships we build. 

Excellent Service: We provide excellent service to stakeholders, visitors, and our community; Excellent service = personalized service that will enhance one’s experience in the destination. 

Giving Back: We give back to those in need in our community; We do this to better understand the community, connect to it, and help it reach its highest potential. 

Learn & Improve: We are risk takers; We learn from our mistakes; We strive for growth personally and professionally via feedback and education; Our growth leads to innovation which makes us better able to fulfill our mission. 

VISIT STOCKTON SPORTS EVENT HISTORY 

Recent Sporting Events Hosted in Stockton: 

• Professional Disc Golf Association Champions Cup (2025) 

• Pacific Cup Men’s Water Polo Tournament (2024, 2025) 

• CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Wrestling Championships (2022, 2024) 

• Visit Stockton Pacific Invitational (Golf) (2022, 2023, 2024) 

• NCAA Women’s Water Polo National Championships (2023) 

• OTB Disc Golf Open (2021-2025) 

• Visit Stockton Women’s Golf Regional Preview (2022) 

• American Cornhole Organization Stockton Major (2022) 

• NCAA DII Women’s Golf West Regionals (2022) 

• Amgen Tour of California (2018, 2019) 

• NCAA DI Men’s Golf Regionals (2018, 2022) 

• NCAA Men’s Water Polo National Championships (2019) 

• California Collegiate Athletic Association Championships (Golf, Baseball, Softball, Basketball) (Multiple years) 

• USTA Baton Twirling National Championships (2014, 2022) 

• USA Water Polo Golden State Invitational (2016-2019) 

• West Coast Conference Baseball Championships (2013-2019, 2022) 

• West Coast Conference Golf Championships (2019) 

• USA Racquetball Junior Olympics (2015, 2017) 

• NCAA DI Women’s Basketball Regionals (2017) 

POSITION OVERVIEW 

Visit Stockton is seeking an ambitious, team-oriented sales professional with a passion for sports, who is experienced in leading teams and developing strategies focused on achieving data-driven results. We love to have fun, take risks, and be bold. If you are passionate about sports, sports marketing, event logistics, and event management, Visit Stockton is the home for you. Stockton has a long history of hosting amazing sporting events, and we have a fantastic relationship with our university and the local sports community. 

The Director of Sports & Tourism Development is part of the Leadership Team and reports directly to the CEO. The team member is responsible for all aspects of the sales and services for bringing high-quality, room night generating sporting events, tournaments, and championships to Stockton.  While the primary focus of this position is sports, this position also helps to bring non-sports related events to Stockton by developing group business leads and creating opportunities for Stockton hotel partners. This Director manages and mentors the Destination Services Manager. 

All Visit Stockton team members, regardless of role, share responsibility for promoting tourism’s value in our community. Every position contributes to lead generation and supports the sales and marketing efforts that drive visitation and economic impact for Stockton. As a leader, this role carries the additional responsibility of actively educating community members about the importance of tourism and inspiring them to participate in creating new opportunities that benefit both visitors and residents. 

This job description is an overview of the responsibilities that will need to be performed by the Director of Sports & Tourism Development. In no way does it state or imply that these will be the only duties the employee will be asked to perform. 

Responsibilities include: 

· Develop and execute a proactive strategy, ultimately attracting new sporting events and tourism-related events to Stockton. 

• Responsible for the soliciting and confirming sporting events & tournaments on a national, regional, and state level for Stockton area venues and facilities, with a primary focus on securing hotel room nights for the city. 

• Build relationships with key industry, collegiate, and local sporting event planners. 

• Prepare reports on pipeline progress, ROI, and economic impact while monitoring performance KPIs. 

• Review requirements, needs and budgets in RFPs of potential sporting events and determine if Stockton is a possible host. 

• Work closely with the CEO to evaluate event ROI, potential financial support and resources needed to successfully host the event. 

• Develop custom proposals and bid presentations as a response to RFPs addressing client specifications for hotel accommodations, transportation requirements, and site location for sporting events. 

• Build and maintain relationships with event organizers, sports governing bodies, collegiate partners, meeting planners, and stakeholders.  

• When necessary, helps organize Local Organizing Committees for hosting tournaments and events.  

• Promote good will toward the organization among partners, area hotels and motels, the community at large and fellow team members. 

• Send sales leads to hotels/motels advising them of dates and requirements of potential group events in the city. 

• Work closely with the marketing team for brand consistency and to elevate the sports marketing efforts. 

• Provide support and logistical assistance to event organizers in the planning and conducting of their events held in Stockton. 

• Develop, grow, and manage an event volunteer program. 

• Attend industry trade shows and conventions to represent and sell Stockton as a destination. 

· Track all efforts and manages sales contacts in iDSS database. 

· Maintain a well-informed, working knowledge of all athletic and event facilities, both private and public, available in the area to customers and acts as liaison between these entities and the customer. 

• Attend hosted events to ensure event is running smoothly and to ensure repeat business. 

• Occasional travel to attend tradeshows, meetings, conferences, and/or training. 

• Grow, develop, and manage the development of the Stockton Sports Foundation. 

· Assists in the development of sports business goals and objectives for the Visit Stockton budget and marketing plan.  

• Research best practices, new opportunities, and trends on a regular basis and shares information with internal team and partners. 

· Participates in various industry organizations and activities to maintain positive relationships and awareness of the city of Stockton and Visit Stockton. 

· Assist with special projects as assigned by the CEO.  

· Evaluates and counsel’s subordinates regarding discipline and other problems. 

· Completes performance evaluations on subordinate employees.  

• Maintains a well-informed working knowledge of the attractions and services available in the area to visitors.  

• Assists with general office duties and marketing fulfillment as needed. 

• Performs other tasks as assigned. 

Skills & Qualifications: 

• Education: Degree in sports management, marketing, hospitality, journalism, public relations, advertising, business administration, or related field. 

• At least 4 years’ experience in event management, bid development or sports marketing or an equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience. 

· Excellent writing skills including a strong command of grammar, usage, and vocabulary. 

· Proven ability to analyze data, manage KPIs, and adjust strategy accordingly. 

· Experience in leading highly effective sales teams. 

· Skilled in responding to RFPs and creating bid proposals.  

· Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees, management, outside agencies, and the media.  

· Skilled in organizing workflow and managing multiple projects.  

· Proficient in the use of computers and related equipment, hardware, and software applicable to area of assignment, specifically Microsoft Office suite. 

· Advanced user knowledge of the following software, sufficient for performing direct tasks as well as training others to use: CRM System (Customer Relationship Management)/web-based database programs, Outlook, MS Teams. 

· Ability to work under deadlines and stressful situations.  

· May be required to work extended hours, evenings, and weekends. 

· Ability to define and resolve problems quickly and effectively.  

· Ability to write clear, concise reports and business correspondence. 

• Strong analytical abilities, visual, and aesthetic sense. 

• Well-organized, self-motivated, and proactive. 

• Experience with design software such as Canva and Adobe Creative Suite is a strong advantage 

Physical/Sensory/Cognitive Requirements to Perform Essential Job Functions 

• Ability to sit at desk for 6-8 hours per day, if required.  

• Ability to operate computer keyboard and view computer screen for 7-8 hours per day, if required.  

• Ability to set up and tear down tradeshow booths, equipment, and marketing materials.  

• Must be able to hear and converse via telephone and in person.  

• Must be able to bend and stretch to reach file drawers.  

• May be required to lift boxes and small equipment up to 50 pounds in weight.  

• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record required. 

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. 

CHANGES: This job description will be updated if duties and responsibilities change significantly. Job functions are subject to modification based on business necessity.