Sports Manager, Soccer Leagues and Programs

Canlan Sports is the largest private sector owner and operator of recreational sports complexes in North America. The company’s success in the recreation-entertainment & hospitality industry is attributed to a combination of innovative programming, service delivery leadership and world-class sports complexes. We understand our customers’ need for service excellence and are committed to it.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director, North American Programs; the Sports Manager, Soccer Leagues and Programs is a key member of the team at Canlan Sports. With a complement of in-house adult leagues, as well as youth leagues and instructional programs, this role is responsible for the product management, brand development, and strategic growth of soccer programming at Canlan Sports.

Responsibilities

• Develops adult and youth soccer league brand value propositions, product standards, pricing recommendations and delivery of best practices to create industry-leading customer experiences.
• Leads the development of Canlan’s in-house youth instructional programming, including the management of strategic partnerships.
• Works with Canlan Sports’ in-house tournament delivery team to develop and implement adult and youth tournament delivery programming.
• Works closely with the Director, North American Programs, to develop a product strategy and implement the vision for Adult and Youth soccer leagues at Canlan Sports which align with the organization’s strategic objectives, while accounting for a rapidly changing sports and recreation landscape.
• Provides leadership, product management, and support for Adult and Youth soccer leagues, including the development of the product calendar, relevant timelines, pricing models, registration processes and forecast projections, payment and collection considerations, and any additional support required for product delivery.
• Possesses subject-matter expertise on adult and youth soccer leagues in Canada and the United States, understanding and interpreting relevant participation trends, insights, and knowledge that will ensure that Canlan’s product offerings are timely, relevant, and maximize participant experience.
• Manages and leads ongoing discussions with direct reports and key relationships to ensure all aspects of operations, stats and scheduling, rules and regulations, sales and marketing, and priorities reflect established organizational standards.
• Collaborates with the Marketing team to ensure campaigns are timely, relevant, and executed in accordance with the product timelines at each location.
• Works with key internal stakeholders to identify areas of product cross-promotion, and opportunities with external stakeholders to enhance products with strategic partnerships.
• Develops tools and templates to assist reporting staff with national orders, marketing, and analysis, while assisting with purchase orders as required.
• Serves as a key stakeholder when engaging with external partners, vendors, and organizations that offer strategic value to Canlan Sports.
• Develops a high profile by taking an active role in appropriate business and professional associations that are deemed to be appropriate for the product category.

Qualifications and Education

• 8+ years’ experience in an Operations role specifically in Soccer (Football)
• Significant senior-level expertise with a proven track record of success in Multi-Unit Management, international experience an asset
• College Certificate or University Degree in business or a related field
• Registered Coaching Certificate with a recognized association(s)

Abilities, Attributes And Experience

• Demonstrated leadership and the ability to motivate, coach, and manage a team working towards strategic goals, and designing and implementing process efficiencies.
• Expertise in adult and/or youth recreational soccer programming, including the operation and execution of leagues, programs, and tournaments in Canada, and the United States.
• Strong computer skills, proven experience with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, and the ability to adopt and adapt to new technologies.
• Strong interpersonal and writing skills, with demonstrated ability administering a Content Management System (e.g., WordPress).
• Experience administering online stats, scheduling, and scoring platforms with a league or tournament recreational sports focus.
• Ability to multi-task and balance multiple projects under pressure, utilizing project management systems to meet the needs of the business.
• Accounting or budget experience, including the ability to manage expenses, track revenue, and identify where areas of opportunity and weakness exist.

NOTE: Only those applicants under consideration will be contacted. Please accept our utmost appreciation for your interest. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and not on race, color, creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions or any other classification protected by federal, provincial, and local laws and ordinances. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request. This Equal Employment Opportunity policy applies to all practices.
Canlan Sports