Sr Director of Business Development

Company Description

Arizona Athletic Grounds is a 275-acre youth sports and entertainment complex and one of the largest of its kind in North America, welcoming millions of visitors each year. The state-of-the-art facility hosts a wide range of youth and adult athletic programs, tournaments, and special events.

Designed to support community engagement and high-quality sports experiences, the complex offers diverse venues and amenities for organizers, athletes, and spectators. Arizona Athletic Grounds partners with organizations on rentals, sponsorships, and event programming, providing professional support for large-scale and specialty events.

Role Description

The Sr Director of Business Development is a full-time, on-site role based in Scottsdale, AZ, responsible for driving strategic revenue growth and expanding partnerships for Arizona Athletic Grounds. This role oversees new business initiatives, identifies and cultivates prospective clients, and builds long-term relationships with event organizers, sponsors, and community partners.

Day-to-day responsibilities include developing and executing business development plans, managing a pipeline of leads, preparing and negotiating contracts, and coordinating with internal teams on pricing, proposals, and service delivery. The Sr Director monitors market trends, evaluates new opportunities, and collaborates with leadership to shape the complex’s commercial strategy and brand presence.

This position also provides mentorship to business development staff and ensures consistent, high-quality client experiences from initial contact through post-event follow-up.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in New Business Development and Lead Generation, with a track record of growing revenue and expanding client portfolios.
• Strong capabilities in Business Planning, including setting targets, forecasting, and aligning business development initiatives with organizational strategy.
• Proficiency in Contract Negotiation, ensuring mutually beneficial agreements that reflect organizational standards and client expectations.
• Experience in Account Management, maintaining enduring client relationships and ensuring high levels of satisfaction and retention.
• Relevant experience in sports, entertainment, hospitality, or venue management environments is highly beneficial.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage executive-level stakeholders and diverse partners.
• Proven leadership experience, including managing teams, setting priorities, and driving performance in a fast-paced setting.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Sports Management, or a related field; advanced degree or equivalent experience is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with comfort using CRM tools and data to inform decisions and measure results.