Events Manager, Client Services

Events Manager, Client Services

Reports to: Director of Events

Status: Full Time (40+ hours)

FSLA: Exempt

Location: Columbus (hybrid Arena District Office and home)

Travel: Local event sites and venues within a 30-mile radius; approximately 20%, regional and national as needed.

The Greater Columbus Sports Commission is the only organization 100% focused on bringing sports events to Columbus, which is the 15th largest city in the United States and one of the fastest growing cities in the Midwest. Our team is comprised of passionate, smart staff members who are proud to amplify Columbus and elevate its position as a top sports event host city.

Just like the community we serve, Sports Commission team members are open‑minded, creative, hard‑working, and welcoming. Beyond our forward‑thinking professional development and flexible policies, we’re proud to be a progressive, vibrant and uplifting workplace.

Every day, the team strives to live out each of the organization’s core values:
Value the Voices, Take It On, Live Your Passion, Create Moments, and Think Forward. We incorporate these into daily responsibilities and meetings, and they’re crucial to our organization’s interactions with partners and community members — we honor our past and are always looking to the future.

The Events Manager is responsible for providing the highest quality service to all clients, including event rights holders, visitors, participants, and all others associated with the successful functioning of events and tournaments. The Events Manager will interact with clients to provide an enhanced event experience that is unique to Columbus and sets the city apart from other sports tourism destinations.

• Manage services to event accounts (national, regional, and local groups) across all market segments to customize a service plan unique to each client and to ensure a successful event in Columbus.
• Determine and execute the servicing and promotional support requirements of each organization with its respective rights holder.
• Coordinate welcome programs, signage, street pole banners, info tables, staff, and onsite services.
• Partner with sports groups and represent the Greater Columbus Sports Commission on local planning committees.
• Communicate issues and updates on client accounts to the Business Development Team.
• Update and maintain service activity in Client Relationship Management (CRM) database.
• Develop and measure goals of each event, track recurring business to service the groups, record attendance of each event, and evaluate post event surveys for organizational reporting.
• Manage and track inventory of client giveaways, gifts, and assets such as the mobile trailer and event equipment.

• Assist Business Development Team with analyzing bid specs and providing support during site inspections for prospective business.
• Prepare event requirements in major bids (ex. food & beverage, permits, budget, supplies, staffing).
• Coordinate and lead pre‑planning client visits and entertainment of event representatives.
• Attend client events in years leading up to their visit to Columbus to showcase the Columbus brand and build excitement, increase awareness, and maximize event attendance.

• Manage the Sports Volunteer Program and staffing events; recruit and train volunteers and track their community impact.
• Recruit and train supplemental support staff including Camp Leaders for Community Youth Camp and Community Cup events team members; develop policies and best practices for the events.
• Manage the Downtown Hospitality Banner Program, in conjunction with the Experience Columbus Events Manager.
• Events/Marketing Internship Program (develop programming, work with college and universities, and lead recruitment)
• Organize the OHSAA student‑athlete recognition events.

• Event planning partnership, development or fundraising functions of a for‑profit or non‑profit.
• Develop…