Development – Sports & Events Manager

About Us

The City of Glendale is a world‑class sports, entertainment, and visitor destination experiencing rapid economic growth and development. Our department works proactively to identify market opportunities, support strategic site selection, and partner with public and private stakeholders to strengthen Glendale’s local economy. Within Economic Development, our destination‑focused teams lead efforts to grow and enhance meetings, conventions, sports, and special events—leveraging these sectors as key drivers of economic impact, job creation, and community vitality.

We strive to position Glendale as a competitive and welcoming destination while fostering sustainable growth that benefits the entire community.

The Destination Development – Sports & Events Manager develops and implements sports‑and‑event‑generating programs to promote Glendale as a premier destination for tournaments, signature events, and entertainment experiences. The role generates bed tax, retail, and restaurant sales tax revenues by attracting high‑quality sports and leisure events. It manages sales strategies and recruitment programs; represents the City at local, regional, national, and international sports industry trade shows, sales missions, and events.

It works collaboratively with City departments, venues, and hospitality partners to enhance Glendale’s visibility, organizes site visits and familiarization tours for sports organizers and stakeholders, develops customized itineraries, and prepares sales, business plans, and economic impact reports as requested.

• This position is a grade 406, and is FLSA Exempt
• The salary for this role is $63,108.00 – $94,662.00 annually.

The City of Glendale offers a generous benefits package with competitive rates that become effective the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment. Holiday, Vacation, and Sick Leave:
Regular status positions observe 10.5 holidays per year, and full‑time employees receive an additional 12 hours of holiday special leave per calendar year to celebrate their cultural or religious holidays.

Vacation leave accrues at 5.33 hours per pay period (138 hours/17.25 days per year), increasing to 6.12 hours after five years, and to 7.6 hours after ten years of service. Sick leave accrues at 4.4 hours per pay period (114 hours/14.25 days per year).

Retirement participation is mandatory, currently at a 12.00% contribution rate.

• Develops and implements sports and event sales strategies and activities to promote Glendale and the region as a premier sports and entertainment destination.
• Generates and attracts quality leads for Glendale hotels, sports venues, and tourism‑related businesses to increase revenues and economic impact.
• Plans, executes, and implements sales efforts for the City at local, regional, national, and international sports trade shows, sales missions, and industry events. Coordinates stakeholder partnerships, appointments, trip reports, and follow‑up.
• Builds relationships with local, regional, national, and international sports and tourism professionals to attract tournaments, signature events, and fan experiences in partnership with hospitality and tourism organizations.
• Organizes and leads familiarization tours and site visits of Glendale for sports organizers and event planners, including creating itineraries, securing hotel, dining, and venue accommodations.
• Administers the Tourism Investment Fund and supports related grant or funding processes.
• Generates sports sales reports, business plans, and economic impact data in a clear, organized, and concise manner.
• Provides content for social media and digital platforms to promote sports, tournaments, and events.
• Responds to marketing and advertising requests from vendors, sports organizations, and potential partners.
• Coordinates and facilitates activities associated with digital and print advertisements, sponsor ships, and marketing collateral.
• Maintains lead and client data utilizing a computerized customer relationship management (CRM) system.
• Assists sports clients and event planners with logistics, communications, and City service coordination.
• Assists with the…