Director of Business Development and Special Program Operations, Combat U

Director of Business Development and Special Program Operations, Combat U

Job no: 563268
Work type: Management (MPP)
Location: Sacramento
Categories: MPP, Athletics, At-Will, Full Time, On-site (work in-person at business location)

Working Title: Director of Business Development and Special Program Operations

Classification Title: Administrator I

Posting Details

Priority Application Date (Posting will remain open until filled): Thursday, November 12, 2026 @ 11:55 PM, PT

Hiring Preference
Not Applicable

Position Summary

Under the general direction of the Athletic Director, the Director of Business Development and Event Operations provides administrative leadership and strategic oversight for business operations, revenue generation, event operations, external partnerships, marketing, communications, fan engagement, sponsorship fulfillment, and assigned club sport or special program initiatives for Combat U and/or related Athletics priorities.

This position is responsible for managing and providing oversight of the business and event infrastructure necessary to support Combat U as a self-sustaining and externally visible program. This includes operational budget management, event budget development, revenue-generating event planning, sponsorship and partnership coordination, external event operations, donor and hospitality support, marketing and communications alignment, fan engagement strategy, event staffing, facility coordination, event compliance, and operational controls for on-campus and off-campus activities.

This position also manages and provides oversight of assigned club sport or special program operations, as directed by the Athletic Director or President. Responsibilities may include administrative operations, budget planning, event and competition logistics, facility scheduling, external partner coordination, revenue-generating opportunities, staffing support, and coordination with Athletics units and campus partners.

The incumbent supervises staff responsible for marketing, communications and fan engagement and provides direction for promotional strategy, event visibility, storytelling, attendance-building efforts, sponsorship recognition, partner visibility, and community engagement. The position works collaboratively with the Director of Combat Sports, Athletics leadership, coaches, campus departments, external partners, sponsors, donors, vendors, governing organizations, community stakeholders, and event staff to ensure programming is financially responsible, operationally sound, revenue-focused, and aligned with University and Athletics priorities.

FLSA: Exempt (Not eligible for overtime compensation)

Anticipated Hiring Range: $4,135.00 per month - $11,667.00 per month

CSU Classification Salary Range: $4,135.00 per month - $12,888.00 per month

Salary placement will be determined based on relevant qualifications and professional experience.

Best-in-class Benefits: Click here to learn more

CSU Total Compensation: Click here to learn more

Salary Grade/Range: 1

Recruitment Type: Regular (At-Will)

Time Base: Full-Time

Pay Plan: 12 months

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM with frequent need to work hours outside of these to meet operational needs.

Department Information

Combat U is an emerging initiative within Sacramento State Athletics designed to develop a sustainable, high-visibility combat sports program that supports the educational mission of the University, creates meaningful opportunities for student-athletes and participants, and strengthens the University's connection with the broader community.

Required Qualifications

Education:

1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible administrative experience.

Experience:

1. Progressively responsible experience in business operations, event operations, revenue generation, athletics administration, sport program administration, external relations, marketing, sponsorships, community engagement, or a related field.
2. Experience managing and providing oversight of complex programs, events, or operations involving multiple stakeholders, competing deadlines, financial considerations, public-facing responsibilities, and external partners.
3. Experience with budget management, fiscal planning, revenue and expense tracking, financial reporting, or resource allocation.
4. Experience developing, managing, or supporting revenue-generating events, partnerships, sponsorships, community programs, clinics, camps, ticketed or registration-based activities, or external engagement activities.
5. Experience supervising, directing, or providing work direction to staff, student assistants, casual workers, interns, volunteers, or event personnel.
6. Experience coordinating events, programs, or activities involving internal departments, external partners, vendors, sponsors, community organizations, or other stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Demonstrated ability to manage and provide oversight of administrative operations, business workflows, event operations, staffing plans, budgets, revenue projections, and program resources.
2. Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate revenue-generating events and partnership opportunities, including on-campus and off-campus event activities.
3. Ability to manage budgets for operations and events, including revenue projections, expense tracking, budget reconciliation, event settlements, and financial reporting.
4. Ability to work collaboratively with Athletics leadership, the Director of Combat Sports, coaches, staff, campus partners, external organizations, donors, sponsors, vendors, community partners, and students.
5. Strong organizational, analytical, communication, problem-solving, project management, and stakeholder management skills.
6. Ability to exercise independent judgment, discretion, and sound decision-making in a complex, public-facing, and fast-paced environment.
7. Ability to interpret, apply, and communicate University policies, procedures, business practices, event requirements, risk management expectations, procurement processes, and compliance-related processes.
8. Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, anticipate operational needs, and resolve issues that may affect program operations, revenue, events, partner relationships, or University reputation.
9. Ability to support a welcoming and inclusive environment for students, staff, partners, community members, and program participants.

Work Schedule Requirements:

1. Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and non-traditional hours based on event, program, operational, and community engagement needs.
2. Ability to travel to on-campus and off-campus locations, event sites, partner facilities, and community engagement activities as needed.

Condition of Employment

• Ability to pass background check

Preferred Qualifications

1. Master's degree in sport management, business administration, public administration, higher education administration, marketing, communications, recreation administration, kinesiology, or a related field.
2. Experience working in collegiate athletics, club sports, campus recreation, combat sports, event operations, business development, revenue generation, or a university-based program environment.
3. Experience managing business operations, revenue-generating events, sponsorship fulfillment, external partnerships, donor engagement, or community-based programming.
4. Experience managing or providing oversight of marketing, communications, fan engagement, brand visibility, social media strategy, promotional campaigns, or event storytelling.
5. Experience developing and implementing event budgets, revenue projections, sponsorship packages, partnership deliverables, post-event financial reports, or event settlement processes.
6. Experience managing events involving ticketing, registration, vendors, facility coordination, staffing, hospitality, sponsorship activation, public-facing communication, or external partner coordination.
7. Experience with club sport, emerging sport, or special initiative program administration such as Rugby or other similar sport program operations.
8. Experience supervising full-time staff, temporary staff, casual workers, student assistants, interns, volunteers, or event staff.
9. Knowledge of University procurement, fiscal, event, risk management, facility use, sponsorship, external partnership, or contract coordination processes.
10. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive relationships with campus departments, donors, sponsors, vendors, external partners, community organizations, youth-serving organizations, and sport-related organizations.

Documents Needed to Apply

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Failure to upload these documents may result in disqualification.