Sports Event & Marketing Specialist

Sports Event & Marketing Specialist

Position Objective:

Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports, Visit Tuscaloosa, is currently hiring a Sports Event & Marketing Specialist to support the sports tourism visitor experience and service efforts, as well as marketing efforts that elevate the sports tourism vertical. In this role, you will collaborate to develop marketing assets that help recruit sporting events while delivering exceptional visitor experiences for our sports tourism clients and their visitors.

The Sports Event and Marketing Specialist serves as a key connector between sales, marketing, and visitor experience, combining client services, event execution, creative content development, and destination storytelling to strengthen Tuscaloosa County’s reputation as a premier place to compete and visit. The position reports to the Director of Sports Tourism; however, the position will work with the Marketing and Communications Director to ensure marketing efforts are cohesive and in alignment with the overall vision and strategy for the organization.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree preferred in hospitality, tourism, communications, marketing, public relations, event management, or a related field. Equivalent professional experience may be considered. This is an entry-level position, and we are seeking individuals with 1 to 3 years of related experience. This position requires willingness to travel and work evenings, weekends, trade shows, and special events as needed; hospitality/tourism/destination marketing experience is preferred.

Successful candidates should possess: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, excellent interpersonal and client service abilities, creativity and attention to detail, working knowledge of social media platforms, digital marketing tools, and content management systems, familiarity with social media analytics, SEO principles, and content strategy, basic graphic design, photography, and video editing skills preferred, ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously, professional judgment and strong interpersonal skills, knowledge of Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite, and the ability to work collaboratively within a fast-paced team environment.

Reporting Responsibility

The Sports Event & Marketing Specialist will report directly to the Director of Sports Tourism; however, this position will work collaboratively with the Marketing and Communications Director on a regular basis.

Major Areas of Responsibility

Client Experience & Event Services

• Build/maintain authentic relationships with clients, partners, volunteers, and community stakeholders through exceptional hospitality, responsiveness, and service.
• Anticipate client needs and identify opportunities to elevate the visitor experience beyond expectations.
• Support the planning and execution of visitor/hospitality services for sporting events.
• Coordinate welcome experiences, registration support, hospitality activations, itineraries, VIP experiences, and event logistics.
• Serve as a welcoming, visible representative of Visit Tuscaloosa during client visits, site visits, and hosted events.
• Help coordinate volunteer support for sporting events and destination activations.
• Assist with setup, breakdown, transportation, and coordination of event materials and promotional assets.
• Build positive relationships with hospitality partners, volunteers, attractions, venues, and community organizations that contribute to outstanding visitor experiences.
• Maintain organized project files, digital assets, calendars, and operational documentation.
• Manage collection of event metrics and visitor data, assist with economic impact reporting, and client feedback.

Sales Marketing & Creative Support

• Develop marketing assets that support the recruitment of sports events and tournaments.
• Collaborate with the Director of Sports Tourism and Marketing and Communications Director to design presentations, bid materials, digital brochures, promotional pieces, microsites, email marketing campaigns, event branding, and other customized sports sales collateral.
• Maintain sales resource libraries including photography, video, testimonials, promotional assets, and destination information.
• Create and/or support marketing plans for sporting events secured by Visit Tuscaloosa as needed.
• Assist with CRM administration, lead support, sales communications, and database maintenance.

Destination Storytelling

• Capture photography and video during sporting events, and at times, festivals, and other community experiences.
• Develop event recap content, client success stories, testimonials, and visual assets highlighting the sports tourism experience.
• Collaborate with the communications team to ensure sports tourism stories are incorporated into the organization’s broader content strategy.
• Create engaging content showcasing the visitor experience before, during, and after hosted events.

Trade Shows & Industry Representation

• Represent Visit Tuscaloosa at industry conferences, sales missions, trade shows, networking events, and client appointments.
• Assist with booth design, setup, presentations, promotional materials, and follow-up communications.
• Stay informed on destination trends, industry best practices, and competitive positioning within the sports tourism markets.

Disclaimer: Job descriptions should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with a job. They are intended to be reflections of the principal job elements essential to that position. Visit Tuscaloosa reserves the right to revise this description.

Pay: $45,000.00 - $52,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person