Director of Sports Ministry

JOB SUMMARY:  The Director of Sports Ministry develops and provides leadership for Emerald Youth Foundation’s city-wide recreational and competitive sports programs as well as Emerald Youth’s urban middle schools’ sports offerings, in accordance with our sports philosophy, helping youth have life-long active lifestyles and develop spiritually and physically.  This role also develops networks of community partners and volunteers to assist in sports programs; provides support to Emerald Youth neighborhood sports programming through standardizing processes and guidance; achieves earned income objectives through sports programs and sports facilities rentals; and helps promote the urban FCA ministry.   

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

• Direct the organization and execution of teams, leagues, camps, clinics, tournaments, and special events for city-wide recreational and competitive programs and urban middle schools’ sports offerings. Programs and offerings should be heavily focused on building feeder programs for high school-sanctioned sports and will include, but are not limited to, field sports, gym sports, aquatic sports, city-wide recreation offerings, and urban FCA ministry activities.   
• Develop and pilot new sports programming.
• Value and uphold Emerald Youth sports philosophy in the development and delivery of programming.
• Help set the target program sizes and develop the recruitment systems that will help identify, recruit, engage, support, and retain neighborhood children, youth and young adults.
• Help staff to connect sports participants to Emerald Youth neighborhood programs.
• Develop relationships that lead to family engagement with Emerald Youth.
• Ensure sports staff identify constraints or leakage that could keep children, youth and young adults from being comprehensively engaged in faith, learning, and health activities or meeting outcomes. Ensure staff seeks solutions working collaboratively with others to attempt and resolve issues so youth can move forward in ministry initiatives.
• Be the relationship manager who grows existing and develops new sports and recreation program delivery partners.
• Consult on neighborhood sports operations and ensure a common brand among all.
• Form, lead and supervise a team of direct reports including staff, interns, and volunteers. Lead and supervise to ensure strong Christian-based high-quality sports-focused programming is executed.  Work with staff to develop objective performance measurements to ensure consistent high-quality performance is meet and development opportunities are recognized and addressed.  Instill and encourage spiritual disciplines for all members and help the team to grow and become better through high standards, discipleship, and modeling the teachings of Jesus Christ.  Oversee contract labor to ensure alignment with Emerald Youth values.
• Recruit, communicate, and engage relationally with core volunteers and interns and ensure sports staff does the same. Ensure candidates are screened through human resources and volunteers are entered into the volunteer database.
• Coordinate with communications team to confirm to create standardization branding for all sports and is cohesive and compliant with organizational standards. Ensure team and uniform branding is prevalent, including FCA where applies.
• Ensure that sports programs maintain sound fiscal management by ensuring compliance with organizational policies and procedures; and developing and maintaining sports related budgets for assigned area and ensure budget compliance with direct reports that have spending authority. Submit budget recommendations as required. 
• Responsible for and working with identified team members to ensure assigned revenue is generated through sports programs; including tournaments, fees, camps, concessions, and facilities rentals.
• Ensure team tracks and reports data as required, provide measurements as needed, and analyzes reports to create improvement plans. Ensure coordination and oversight of resources in area (i.e., facilities, transportation, IT, data.)
• Ensures all safety rules, regulations and procedures are followed; ensures that employees and volunteers are trained in safety procedures.
• Manage and be the liaison for the urban FCA ministry partnership. Help the neighborhood Sports & Recreation Directors develop FCA programs at their neighborhood school and ensure Emerald Youth Sports teams have FCA chaplains. Work with program development to ensure FCA and Emerald Youth consistently align in themes and values.
• Participate in area ministry network and organization events and internal and external sports league meetings, including working outside normal schedule as needed. Identify, support, and engage in network activities (i.e. camps, etc.) as needed.

• Maintain a current CDL and drive large vehicles/buses as needed.
• Deliver effective and timely communication and ensure staff does the same.

• Manage additional projects and tasks as assigned, and participate with any assigned groups or committees.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Dedicated Christian with clear knowledge of the Gospel and a passion for the mission of Emerald Youth Foundation; connected to a church community; possesses a strong reputation for honesty, integrity, and high moral standards. 
• Sports Management or related bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 5-7 years’ experience managing youth-focused faith, academic, and/or sports programs – preferably in an urban setting
• Experience as collegiate athlete preferred.
• Personal athletic experience in multiple sports preferred.
• FCA background and/or knowledge.
• Experience developing, refining, evaluating and sustaining programming.
• Experience working in business or non-profit management strongly preferred.
• Experience managing people.
• Experience managing youth-focused faith, academic, and/or sports programs – preferably in an urban setting.
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills; ability to prioritize tasks and strong project management skills managing complex, multifaceted projects resulting in measurable success and program growth.
• Proficient in using technology as a management reporting tool and communication tool.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and business acumen.
• Ability to achieve results under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Good driving record. Ability and willingness to obtain CDL with P endorsement and drive large vehicles/buses.
• Experience seeking and forming partnerships.
• Willingness to work extended hours.
• Ability to work efficiently in a collaborative setting.