Manager, Competition & Match Operations at Tampa Bay Sun FC

Department: Operations

Reports To: Director of Operational Strategy, Venues & Events

Classification: Full Time, Salary

Position Summary

The Manager, Competition & Match Operations is dedicated to the technical operational planning, coordination, and execution of competition-specific elements for all Tampa Bay Sun FC home matches, ensuring strict compliance with league standards and protocols. This role acts as the central operator for translating sporting strategy into operational reality, prioritizing competition readiness—including field management, technical areas, and team/official logistics—over broader, non-competition-related game day services. The Manager oversees the technical lifecycle of each home match from initial planning through post-match compliance, ensuring all match-specific regulatory requirements and operational workflows are met. Additionally, the Manager directs the end-to-end operational lifecycle for stadium and facility rentals, collaborates with leadership on rental strategy initiatives, and establishes scalable SOPs and frameworks to ensure rentals function as a consistent, professional revenue stream, while maintaining a primary focus on competition-specific excellence.

This role acts as the central operator responsible for translating strategy into execution, ensuring every home match is strategically planned, operationally prepared, and delivered at the highest standard. The Manager manages the complete operational lifecycle of each home match from initial planning through post match wrap up, overseeing operational planning, run of show development, competition readiness, staffing coordination, credentialing, and matchday execution.

Working cross functionally with Sporting, Medical, Broadcast, Production, Communications, Security, Facilities, Revenue, Marketing, and league representatives, the Manager coordinates departmental deliverables and drives operational alignment across all phases of match preparation and execution.

The Manager supports the Director of Operational Strategy, Venues & Events on long term planning and operational initiatives while maintaining ownership of day to day operational design, competition planning, workflow development, and matchday delivery. The role also supports venue rental operations as needed.

Competition Project Management

• Lead the planning and execution lifecycle for each home match from initial planning through post match wrap up.
• Coordinate departmental deliverables, establish operational deadlines, monitor progress, and ensure all matchday milestones are completed on schedule.
• Coordinate planning efforts across Sporting, Medical, Communications, Security, Broadcast, Production, Facilities, Ticketing, Revenue, Marketing, and Stadium Operations to ensure operational readiness and alignment.
• Develop and maintain the operational run of show, competition timelines, and matchday workflows that guide execution across all operational stakeholders.
• Evaluate operational performance following each match and implement improvements that increase efficiency, communication, and operational consistency.

Competition Operations

• Ensure all league competition regulations, operational standards, and matchday requirements are fully satisfied before, during, and after each home match.
• Oversee all competition related operational preparations including field readiness, technical areas, competition equipment, locker rooms, referee spaces, and all required operational assets.
• Serve as the primary operational lead during home matches, directing competition operations, maintaining match flow, and resolving operational issues in real time.
• Complete required league reports, operational documentation, post match evaluations, and compliance reporting while maintaining league standards.
• Monitor weather conditions leading up to and throughout matchday, coordinating with league officials, referees, Sporting, venue staff, and emergency personnel to implement weather protocols, support operational decision making, and ensure compliance with league safety procedures.
• Coordinate league mandated production and broadcast requirements, ensuring compliance with operational standards, match timelines, and broadcast deliverables while serving as the primary operational liaison between club departments and league representatives.

Team & Official Operations

• Serve as the primary operational liaison for visiting clubs, coordinating all operational communication including arrival logistics, training schedules, locker room preparation, credentialing, parking, equipment requests, and matchday requirements.
• Serve as the primary operational liaison for match officials, coordinating credentials, parking, locker room preparation, competition requirements, and post match needs.
• Manage the club's Match Day credentialing program including season credentials, single match credentials, media access, league credentials, VIP credentials, wristbands, and operational access control.

Matchday Staffing & Leadership

• Develop staffing plans, role assignments, deployment strategies, and operational staffing guides for interns, matchday staff, competition assistants, and operational liaisons.
• Develop operational procedures, training materials, and onboarding resources to ensure consistent execution across all matchday staff.
• Provide on site leadership during all home matches while directing operational staff, coordinating department leads, making operational decisions, and resolving issues in real time.
• Maintain accountability for the successful operational delivery of each home match while ensuring departmental responsibilities are completed according to established timelines and league standards.

Venue Rental Operations

• Direct the end-to-end operational lifecycle for stadium and facility rentals, managing planning through on-site execution.
• Collaborate with the Director on rental strategy initiatives, including pricing models and the identification of new revenue-driving opportunities.
• Establish scalable SOPs, staffing strategies, and delivery frameworks that ensure rental operations function as a consistent and professional revenue stream.

Operations, Systems & Leadership

• Drive the design of robust operational frameworks, creating consistent workflows, specialized tools, and standardized planning methodologies.
• Implement automation structures that minimize manual intervention while establishing clear performance accountability for all personnel and third-party partners.
• Provide comprehensive on-site leadership across the event portfolio, managing real-time execution by directing matchday staff and departmental leads.
• Uphold accountability for successful project delivery, serving as the primary authority for resolving complex operational issues and high-level decision-making.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support operational planning and execution for facility and stadium rentals as needed, ensuring venue readiness and operational standards are maintained.
• Assist the Director with operational planning for venue rental opportunities and other operational initiatives that support club revenue objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Sports Management, Business Administration, Event Management, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of progressive experience in professional soccer operations, competition operations, venue operations, or live event management.
• Experience managing complex operational projects involving multiple stakeholders and fixed deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating multiple concurrent projects in fast paced environments.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Experience developing operational documentation, project timelines, SOPs, and planning systems.
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds as needed.

Key Competencies

• Operational Project Management
• Competition Operations
• Cross Functional Coordination
• League Compliance
• Matchday Operations
• Process Improvement
• Organizational Planning
• Staff Leadership & Development
• Operational Documentation
• Decision Making Under Pressure
• Communication & Collaboration

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.