Sr. Manager - Athlete Experience

Named one of Sports Business Journal's Best Places to Work in Sports (2024), Front Office Sports' Most Impactful Sports Organizations (2024), and Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies (2023), Athletes Unlimited owns and operates professional women’s softball, volleyball, and basketball leagues featuring world-class competition and fan experience. Athletes Unlimited stands out as an organization driven by the athletes that play in the leagues, with athlete representation on the company’s board of directors, each league led by a Player Executive Committee, and players sharing in long-term profits of the company, all while being proactive in shaping policies supporting the women that play in the league. Athletes Unlimited is the first professional sports league to be organized as a Public Benefit Corporation. For more information, visit AUProSports.com.

We provide our team of enthusiastic, collaborative innovators a next-generation workplace with unlimited PTO, competitive health insurance, professional development opportunities, and more so that we can build the future of professional sports. Are you Unlimited?

Athletes Unlimited is looking for a Senior Manager, Athlete Experience to oversee all facets of athlete and coach logistics for Athletes Unlimited. The role works as part of a highly collaborative team to support end-to-end athlete experience and logistics across multiple sports and seasons.  The Senior Manager will lead a team of four direct reports, build systems, guide operations staff, and ensure a seamless delivery of end-to-end logistics and memorable experiences for athletes, coaches, staff, and families. This role is full-time, fully remote with travel to our markets, and reports to the Senior Director, Sports Operations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead end-to-end onboarding processes for athletes and staff: roster management, Teamworks profiles, and form creation, assignment, and management
• Serve as league lead for Teamworks and TravelPerk administration, evaluating optimization, ensuring accuracy and compliance, and being the administrative POC with rental car partner
• Guide end-to-end orientation programming, oversee production of staff guides and communications, procure and distribute the Welcome Kit, and organize and execute Media Day, being mindful of various departmental needs
• Maintain and manage the Master Season Calendar for scheduling alignment
• Supervise and mentor 1 Coordinator, Sport Operations and 2 Team Operations Managers (seasonal or FT), setting structure, accountability, and service standards
• Act as the primary POC for all athlete, coach, staff, and official needs, while leading a team responsible for delivering comprehensive, end-to-end concierge support
• Oversee and assist with comprehensive and diverse travel needs for athletes, coaches, talent, officials, etc., as well as ensure family needs are supported both pre-arrival and in market
• Assist with group travel coordination for events and league activities (Welcome Week, announcement photoshoots, player appearances, etc.) 
• Partner across departments and lead planning and execution of athlete-centered, brand-programming (Impact Programming, Culture and Community Programming, etc.) and support the Sr. Manager of Team Operations for AUSL & ASC in the off season 
• Oversee and execute athlete appearance process 
• Ensure delivery of athlete lounge operations, locker room snacks, and game-day meals for athletes and staff
• Provide on and off site leadership and support ensuring seamless delivery of arrivals, events, game days, and athlete support
• Assist with troubleshooting live operational challenges and ensure VIP, athlete, and staff experiences meet AU’s high standards of care, innovation, and people-first service

• 5-7 years of progressive experience in team operations, league operations, or event logistics, ideally within professional or collegiate sports. 1-3 years as a manager is a plus
• Knowledge of softball, basketball, and/or volleyball operations and culture is ideal
• Passion for women’s sports and mission-driven, player-centric innovation
• Prior experience working in sports, live events with diverse logistics or high pressure support roles 
• Proven leadership building skills to nurture high-performing, collaborative teams
• Operate through an empathetic lens to help meet needs of teams, colleagues, and athletes 
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills
• Expertise in travel coordination, event operations, and logistics planning
• Familiarity with operations platforms (e.g., Teamworks, TravelPerk) and standard business tools (Google Suite) is preferred 
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, and non-traditional hours when in season
• Travel to market during seasons and event support (approximately 30% of the time)
• Legal authorization to work in the United States

This role is full-time, remote and is compensated at $69,000-$79,000 annually. While this is the intended range, the actual compensation may vary based on several factors including but not limited to qualifications, skills, and geographic location of the position. We anticipate the highest end of the range will be reserved for those who exceed the hiring committee’s expectations on all measures of the evaluation process. In addition, Athletes Unlimited is proud to offer comprehensive benefits and perks to all of our full-time employees, including:

• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance plans
• 401(k) plan with generous company match
• Paid parental leave
• Wellness and Development benefit
• Caregiving benefit
• Unlimited paid time off alongside company holidays

OUR DEI STATEMENT

As a company, we share a vision to change the world for the better and believe in the power of sports to tear down barriers. We will Be Unlimited in our pursuit to intentionally create an environment where every individual can be their authentic self.

Research shows that women, trans, non-binary folks, and BIPOC are less likely to apply for a job unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications. We strongly encourage you to apply even if your background is non-traditional or you might not meet every one of the qualifications described.

Athletes Unlimited is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in its hiring process based on race, religion, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender expression, pregnancy status, parental status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.