Senior Manager, Delegation & Sport Services

Position Title: Senior Manager, Delegation & Sport Services

Department: Sport

Reports to: Vice President, Sports Special Olympics North America

Location: Washington, D.C. or Remote USA

Salary Range for US Based Staff: $72,675 - $85,500

FLSA Status: Exempt

Organization Overview:

Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health, and leadership. With nearly four million athletes and Unified Sports® partners and one million coaches and volunteers in more than 170 countries, Special Olympics delivers more than 30 Olympic-type sports and nearly 50,000 games and competitions every year. Learn more at SpecialOlympics.org. 

Position Description:

The Senior Manager of Delegation & Sports Services leads preparation and delegation services for the Special Olympics USA National Team (SO USA) and coordinates North American Programs’ participation in World Games and global sport events. The role strengthens sport development across North America, leads MATP development within SONA, serves as liaison to designated Sport Resource Teams, and supports USA Games planning and organization.

Essential Functions:

Lead all aspects of the Special Olympics USA National Team (SO USA) for global events, including World Games, the Unified Cup, and similar competitions. Responsibilities include:

• Develop a long-term vision and sustainable structure for SO USA that supports athlete success across Games cycles.
• Oversee the selection of delegation leadership, including the Head of Delegation and roles in communications/PR, medical services, sport management, and special events.
• Develop and manage delegation member selection, including quota requests and allocations.
• Collaborate with the SONA Budget Officer to develop annual budgets, manage monthly budget reports, and track revenue.
• Lead the SO USA Management Team in all aspects of delegation preparation, logistics, and operations, including team trials, registration, travel and transportation, housing, apparel and uniforms, equipment, warehousing, fundraising, partnership development, honored guest activities, family engagement, and other established delegation functions.
• Collaborate with external partners to enhance the athlete experience and reduce financial demands on Programs.
• Manage meetings, conferences, events, and training supporting SO USA and Program participation in competitions at the World or Global level.

Create and maintain communication with all North American Programs regarding World Games and other above Program level events. Responsibilities include:

• Oversee North America athlete quota request and distribution process.
• Oversee North America selection criteria.
• Serve as liaison to Local Organizing Committees as well as Special Olympics Sports department for all World Games/ and Global competition related issues.
• Oversee information sharing and dissemination, timelines and deadlines, registration process, travel requirements, information gathering, etc.
• Appoint and collaborate with one or two North American Global Registration Team (GRT) members, or serve as the regional GRT representative, based on event needs and delegation leadership responsibilities.
• Collaborate with SOI Sports & Competition, Government Relations, Legal, and other departments as needed to ensure a successful delegation experience.

Provide support and resources to all Programs within the SONA Region. Responsibilities include:

• Oversee the development of MATP within North America.
• Oversee the administrative coordination of determined USLC Sports subcommittees and Sport Resource Teams.
• Oversee and manage Monthly calls for SONA Sports Program staff.

Other responsibilities include:

• Assist with the planning and implementation of USA Games with a focus on Project Management and transfer of knowledge.
• Assist in developing technical and event management resources to improve the quality of events for SONA Programs.
• Assist with the development of infrastructures, partnerships and implement strategies that promote and grow assigned sports.
• Assist with planning and delivery of regional events and training opportunities as needed.

Prerequisites for Success

• Demonstrable Project Management experience. Preference to candidates with Smartsheet or similar project management software experience.

• A bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience plus Five to Seven years of relevant work experience. 

• Experience managing dynamic budgets and financial reporting.
• Special Olympics experience or similar non-profit.
• Delegation leadership at National, Regional or World Competition preferred.
• Experience in event planning with expertise in team building, planning, budgeting, and fund raising and sponsorship.
• Excellent computer, public speaking, and presentation skills.
• Excellent time management and leadership skills, ability to handle multiple tasks.
• Proven leadership working with volunteers in key leadership roles.
• Willingness and ability to travel independently.

*For USA based staff: Special Olympics offers full-time employees a generous and comprehensive benefits package, which includes: medical, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life insurance, disability, retirement, legal resources, and PTO

Special Olympics provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. 

**Special Olympics is an E-Verify Employer**