Sports Management Jobs in the United States

Sports Management Jobs Overview

A sports team is more than just the players on the field, court, or rink. There's a team dedicated to business, finance, and marketing behind every game. Sports managers are an important part of this team who are responsible for everything that happens off the field, such as business contracts and promotions. Sports management jobs are ideal for people with some business savvy and a love of the game.

In a sports management position, you'll work with coaches and trainers to ensure that athletes have the necessary training resources. Other day-to-day duties might include budgeting costs and salaries, tracking revenue, and coordinating interviews and media press conferences. Some sports managers also organize sports leagues and clubs and manage operations at fitness facilities. Sports management positions aren't just limited to the business side. For example, if you have a degree in sports management, you may work as an athletic coach, athletic development specialist, or athletic director.

If you're looking for sports jobs, you can also try clicking on these positions:

• athletic director jobs
• coach jobs
• sports marketing jobs
• sports psychologist jobs

Sports Manager Education and Skills

Before you can land an entry-level sports management job, you need at least a bachelor's degree in sports management, public relations, marketing, finance, business, or a related field. Having some experience with an internship or volunteering for your college's athletic department can boost your employability in your field. While not always required, master's degrees are preferred for athletic director positions. Advanced sports management positions such as sports team managers or executive producers at a sports network usually require a master's degree.

The skills and qualities employers look for when hiring sports managers include:

• The ability to work in a face-paced environment.
• Knowledge of finance, budgeting, and overall efficiency of funds.
• The ability to organize schedules, salaries, reports, media requests, meetings, and sports events.
• Effective communication, listening, and cooperation skills.
• The ability to analyze and solve problems.
• The ability to effectively keep track of ticket sales.
• Strong leadership skills.

See Monster's athletic director job description sample for a more thorough view of what to expect.

Update Your Sports Manager Resume

Like sports themselves, sport management positions can get competitive. Make sure you update your resume so that it's easy to read, error free, and showcases your skills and credentials. Get an idea of how to write and format your resume by referring to Monster's samples and writing tips and tricks. Many sports management positions also require you to submit a cover letter when you apply. A winning cover letter gives potential employers a brief introduction to your background, your credentials, and why you're interested in the job. Get it right the first time by using our cover letter samples and writing best practices as a guide.

Interviewing for a Sports Management Job

A job interview is a critical part of the hiring process. This is when potential employers take the time to get to know you better and to see whether you'll fit in as part of their team. While it's common for job seekers to feel nervous before an interview, Monster can help. See our list of commonly asked interview questions to prepare yourself. You may encounter questions such as:

• What is your management style?
• What is your background in sports management?
• Tell us about your strengths and weaknesses.
• Why do you want to work in sports management?

How Much Do Sports Management Jobs Pay?

Excited for an employer to show you the money? Here's what you might earn in sports management: According to Monster's salary data, college athletic directors earn a median annual salary of $60,531. School athletic directors earn an average of $58,588 per year. You can enter your own job title, city, and state into Monster's Salary Calculator to get a more accurate estimate.

Create Your Monster Profile to Start Your Sports Management Job Search

Ready to get a running start on sports management jobs? Now's the time to set up your Monster profile for free. When you sign up, we'll keep you updated on new sports management positions with free, custom job alerts. We'll also make it easier for recruiters in your field to find you.