Sports and Recreation Program Manager, Esports Program

Job ID: 287006

Location: Kennesaw, Georgia

Full/Part Time: Full Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

About Us

Are you ready to transform lives through academic excellence, innovative research, strong community partnerships and economic opportunity? Kennesaw State University is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. With growing enrollment and global reach, we continue to expand our institutional influence and prominence beyond the state of Georgia. We offer more than 190 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to empower our 47,000 students to become thought leaders, lifelong learners, and informed global citizens. Our entrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division I athletics draw students from throughout the region and from more than 100 countries across the globe. Our university's vibrant culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability make us an employer of choice. We are part of the University System of Georgia. We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision. Come Take Flight at KSU!

Location

(Primary Location for Job Responsibilities) Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.

Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144.

Department Information

DEPARTMENT-SPECIFIC TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Creates and coordinates Kennesaw State University Esports programming that will attract participation from a broad spectrum of students, including Premier intercollegiate competition and esports events for KSU students
• Coordinates competition for Premier Teams, maintaining the current titles while planning for strategic expansion of the program
• Provides leadership and direction to the Esports team(s), ensuring effective communication and collaboration
• Develops and implements comprehensive outreach and recruitment plans for Esports Program, events, and related activities
• Establishes and oversees the funding process for club-level competition teams

DEPARTMENT-SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Able to apply time management strategies to complete tasks and responsibilities by recognized and assigned deadlines.
• Adapt effectively in situations of change to policies, procedures, work assignments, and culture.
• Strong commitment to teamwork, customer service, ethical leadership, and talent development for student staff members.
• Understanding of Esports operations, including trends, practices, associations, and platforms.
• Proficiency with streaming platforms and video-based media, including Twitch and YouTube.
• Ability to develop and implement Student Esports Program that promotes involvement and contributes to a vibrant social life, encouraging individual development, leadership skills, organizational development, and interpersonal skills.

Job Summary

The Sports and Recreation Program Manager oversees and enhances the assigned sport and/or recreation programs within our institution. This position is responsible for coordinating and managing a diverse range of sport and/or recreation activities, fostering a positive environment for student participants, and ensuring compliance with all university, department, and regulatory guidelines.

Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops assigned staff through training, experience, and feedback, to develop competencies in managing sport and/or recreation programs, emergency response, transportation, group dynamics, and more.
• Leads the ongoing planning, implementation, and evaluation of inclusive, accessible, and welcoming programs that minimize risk while focusing on fun and positive experiences for participants including virtual experiences for our online student population.
• Develop and manage budgets for sports and/or recreation programs, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.
• Participate in the development of department and program area specific strategic plans, goals, and measurable outcomes to guide and evaluate all activities
• In coordination with relevant University offices (include the legal affairs office, risk management office, human resources, and student employment offices), oversees risk management and compliance elements of all assigned areas of responsibility
• Coordinates equipment procurement, facility usage, and maintenance needs for various sports and/or recreation programs
• Develops, updates, manages, and enforces policies and procedures in areas of responsibility
• Under the guidance of the Marketing team, promotes programs with marketing mix including digital media, personal contact, posters, etc.
• Works collaboratively with other staff, administrators, and/or faculty to meet the program or department's purpose and goals

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a related field, preferably in Sports Management

Required Experience

Four (4) years related experience

Other Required Qualifications

Current, valid, and unrestricted driver's license

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Educational Qualifications

Advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a related field

Preferred Experience

Experience in higher education

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES

• Ability to work some evenings and weekends
• Able to develop professional contacts and resources that support work productivity
• Able to handle multiple tasks or projects at one-time meeting assigned deadlines

KNOWLEDGE

• Strong understanding of applicable regulations and compliance standards to include CAS and industry specific standards.
• Knowledge of esports titles associated with the KSU program (list of titles subject to change) ' League of Legends, Rocket League, Call of Duty, Counter Strike 2, Apex Legends, Fortnite, Overwatch 2, Rainbow Six Siege, Smash Ultimate, Valorant, Marvel Rivals, Smite 2
• Previous supervisory experience
• Previous experience working with NACE, NECC, and/or other esports conferences
• Premier Team management experience
• Experience with collecting data related to Esports programming, participation, and participant satisfaction

SKILLS

• Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem-solving, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management, and presentation skills
• Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite)
• Strong attention to detail and follow up skills
• Strong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community. For additional information on this policy, or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, eeo@kennesaw.edu.

Other Information

This is a supervisory position.

This position does not have any financial responsibilities.

This position will be required to drive.

This role is considered a position of trust.

This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).

This position may travel 1% - 24% of the time

Background Check

• Standard Enhanced
• Education
• DMV
• 9 Panel Lab Drug Test

Per the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for positions of trust with screening results which confirm a disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified from employment eligibility.

All applicants are required to include professional references as part of their application process. Some positions may require additional job-based screenings such as motor vehicle report, credit check, pre-employment drug screening and/or verification of academic credentials.

https://www.usg.edu/hr/assets/hr/hrap_manual/HRAP_Background_Investigation_Employment.pdf

To apply, visit https://careers.hprod.onehcm.usg.edu/psp/careers/CAREERS/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=43000&JobOpeningId=287006&PostingSeq=1