Lead event operations for 450+ nationwide sports events and help shape the future of prep athletes.
What You'll Do
You will lead the team responsible for ensuring our 450+ annual events run seamlessly from planning through execution. You'll manage a group of ~10 operations team members, driving excellence in shipping, staffing, scheduling, venue booking, and on-the-ground event delivery. Partnering closely with Finance, Sales, Marketing, and Customer Service, you'll own budgets, optimize costs, and elevate the participant experience. You'll set and track KPIs for event quality and operational efficiency, design scalable systems to support rapid growth, and proactively resolve issues before they impact our events. This role is critical to shaping the infrastructure, culture, and performance of our event operations team as we expand nationwide.
As the senior leader of event operations, you'll work directly with the executive team and play a pivotal role in building the scalable infrastructure that supports our rapid growth.
Who We Are
Prep Network (https://prepnetwork.com/) is a sports company that connects high school athletes with college coaches. Through our nine brands, we publish over 4,000 articles each month and actively scout talented athletes across the U.S. We aim to discover and promote promising prospects who aspire to play at the collegiate level.
In addition to our content, Prep Network is the top event operator in the U.S., hosting 100+ tournaments annually. We offer a combination of top-tier competitions and extensive media exposure for attending teams. Our 250+ showcases each year provide a platform for over 10,000+ prospects to compete in front of colleges, scouts, and media outlets.
We're pumped to have been named one of the "Best Places to Work" by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal (https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/c/meet-our-2024-best-places-to-work-honorees/26867/best-places-to-work-prep-network.html) for four years running, and to land a spot on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies. Prep Network isn't your average sports company-we're all about helping student-athletes succeed and creating an awesome workplace.
Core Responsibilities
Lead & Inspire. Manage and develop a team of ~10 event operations specialists, building a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Drive Operational Excellence. Oversee scheduling and logistics for 140+ tournaments and 250+ showcases, ensuring seamless execution nationwide.
Own Budgets & Efficiency . Partner with Finance to manage budgets, control expenses, and implement cost-optimization strategies.
Elevate Event Quality. Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, and Customer Service while establishing KPIs to track event quality, readiness, staffing efficiency, and participant satisfaction.
Scale for Growth. Create and refine systems and processes that proactively resolve issues and support the organization's expanding event footprint.
Must-Haves in a Candidate
Experience: 7+ years in event operations, logistics, or large-scale program management (sports or live events preferred).
Team Leadership: Proven success managing, mentoring, and developing teams; ability to set expectations and build accountability.
Logistics: Experience with a geographically diverse event profile, responsible for the coordination of shipping, staffing, and operations
Operational Skills: Strong organizational and process-building skills; capable of creating scalable systems in high-volume environments.
Financial Acumen: Hands-on experience with budget ownership and expense controls.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Excellent communication and partnership skills across Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, and external vendors.
Decision-Making Under Pressure: Ability to anticipate and mitigate risks (venue conflicts, staffing shortages, shipping errors) while thriving in high-stakes environments.
Travel: Willingness to travel up to 10% for onsite event support.
Nice-to-Haves in a Candidate
Industry Depth: Direct experience in sports tournaments, showcases, or comparable live event industries.
Scalability Mindset: Track record of building repeatable, efficient processes that support rapid organizational growth.
Metrics & KPIs: Familiarity with establishing and measuring KPIs (NPS, staffing efficiency, cost optimization).
Change Agent: Demonstrated ability to drive continuous improvement in logistics, scheduling, and team workflows.
Strategic Connector: Experience serving as the hub between strategy and execution - aligning leadership vision with on-the-ground delivery.
Work Eligibility
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship. Only U.S. citizens will be considered for this role at this time.
Benefits and Perks
At Prep Network, we take pride in our culture and commitment to creating an exceptional workplace environment. Here are some of the benefits and perks you can expect when you join our team:
Impact at Scale. Your work directly shapes the experience of thousands of athletes and coaches each year, making this more than just an operations role.
Remote Flexibility. Enjoy the ability to work remotely while staying connected with a collaborative team, giving you the freedom to balance focus time at home with travel to events as needed.
Vibrant Culture . Prep Network has been recognized as one of the Best Places to Work for four years running, thanks to our vibrant and inclusive culture. We're passionate about bringing on board curious, self-motivated individuals who work hard and genuinely enjoy their work.
Autonomy. We trust our team members to excel in their roles. Rather than micromanaging, we provide you with the tools and processes needed for success, allowing you the freedom to bring your role to life and make a meaningful impact.
Professional Growth. We prioritize your professional development. We actively support and encourage you to invest in your personal and professional growth.
Comprehensive Benefits. Prep Network offers a range of benefits designed to support your overall well-being. These include comprehensive health benefits, a 401(k) plan with Safe Harbor matching, long-term disability coverage, Basic Life Insurance, and a flexible work schedule that promotes work-life balance.
Competitive Compensation. The base salary for this position ranges from $90,000 to $100,000, with an additional incentive bonus.
Join us at Prep Network and be part of a dynamic team that values your individuality, fosters personal growth, and offers a diverse range of benefits to enhance your professional and personal life. Discover a workplace where you can thrive, learn, and make a meaningful impact on our journey together.
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