Position Overview: The PPA Tour is seeking a highly organized, meticulous, and service-oriented Pro Player Liaison to be the primary point of contact and support for our professional athletes. This pivotal role ensures a seamless experience for top players from pre-tournament preparation through on-site event execution. The Pro Player Liaison will manage crucial player data, facilitate event registrations, and provide essential on-site coordination, contributing directly to the professionalism and success of every PPA Tour event. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual with a passion for pickleball to directly impact the lives of professional athletes in a rapidly expanding sport.
Key Responsibilities:
Athlete Information & Content Management:
- Meticulously collect, update, and organize comprehensive athlete information for ppatour.com and pickleball.com.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date biographical profiles for all professional pickleball players.
- Update player sponsorship affiliations across various internal and external websites.
- Source, manage, and organize high-quality photographic assets, ensuring their availability for website and promotional use.
- Manage and track athlete participation records for clinics and special events.
Player Event Registration & Recruitment:
- Oversee and facilitate the efficient registration process for all PPA Tour tournaments for professional players.
- Collaborate proactively with the sponsorship and tournament operations teams to secure professional pickleball players for events and clinics.
- Manage and verify registration data, ensuring accurate participant lists and clear communication.
- Provide essential on-site registration support as needed.
On-Site Event Coordination & Support:
- Requires willingness to travel extensively to pickleball tournaments to provide direct assistance and support to professional players on-site.
- Coordinate closely with the tour operations team on the strategic set-up and efficient tear-down of pro courts, the dedicated pro player lounge, and the overall tournament infrastructure.
- Work in conjunction with tournament operations to meticulously plan and manage the daily schedule of play for each day of the tournament.
- Liaise effectively with the broadcast team to communicate player matchups, specific court assignments, and broadcast times, ensuring smooth live coverage.
- When required, provide direct assistance to professional athletes, including guiding them through crowded locations.
Inter-Departmental Collaboration:
- Communicate proactively with various PPA staff regarding player logistics, event requirements, and general inquiries, fostering a collaborative environment.
- Assist with the strategic planning and implementation of new ideas and operational changes that enhance the pro player experience and overall tournament flow.
Professional Development Opportunities:
- Industry Insight: Gain firsthand experience and a deep understanding of the inner workings of a dynamic and rapidly growing professional sports league.
- Website Management: Contribute to the ongoing maintenance and improvement of the PPA's official website and digital platforms, enhancing your digital content management skills.
- Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Interact and collaborate extensively with various departments within the PPA, including marketing, communications, events, and athlete relations, broadening your professional network.
- Networking Opportunities: Build meaningful relationships and expand your professional network within the professional pickleball community, including athletes, coaches, agents, and industry leaders.
- Skill Development: Continuously enhance your organizational, communication, problem-solving, and time management skills in a fast-paced, high-stakes sports event environment.
Qualifications:
- Passion for Pickleball: A genuine, demonstrable interest in the sport of pickleball and a keen understanding of the professional pickleball landscape.
- Strong Organizational Skills: Exceptional ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, prioritize deadlines effectively, and maintain meticulous and accurate records in a dynamic setting.
- Excellent Communication Skills: Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally, diplomatically, and effectively with high-profile athletes, sponsors, and internal staff.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is required for data management, reporting, and presentations.
- Self-Starter & Proactive: Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, and anticipate needs with minimal supervision.
- Team Player: A strong willingness to collaborate, support colleagues, and contribute positively to a team-oriented, high-performance work environment.
- Travel Availability: Ability and willingness to travel extensively to various tournament locations across the United States, including weekends and holidays, as dictated by the PPA Tour schedule