TITLE: Participant Development Manager
POSITION TYPE: Full Time, Exempt
COMPANY: Sharks Sports and Entertainment, LLC
LOCATION: Oakland, CA
REPORTS TO: General Manager, Sharks Ice Oakland
POSTING DATED: October 7, 2025
Pay Rate: The pay rate for this role is $70,600per year
Actual base pay will be determined based on permissible factors such as transferable skills, work experience, market demands and primary work location. The base pay range provided is subject to change and may be modified in the future.
Position Overview
The Participant Development Manager’s role is to search and secure new business in all areas as it relates to Oakland Ice Center, and promote grass roots ice sports in companies, communities and schools throughout the East Bay. The Participant Development Manager works closely with the Oakland Ice Center management team and the Sharks Ice Participant Development Manager to create awareness and develop programs that nurture existing and new grass roots initiatives at the Oakland Ice Center.
Essential Responsibilities
- Administer all aspects of the grass roots “Free Use” program for the City of Oakland to maximize attendance and facility utilization and ensure full compliance with management contract terms.
- Administer all aspects of the community donation requests in a manner that grows the reach of Sharks Ice participation.
- Sell and manage individual ice rentals including:
- Corporate and group events for team building and parties
- Private curling events
- Broomball bookings
- Adult hockey team practices
- Private skating events
- Other customized one-time activities
- Coordinate catering and other peripheral details for all bookings, promoting Food & Beverage and Merchandise sales at all times.
- Oversee the Oakland Ice Center Birthday Party Program, including:
- Recruitment, training and oversight of a Party Coordinator and a staff of Party Captains to ensure excellent presentation of our Birthday Party Programs and a high-quality experience for each group.
- Development and implementation of strategies to turn birthday party guests into participants in our ongoing programs.
- Propose and manage additional sales opportunities, such as rink boards.
- Create awareness of the San Jose Sharks to local communities.
- Responsible for day to day content and management of website, Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets for the Oakland Ice Center.
- Develop advertising, posters, flyers, banners, brochures and announcements and assure that they are implemented for sales programs.
- Solicit and participate in internal and external sales promotions.
- Evaluate programs to determine their effectiveness and propose/implement changes to ensure continuous improvement, using performance vs. plan as a tool for staff development, program enhancement and profitability.
- Act as the Manager on Duty as needed from time to time.
- Assist in ensuring all policies and procedures are properly implemented and followed.
- Know emergency procedures for facility and guests.
- Perform additional responsibilities as required.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university in business, communications, marketing or prior sales experience.
- Prior supervisory experience preferred.
- Outstanding interactive skills that will support the organization’s efforts to develop an acclaimed and productive community ice rink facility and instructional/developmental program.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Ability to work independently.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong team orientation, with ability to work well with youth and adults including parents and co-workers.
- Project a friendly, outgoing personality and enjoy being with people.
- Exhibit Company core values.
- It is imperative that you have the ability to work independently without supervision, be self-directed and demonstrate initiative.
- Exhibit good judgment and decision-making skills, as well as ability to manage your own time and implement your own schedule
Physical Requirements
- This position requires flexibility to work across all three Sharks Ice facilities, with location varying based on scheduling needs
- Ability to sit, stand and utilize a computer for extended periods of time
- Communicate via phone and email with a variety of individuals
- Ability to bend at the waist, reach overhead and lift up to 15 lbs with or without accommodation
- Physically navigate stairs and catwalks at SSE facilities during normal work hours and events with or without accommodation
- Ability to work occasional extended hours including nights, weekends, holidays (all with advance notice)
- Will be required to travel to all company locations
- May be required to attend conferences, events, and training sessions within Bay Area or in- or out-of-state locations.
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation (base salary and variable incentive plan)
- Medical/Dental/Vision/Flexible Spending Accounts (all LGBTQ+ friendly)
- Pretax Transportation Benefit
- 401K (pre-tax and Roth options)
- Generous Paid Time Off Policy
- Minimum of 10 Paid Holidays and Wellness Days per year
- Complimentary or discounted sports and concert tickets
- Other League & partner discounts
- Central office location with convenient access to Caltrain, VTA, major freeways and free parking
- An inclusive culture which values diversity of background and a passion to improve our SSE’s commitment to change with impact on our community and industry
- Potential for flexible scheduling and telework opportunities
This position is not eligible for U.S. work authorization sponsorship.
Summary:
Born in 1991, Sharks Sports and Entertainment (“SSE”) has grown into a multi-faceted organization that includes the SAP Center, the NHL San Jose Sharks, the AHL San Jose Barracuda, the Tech CU Arena, three Sharks Ice facilities, and the non-profit Sharks Foundation. Additionally, we are growing our organization through expansion in the Bay Area and surrounding communities in Northern California.
We work and play in the Bay Area, and are deeply influenced by the technology, innovation, diversity, and commitment to excellence that surrounds us. Our culture is transforming to reflect those values, with an eye towards a pioneering, forward-thinking, and inclusive environment in sports and entertainment.
We live, work, and innovate by a set of Pioneering Principles:
T – Team success is more important than individual success
E – Exceptional experience is non-negotiable in everything we do
A – Appreciate others for their diversity and opinions
M – More risk leads to more rewards and expands our comfort zones
T – Trust that all teammates have the best intentions
E – Empower all teammates to make informed decisions
A – Always say what you really mean and do what you say
L – Lead by showing the respect to others you expect from them
We strive to unite people through a shared love of ice sports, entertainment, and our hometown. We are #TealTogether.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
Here at Team Teal, we recognize and celebrate that individuals come with a wealth of experience and talent well beyond any list of required skills and qualifications – in fact, we believe diversity of backgrounds and skills, combined with passion, are the most important keys to meaningful innovation and excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require accommodations during the interview process.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Sharks Sports and Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, medical condition as defined by state law (genetic characteristics or cancer), physical or mental disability, military service or veterans’ status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.
Notice to Recruiters and Agencies
SSE recruit’s candidates directly, rather than through third-party recruiters or agencies. Under no circumstances will SSE pay a fee for candidates submitted or presented without a signed recruitment agreement in place between SSE and the recruiter or agency prior to the submittal; any submittal must be for requisition specifically and individually assigned in writing by SSE’s HR department. In the case of candidate(s) submitted or presented to SSE by a recruiter or agency without a signed agreement AND written assignment by SSE Human Resources, SSE explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) with no financial obligation to the recruiter or agency.
