What does it take to become a sports manager?

Contents

So, what profile do you need to become a sports manager?

In a nutshell:

The ideal profile: passionate about sport, with a sense of leadership and great versatility.
Key tasks: managing teams, organising events, relations with partners and monitoring budgets.
The necessary training: Bachelor’s degree in sport business or Master’s degree in sports management, available at INSEEC.
Salary: between €18,000 and €45,000 gross per year, depending on experience and structure.

Definition

What does a sports manager do?

Sports managers play a central role in the management and development of a sports organisation. Their tasks are varied and strategic, touching on areas such as communication, logistics, finance and public relations. Here are some concrete examples of their responsibilities:

1. Promoting the image of the club or organisation

Develop a communications strategy to raise the club’s profile, for example through social networking campaigns or partnerships with sports influencers.
Organise press conferences before major competitions, such as a Ligue 1 match or a regional tournament.
Oversee the creation of multimedia content (videos, interviews) to engage fans and attract new sponsors.

2. Sports event management

Plan events such as tournaments, marathons and gala matches, coordinating logistics teams, suppliers and volunteers.
Guarantee the safety of spectators and participants by complying with regulatory standards.
Drawing up a detailed budget for the event and ensuring its financial monitoring, in collaboration with sponsors and partners.

3. Administrative monitoring of activities

Manage player and coach contracts, including renewals and negotiations.
Supervising team and athlete registrations for official competitions.
Complying with regulatory requirements for sports facilities, in liaison with local authorities and federations.

4. Relations with partners and sponsors

Identify potential new sponsors and negotiate partnership agreements to fund the club’s activities.
Build loyalty among existing partners by offering them brand activations at events (stands, advertising on shirts, visibility on social networks).
Organise VIP meetings with sponsors during matches or competitions to strengthen commercial relations.

5. Resource management

Planning the maintenance and renewal of sports equipment, in conjunction with specialist suppliers such as Decathlon and Adidas.
Manage sports infrastructure schedules (pitches, training rooms) to optimise their use.
Train the technical and administrative teams to ensure efficient organisation in line with the club’s objectives.

These missions show that the sports manager is a key player, at the crossroads between strategy, organisation and communication. By combining a passion for sport with management skills, they play a decisive role in the success of the organisations they manage.

Profile

What kind of student wants to become a sports manager?

The profile of a student wishing to become a sports manager is that of an ambitious student with a keen interest in the field of sport and related sectors. Are you wondering whether you have what it takes to become a sports manager in the future?

The ideal profile:

Passionate about sport: in-depth knowledge of the sector is a major asset.
Versatile: ready to handle a wide range of assignments, from strategy to communication.
Ambitious: determined to progress in a position of responsibility.
Motivated by apprenticeship: ready to follow specialised training, ideally up to Masters level.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be a top athlete to become a sports manager. A passion for sport, combined with management and leadership skills, is enough to succeed in this field.

Training

What training do you need to become a sports manager?

To enter this profession, it is advisable to take a course in sports management.

Key steps :

Bachelor’s degree (bac +3): ideal for acquiring a solid grounding in management, marketing and communication.
Master’s degree (bac +5): for further specialisation and access to positions of responsibility.

Options at INSEEC :

Bachelor sport business: a comprehensive course to launch a career in sports management, with a choice of specialisations:
a Bachelor’s degree in sport business – ski studies;
a Bachelor’s degree in sport business – sport studies.

Would you like to go on to do a Master’s degree? We offer the following options, among others:

MSc Sport Marketing and Management: an advanced programme for mastering management and marketing strategies in sport.
MSc Marketing and Management of Outdoor Sports: focusing on outdoor sports, ideal for those wishing to develop their career in this specific field.

Qualities

What are the essential qualities of a sports manager?

A successful sports manager needs the right profile:

Great organisational skills: to manage the various tasks effectively.
Leadership skills: to motivate and coordinate teams.
Analytical skills: prioritising tasks and solving problems quickly.
Attention to detail: to guarantee the quality of our services.
Negotiating skills: essential for managing relations with partners and sponsors.

Salary

How much does a sports manager earn?

A sports manager’s salary depends on a number of factors, including experience, the size of the organisation and the results achieved.

Early career: between €18,000 and €25,000 gross per year, often in associations or small clubs.
Proven experience: between €35,000 and €45,000 gross per year, in medium-sized clubs or sports federations.
Positions in large organisations: for well-known clubs or international organisations, the salary can exceed €50,000 gross per year.

Are you desperate to become a sports manager ? Then chooseINSEEC. We have several programmes available to train you.

Visit our website to find out more about them and the content of the courses we offer. Consult our FAQs if you need help.