Academy & Events Manager

The Academy & Events Manager will be responsible for building and managing Selkirk’s initiatives. This role is pivotal in three core areas:

1. Academy Development - Building and managing Selkirk’s pickleball academies to train players at all levels, including organizing demo days, clinics and local/regional tournaments.
2. Sponsorship & Partnerships - Negotiating and executing sponsorships with athletes, partners, venues and events to amplify Selkirk’s brand.
3. Sparta Program - Identifying, nurturing and sponsoring Asia’s next generation of pro pickleball athletes through training and competition opportunities.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Academy Development & Management

• Launch and oversee Selkirk Pickleball Academies across Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam.
• Develop and manage training programs for all skill levels (beginners to elite athletes).
• Recruit and manage coaches, staff and local ambassadors.
• Collaborate with schools, clubs, associations and community centers to expand academy reach.

2. Sponsorships, Partner & Event Management

• Plan and execute local/regional tournaments, demo days, and events.
• Review and negotiate sponsorship proposals, ensuring alignment with Selkirk’s brand and legal guidelines.
• Liaise with venue owners, vendors, associations and local governments to secure partnerships and permits.
• Oversee logistics, including venue bookings, registrations and sponsor activations.
• Work with athletes, influencers, and marketing teams to promote events and spotlight Sparta athletes.

3. Sparta Program & Athlete Sponsorships

• Lead the Sparta Program in Asia, scouting and developing elite athletes for professional pickleball.
• Negotiate and manage sponsorship agreements (financial support, gear, travel, competition fees).
• Prepare performance assessments, data-driven reports and athlete development plans.
• Coordinate logistics and global competition opportunities for Sparta athletes.

4. Community & Business Growth

• Build relationships with local sports organizations, schools, and government bodies to promote pickleball.
• Work with the marketing team to create campaigns for academies and events.
• Track KPIs (participation rates, academy growth, event attendance) and optimize strategies.
• Prepare post-event reports covering metrics, budgets, and improvement plans.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Business, Marketing, Events or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in academy management, event planning, or sports development (racquet sports, fitness, or similar industries preferred).
• Strong project management skills -ability to organize multiple events and programs simultaneously.
• Passion for sports and athlete development; pickleball experience is a big plus.
• Data-driven mindset - comfortable using performance analytics tools (Sparta tech, sports tracking software).
• Excellent communication skills in English; proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese, Tagalog, or Vietnamese is a plus.
• Willingness to travel across Asia for events and academy operations.