United States Tennis Association
General Manager, USA Tennis
Orlando, FL
Reports to ED/Chief Executive Officer
Links:
USTA: Our History Shapes Our Future
Copyright © 2024 United States Tennis Association – All right reserved. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or display of this copyrighted video in any format is expressly prohibited.
Copyright © 2024 United States Tennis Association – All right reserved. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or display of this copyrighted video in any format is expressly prohibited.
Background:
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is the national governing body for the sport of tennis and the leader in promoting and developing the sport’s growth on every level in the United States, from local communities to the crown jewel of the professional game, the US Open.
The USTA is a progressive and diverse not-for-profit organization whose volunteers, professional staff and financial resources support a single mission: to promote and develop the growth of tennis. The USTA is the largest tennis organization in the world, with 17 geographical sections, more than 680,000 individual members and more than 7,000 organization members, thousands of volunteers and a professional staff dedicated to growing the game.
The USTA is bolstered by key initiatives and programs. The Community Tennis Program strives to grow tennis at every level, with a goal of making the game accessible to everyone. It supports a wide range of programs designed to help people learn the game, play the game and take advantage of our sport’s many health, fitness and social benefits. The Professional Tennis program manages all aspects of the USTA’s involvement in professional sport. The USTA owns and operates the US Open – the world’s highest-attended annual sporting event – and launched the Emirates Airline US Open Series, linking seven summer tournaments to the US Open.
Leveraging diversity and creating an inclusive environment is essential to achieving the USTA mission to promote and develop the growth of tennis. The USTA is committed to removing barriers and creating opportunities for all to participate in all that we do. Furthermore, the USTA strives to serve as a model for all organizations that aspire to achieve maximum growth potential by reaching out to all of America.
The USTA Foundation, the national charitable arm of the USTA, brings together the powerful combination of tennis and education to change the lives of under-resourced youth.
Any interested candidates should contact TurnkeyZRG directly.
Contacting USTA will only delay consideration of your qualifications.
Position Summary:
The General Manager, USA Tennis provides visionary leadership and strategic direction for integrating player development and high performance, competitive pathways, and facilities within the USTA. This role champions a holistic approach to athlete support, encompassing performance optimization, well-being, and competitive success in alignment with the USTA's mission and strategic priorities: growing tennis across the United States to inspire healthier individuals and communities.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Lead team of coaches & resources (strength and conditioning, sports science, etc.) to support elite Jr., Professional, and Collegiate players.
Professional Tours and ITA relationship management development.
Holistic oversight of Jr. & Professional and collegiate competitive pathways.
Budget oversight of approximately $27M annually.
Work in partnership with private academies, coaches and tournament operators.
Select Int’l team representatives and oversee operations for ITF Jr, Davis Cup, BJK Cup, Olympics, and Paralympics.
Oversight of High-Performance Wheelchair Tennis.
Strategic Leadership:
Integrated Vision: Develop and execute a long-term strategic plan that synergizes athlete development pathways with a robust Jr. & Professional tournament calendar, creating a seamless and impactful system to advance the competitive American tennis landscape.
Performance Optimization: Oversee and enhance programs focused on the complete athlete lifecycle, from early talent identification and development to elite-level training and competitive opportunities.
World-Class Training and Center of Excellence: Maximize the utilization of the USTA's high-performance facility in Orlando and Los Angeles, fostering a vibrant hub for training, education, research, and overall athlete well-being initiatives.
Competitive Excellence: Lead and support participation and logistics in Pro Circuit events and international competitions (BJK Cup, Davis Cup, Olympics, Paralympics), ensuring athletes and teams are optimally prepared and resourced.
Operational Management:
Resource Stewardship: Oversee all staff, budgets, facility operations, and equipment resources within the combined group.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for both individual and team performance, utilizing data to drive continuous improvement and inform strategic decisions.
Policy Development & Implementation: Create and/or refine policies and procedures to ensure transparency, fairness, and consistency in athlete and coach selection, participation, and support.
National Tournament Calendar Alignment: Collaborate with the Community Tennis Division to optimize the national tournament calendar, strategically supporting the development and competitive needs of high-performance players.
Collaboration & Partnership:
Cross-Functional Alignment: Work closely with the regional Sections to extend support and opportunities for elite athletes at the regional level, fostering a cohesive national development system.
Fundraising & Philanthropy: Partner with the USTA Foundation to develop and implement fundraising strategies that support transitional tour players, training facility operations, and athlete scholarships.
External Relations: Cultivate strong relationships with other tennis leagues, federations, organizations, and the NCAA to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and collective advancement of American tennis.
Leadership & Culture:
Inspirational Leadership: Cultivate a high-performance culture that values teamwork, integrity, sportsmanship, and a commitment to excellence in both athletic and personal development.
Effective Communication: Build strong relationships and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including athletes, coaches, parents, staff, board members, sponsors, and the media.
Change Management: Navigate complex organizational dynamics and lead initiatives to drive positive change and continuous improvement across the organization.
Qualifications:
Advanced degree in Sports Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
Proven track record of leadership and success in high-performance sport or a related field.
Deep understanding of the tennis landscape, including player development pathways, competition structures, and coaching methodologies.
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
Strategic thinker with a demonstrated ability to develop and execute long-term plans.
Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets and resources.
Experience in fundraising and philanthropy is highly desirable.
Knowledge of international tennis federations and competition structures is a plus.
Passion for developing American tennis talent and a commitment to the USTA's mission.
Salary:
$500,000 - $550,000 plus annual bonus opportunity
TurnkeyZRG’S Commitment:
At TurnkeyZRG, we do not just accept differences—we celebrate and support it. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, marital or partnership status, military or veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. TurnkeyZRG is an equal opportunity employer and workplace, and we encourage applicants of all backgrounds & communities to apply.
TurnkeyZRG’S Practice Leader:
Len Perna has been the Founder, Chairman & CEO of TurnkeyZRG since the firm’s inception in 1996. Mr. Perna has 30+ years’ experience in the sports and entertainment industry, with senior level management experience in sales, event marketing and management, sponsorships, venue feasibility and development, facility operations, licensing, and legal affairs. Since founding TurnkeyZRG, Mr. Perna has successfully managed over 1,400 executive searches. He quickly established TurnkeyZRG as a leader in the space, known for its professionalism, confidentiality, and tremendous hires. Mr. Perna is an expert at understanding organizational culture, fit, and blending personalities. He regularly presents at sports awards ceremonies and speaks at industry conferences.