ATHLETIC GROUNDS SME - REMOTE

Compass Group•REMOTE, NC

4d•$90,000 - $100,000•Remote

About The Position

SSC Services for Education is a Nationwide Best in Class Facility Service Provider. As a member of Compass Group, North America, we want you to be as great as you can be. We empower our associates to direct their own future, keeping them confident that we support them every step of the way. As a result, our associates embody greatness through their actions, natural passion for quality, and a can-do attitude. The opportunity for greatness is real at SSC and throughout the Compass world. This position is eligible for an Employee Referral Bonus! If you know someone that is qualified for this role, please use the ‘job search’ in PeopleHub to refer your referral and email them a link to apply. Your referral will be able to apply by clicking the link in the email. You can check the status through your profile, accessible via Careers in PeopleHub, by clicking on ‘referral tracking.’ For Employee Referral guidelines, FAQs and the Compass Employee Referral Policy, email [email protected]. Job SummaryThe Athletics Grounds Subject Matter Expert leads SSC’s nationwide athletic grounds program, setting the standard for excellence across collegiate and K-12 sports facilities. This role partners with sports field managers across the portfolio, builds strong relationships with athletic directors and clients, and supports business growth and retention. As a visible industry leader, the SME represents SSC at the highest levels while driving innovation in natural grass and synthetic surfaces through expertise and influence.

Requirements

15+ years of athletic field management experience across collegiate, professional, large K-12, municipal, or similar environments; NCAA Division I experience strongly preferred.
Bachelor’s degree in Turfgrass Science, Agronomy, Horticulture, Sports Turf Management, or related field.
Certified Sports Field Manager (CSFM) required; Certified Grounds Manager (CGM) preferred.
Demonstrated expertise with both natural grass and synthetic athletic surfaces across football, soccer, baseball, softball, lacrosse, field hockey, rugby, and multi-use fields.
Deep technical knowledge of athletic field agronomy, turfgrass physiology, soil science, fertility, irrigation, compaction relief, pest and disease management, overseeding, renovation, topdressing, infield skin management, synthetic turf maintenance, and field safety testing.
Project management experience including planning, coordination, budgeting, and execution.
Strong communication skills with the ability to present to executives, athletic directors, coaches, and operations teams.
Proficient in Microsoft Office and CMMS platforms; familiar with field assessment, reporting, and project tracking tools.
Valid driver's license, ensuring safe operation of company vehicles in accordance with traffic laws and conditions.
Remote position requiring 80% travel to client sites

Responsibilities

Act as SSC’s national expert on athletic grounds, including natural and synthetic surfaces, agronomy, safety, and field performance.
Lead the development and continuous improvement of athletic field programs across all major sports and high-use turf environments.
Provide hands-on technical support through site visits, remote guidance, renovation planning, and leadership coaching.
Train and develop field managers and teams on best practices in safety, preparation, turf care, and maintenance techniques.
Conduct site assessments and QA audits; translate findings into clear, actionable improvement plans.
Design site-specific agronomic programs covering maintenance, renovation, field prep, and recovery cycles.
Build strong relationships with athletic directors, coaches, and stakeholders to align field performance with schedules and safety standards.
Support new site startups with planning, training, budgeting, compliance, and maintenance program setup.
Partner with the sales teams to support proposals, finalist presentations, client retention, RFP responses, and business development efforts.
Perform GMAX testing and field safety evaluations nationwide.
Represent SSC as an industry leader through conferences, publications, and professional associations.
Develop tools, templates, and resources to standardize and elevate field management practices.
Review project plans and specifications; support project execution and serve as an owner’s representative when needed.
Step into leadership roles (Unit Director/Operations Manager) as needed and support additional operations priorities.