Director of Marketing and Fan Engagement

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

Job Information:

Title:

Director of Marketing and Fan Engagement

Classification Title:

5004 - Marketing Associate

Job Location or Region:

Urbana-Champaign - 133

Job Description Reason:

Vacancy

Appointment Type:

Permanent

Position Number:

UC6971

Position Class Code:

5004A-MARKETING ASSOC (LU)

Employee Group:

C - Civil Service Web/Dpt Tm Entry

COA:

1 - Urbana

Organization Code:

336000

Organization Name:

Intercollegiate Athletics

College/Administrative Unit:

NU-Div Intercollegiate Athletics

HR Information:

Full Time Equivalent (FTE):

1

Is this position Security Sensitive?

Is this a Protection of Minors position?

Purchasing Authority of $5,000 or more?

Supervisory Authority of 20 or more?

Organizational Relationship:

Chancellor,

Director of Athletics,

Chief Commercial Officer,

Senior Associate Director,

Asst. AD Marketing and Fan Engagement

PRIMARY POSITION FUNCTION/SUMMARY

Generate revenue and attendance for Illinois Athletics while building and protecting the Illinois Athletics brand. Create opportunities through events and engagement to build the Fighting Illini fan base.

•

Strategic Marketing and Advertising –

o Serve as day-to-day marketing and fan engagement contact with three sports at the University of Illinois, one of which is a ticketed sport

o Oversee all advertising and messaging strategy for sales of tickets and attendance growth for respective ticketed sports

o Lead digital advertising strategy and execution for each sport including email marketing, marketing automation, mass texting, and mobile application

o Guide paid traditional and digital advertising strategy and execution for assigned ticketed sport

o Direct the development and planning for comprehensive external plans to maximize revenue generation and attendance for each assigned sport

o Serve as secondary contact for Football marketing efforts and lead the execution of in-game presentations and recognitions on-field.

50%

•

Fan Engagement –

o Oversee all aspects of in-game presentation and gameday promotions for assigned sports, including, but not limited to, script creation, sponsor activations, entertainment, music, video board elements, performances, band and spirit squads

o Manage the production and distribution of promotional materials such as schedule cards, posters, and ads

o Drive campus engagement initiatives to boost student, faculty, and staff attendance and school spirit

o Manage student initiatives, such as student section leadership meetings and other events

o      Lead the content strategy and outbound communications to increase student engagement and in-game programming to create an energetic student section on gamedays

30%

•

Strategic Leadership –

o Oversee the hiring, scheduling, and mentoring of all marketing assistants and street team students.

o Maintain payroll portal

o Manage the Protection of Minors form

20%

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications:

Specialty Factors:

1. Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, communications, public relations, or a closely related field.

2. Four (4) year (48 months) of professional work experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management, or a related professional area.

3. Demonstrated experience in a higher education or professional athletic environment.

4. Demonstrated experience in game presentation and/or fan engagement

Preferred Qualifications:

Three (3) years experience in college or professional athletics marketing or related field.

Experience overseeing the aspects of in-game entertainment and producing the run-of show, including pre-game ceremonies, in-game promotions, video board content, music selection, student section coordination and post-game events.

Experience with project management and execution in the creation of traditional and paid advertising campaigns.

Maintain knowledge of, and compliance with, specific NCAA, Big Ten Conference, and institution rules that relate to this position is required.

Championship Mindset and Expectations

Understands and displays professionalism and integrity that builds and maintains trust between student-athletes and fellow DIA staff;

Prioritizes and contributes to the life changing student-athlete experience;

Adheres to University, DIA, Big Ten, and NCAA rules and regulations;

Commitment to the Athletics Department and University’s mission and values;

Flexible to various scheduling to include nights, weekend work and some holidays, team travel; and

Maintain professional competency and skills required for professional practice.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS

Providing this information helps ensure that the essential functions of the position are fully documented for the benefit of employees, applicants, and the university.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions Comments:

5%

Potential postseason travel for sports that require fan event coordination

Manager Approval

Manager Approver

Aliota, Joey

Date Approved/Finalized

6/2/2025