Director of Marketing, State Farm Center/Illinois Athletics

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

Job Information:

Title:

Director of Marketing, State Farm Center/Illinois Athletics

Classification Title:

5004 - Marketing Associate

Job Location or Region:

Urbana-Champaign - 133

Job Description Reason:

Vacancy

Appointment Type:

Permanent

Position Number:

UD2694

Position Class Code:

5004A-MARKETING ASSOC (LU)

Employee Group:

C - Civil Service Web/Dpt Tm Entry

COA:

1 - Urbana

Organization Code:

296000

Organization Name:

State Farm Center

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,

Executive Senior Associate AD,

Associate AD/State Farm Center Director

Director of Marketing, State Farm Center/Illinois Athletics

PRIMARY POSITION FUNCTION/SUMMARY

As a leader in Illinois Athletics Marketing, manage the development and execution of State Farm Center marketing operations to promote facility events, maximize sales, and publicize the venue to the community, industry promoters/agencies, and other internal and external stakeholders. This position will also work to support Illinois Athletics varsity sport marketing efforts, which may include Women's and Men's Basketball and other similar sports.

•

Advertising, Marketing, Sales, Public Relations

o Prepare and execute comprehensive event advertising and promotional plans and budgets for events booked at State Farm Center, including paid advertising campaigns (print, TV/radio/online media, outdoor) and social media campaigns.

o Prepare event advertising and promotional campaign settlement reports for all events.

o Manage earned media opportunities to include press release writing, story pitching, and in-person media appearances representing the facility.

o Coordinate with show/event promoters and their representatives to support and collaborate on show advertising and promotional campaigns.

o Work to develop promotional assets for State Farm Center events, including graphics, video, and audio media.

o Liaise with the Illinois Ticket Office to coordinate event presales, on-sales, promotional opportunities, ticket scaling, and other special offers.

o Create and implement sponsorship and promotional trade agreements and campaigns with local and regional media partners and businesses to promote State Farm Center events, including single-event and season sponsorships (i.e. Broadway Series, etc.)

o Manage the State Farm Center website and social media accounts and associated content.

o Manage venue email database and communications to promote the venue and events

o Help to manage in-venue graphics and digital media (marquee, digital boards, television displays, pole banners, audio scripts, etc.) to promote the venue and events.

o Work to identify and develop additional revenue generation opportunities.

o With Illinois Athletics Marketing, develop fan engagement initiatives, game promotional plans (game themes, giveaways, ticket promotions, etc.), and fan experience staff and other initiatives for Illinois varsity sport programs.

60%

•

Management

o In collaboration with the SFC Director and DIA External management, oversee and directly supervise marketing staff and marketing interns charged with developing SFC marketing, advertising, and public relations.

o Serve as primary advisor to the Star Course student concert organization.

o Manage the oversight of State Farm Center concert and event merchandise sales operations.

20%

•

Campus, Community, and Industry Relations

o Work to develop collaborative relationships with venue community, campus, media, business, governmental, and non-profit stakeholders.

o Oversee post-event surveys, website comments, and other guest and market feedback initiatives.

o Oversee gifting programs to manage relations with artists and promoters.

o Assist with developing internal and external venue reports, media, and marketing collateral as needed to promote the facility, respond to annual venue reporting requests, and use for industry marketing purposes.

o Coordinate outreach to agency and industry contacts to promote the venue.

o Coordinate State Farm Center venue tours and educational programming.

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. (3) years (36 months) of professional work experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management, or a related professional area.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in working in public assembly venue (arena, stadium, theater, concert hall) marketing and sales. Experience working within intercollegiate athletics marketing. Experience in the purchase and evaluation of radio, television, print, and digital marketing 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:

Manager Approval

Manager Approver

Marquardt, John

Date Approved/Finalized

6/16/2025