Assistant Athletic Director - Marketing & Fan Engagement

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

Job Information:

Title:

Assistant Athletic Director - Marketing & Fan Engagement

Classification Title:

Academic Professional

Job Location or Region:

Urbana-Champaign - 133

Job Description Reason:

Vacancy

Appointment Type:

Permanent

Position Number:

UC3815

Position Class Code:

NFDJA-ASST DIR  COMPR MRKTG

Employee Group:

B - Academic Professionals

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?

Regular Driver?

Organizational Relationship:

Chancellor

Director, Division of Intercollegiate Athletics

Executive Senior Associate Director of Athletics

Chief Commercial Officer

Associate Director of Athletics, Marketing & External Engagement

Assistant Director of Athletics, Marketing and Fan Engagement

Various Academic Professional and Civil Service employees Hourly Employees

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. Develop and implement a comprehensive game presentation strategy that enhances fan experience.

•

Senior Staff Strategic Leadership

 • Be an active member on DIA’s Senior Leadership Staff, engaging in critical group think, committee work and completing special projects;

 • Serve as a senior advisor to the executive staff on all fan development initiatives;

 • Through tireless collaboration, create a unified environment encompassing all DIA units to appropriately demonstrate DIA’s commitment to a life changing student-athlete experience;

 • Demand a championship mindset from staff focused on integrity, individual contribution and accountability, collaboration, and competitive urgency; 

 • Serve as a visible, positive ambassador for University of Illinois and DIA in all public-facing responsibilities, creating stronger partnerships with our various communities (local, regional, state, campus, and industry-specific)

50%

•

Marketing and Fan Engagement Administration

 • Supervise a marketing staff of full-time employees and the strategic plans associated with all 21 sports in the Illinois Athletics Department;

 • Manage the marketing and promotions for football, including all advertising and messaging strategy for sales of tickets and attendance growth. Responsible for the revenue generation of Illinois football and the required budgetary goals and milestones.

 • Oversee the department’s digital advertising revenue generation strategy, including but not limited to email campaigns, website, mobile app, mass texting, and social media paid inventory.

 • Serve as primary liaison with Paciolan, Illinois’ ticketing partner and the Illinois ticket office.

 • Manage the day-to day fan engagement for football, including but not limited to gameday promotions, script creation and game presentation. Oversee programs that develop fan engagement outside sporting events – Illini Tours, Kids Club, student programming, and rewards programs.

50%

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:

Education:

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

Experience:

Required: A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in college or professional athletics marketing, or related field.

Specialty Factors:

Preferred Qualifications:

Education: Master’s degree preferred

Experience:

Preferred: Five (5) years’ experience in college or professional athletics marketing or related field.

Experience working with variety of gameday stakeholders including music operators, band, spirit teams, performers, pyrotechnics, lights, sponsorship activations and more. Experience with email marketing and digital advertising

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:

This position requires the ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours during athletic events and peak seasons. The employee must be able to stand and walk for prolonged periods during games and events, travel between venues and event locations, and occasionally lift or move promotional materials and event-related equipment up to 25 pounds. The role also requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and effectively perform duties in both office and live event environments with frequent multitasking and time-sensitive responsibilities.

Manager Approval

Manager Approver

Robbins, Brooke

Date Approved/Finalized

5/15/2026