Associate Director or Director, Marketing & Fan Development

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Associate Director or Director, Marketing & Fan Development

Division Intercollegiate Athletics

The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) invites applications for Associate Director, Marketing & Fan Development or Director, Marketing & Fan Development to support marketing. In addition, the Associate Director, Marketing & Fan Development or Director, Marketing & Fan Development will play a critical role in supporting the broader strategic priorities of the DIA, and ultimately this position will help foster a life-changing experience for student-athletes.

Since 1892, DIA has operated on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to support its intercollegiate athletic programs. Today, DIA supports 21 intercollegiate varsity sports which compete as a part of the Big Ten Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. DIA provides the resources for over 500 student-athletes to participate at the highest levels of their respective sports. This extensive support ecosystem includes over 35 departments employing over 300 dedicated staff members including 80 plus varsity coaches working collaboratively to provide individualized championship-caliber opportunities to our student-athletes, in the classroom, in the competitive arena, and in personal and professional development, to enhance their growth and life preparation. The DIA mission is to Unify, Develop, Inspire, and Achieve, for the benefit of our student-athletes, our university, and our broader community.

DIA has set forth six strategic priorities to help guide and advance its overarching mission: Championship people, championship mindset; strategic innovation and investment; athletic success; financial sustainability; win championships; community engagement and enrichment. Together, these priorities present a cohesive vision for the direction of the department.

Organizational Relationship

This position will report to the Assistant Athletic Director Marketing & Fan Development

Job 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.

For a complete list of duties and responsibilities, Associate Director, Marketing & Fan Development or Director of Marketing and Fan Engagement

Impact in Your First Year

Within 3 months, you will:

• Create Opportunities through events and engagement to build the Fighting Illini fan base.

Within 6 months, you will:

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

By the end of the first year, you will:

• Generate revenue and attendance for Illinois Athletics while building and protecting the Illinois Athletics brand.

Minimum Qualifications (Associate Director)

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business administration, communications, public relations, or a closely related field.
• Three (3) years (36 months) of professional work experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management, or a related professional area.
• Demonstrated experience in a higher education or professional athletic environment.
• Demonstrated experience in game presentation and/or fan engagement

Minimum Qualifications (Director)

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business administration, communications, public relations, or a closely related field.
• Four (4) years (48 months) of professional work experience in marketing, public relations, communications, brand management, or a related professional area.
• Demonstrated experience in a higher education or professional athletic environment.
• Demonstrated experience in game presentation and/or fan engagement

Preferred Qualifications

• Four (4)+ years of relevant experience in fan experience/game presentation, marketing, promotions, revenue generation/sales preferred.
• Experience working with variety of gameday stakeholders including music operators, band, spirit teams, performers, pyrotechnics, lights , sponsorship activations and more.
• Experience with project management and execution in the creation of traditional and paid advertising campaigns.
• Experience with Oracle Eloqua email marketing platform.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 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

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5004 - Marketing Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 7/7/2025. The salary range for this position is Associate Director, Marketing & Fan Development - $58,000 - $65,000 or Director of Marketing & Fan Development - $65,000 - $75,000 and the salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Become an Illinois professional at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and be part of a dynamic community dedicated to making a positive impact on both local and global scales, advancing knowledge, and fostering creativity. Learn more about why YOU should join us.

DIA believes that athletics provides a forum to bring together people across all spectra of identities. We are committed to welcoming, affirming, and celebrating students, coaches, staff, and spectators of all races and ethnicities, sexes, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and abilities. DIA's mission is to unify, develop, inspire, and achieve. It is no mistake that “Unify” is our first priority, a priority which requires a level of empathy and respect to create a culture of community, inclusivity, and belonging. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are a part of who we are and a standard that we are all responsible for upholding.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on June 18, 2025 . Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact __Krissy Doran at [email protected] . For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing [email protected].

Requisition ID : 1031111 Job Category : Professional and Administrative Apply at: