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Associate Athletic Director - Marketing & Fan Engagement

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · Urbana, IL · 2 wk ago
Marketing$80k–$90k/yrFull-time

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.

Duties & Responsibilities

  • 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;
    • 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).

  • Provide strategic leadership and supervision to assigned staff by fostering professional growth, setting clear performance expectations, promoting accountability, and cultivating a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement;

  • Collaborate across all levels of DIA to build strong partnerships, align departmental priorities, facilitate effective communication, and drive cross-functional initiatives that advance the Division's strategic goals and enhance the student-athlete experience.

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.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

  • The 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.

Minimum Qualifications

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

  • Experience: Required: A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in college or professional athletics marketing, or related field.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Education: Master’s degree preferred.

  • Experience: Preferred: Seven (7) 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.

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;
  • Maintain professional competency and skills required for professional practice.

Appointment Information

  • This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis.
  • The expected start date is as soon as possible after 7/27/2026.
  • Salary range is $80,000 - $90,000 commensurate with experience.

Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

  • Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on July 13, 2026.
  • Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting.
  • Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.
  • For further information about this specific position, please contact Krissy Doran at kdoran@illinois.edu.
  • For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

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