Head of Marketing & Communications

signedbyvicken · Palm Beach, FL · 2 mo ago

SalesFull-time

Arizona Sports & Events Alliance (the “Alliance”) plans and executes major, impactful events for Arizona, including the 2023 NFL Super Bowl, the 2024 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four, and the upcoming 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four. The Alliance works with local and national stakeholders to create outstanding experiences for attendees, residents, businesses, media, visitors, sponsors, teams, and participants while showcasing Arizona on a global platform, fueling the regional economy, and leaving a positive legacy for the state.

About the role

The Head of Marketing & Communications will lead the strategy, development, and execution of marketing, communications, branding, and audience engagement initiatives for the Arizona Sports & Events Alliance and its portfolio of major events. This role offers the opportunity to help shape Arizona's reputation as a premier destination for sports, entertainment, and major events while creating meaningful economic and community impact throughout the state.

Responsibilities

Marketing & Brand Strategy
- Develop and execute integrated marketing and communications strategies that advance organizational goals and elevate Arizona's position as a premier host destination.
- Lead brand positioning, messaging, and audience engagement initiatives through integrated paid, owned, and earned channel plans.
- Ensure consistent application of brand standards, visual identity, and communications strategies across all platforms.
- Oversee creative development, agency relationships, production partners, and external resources.
Communications & Public Relations
- Lead media relations, public relations, storytelling, and communications efforts.
- Develop communications strategies that engage residents, visitors, businesses, elected officials, media, and key stakeholders.
- Manage crisis communications planning and issue management as needed.
Content, Digital & Audience Engagement
- Oversee digital marketing, social media, content creation, website strategy, email marketing, and audience development efforts.
- Develop compelling content and storytelling that highlights Arizona, event partners, community impact, and organizational success.
- Utilize data and analytics to optimize audience growth, engagement, and campaign performance.
Event Marketing & Promotion
- Lead marketing and promotional efforts supporting major events and organizational initiatives.
- Collaborate with event organizers, host partners, and stakeholders to maximize awareness, participation, and community engagement.
- Develop event calendars, promotional plans, and integrated campaign strategies, including collateral, presentations, signage, décor, and other branded materials.
Partnership & Stakeholder Support
- Collaborate with the Partnerships team to support sponsorship sales, activation programs, and partner fulfillment.
- Support community initiatives, legacy programs, and stakeholder engagement efforts.
Data, Reporting & Performance Measurement
- Establish meaningful performance metrics and reporting.
- Monitor campaign effectiveness, audience engagement, media value, and organizational awareness.
- Prepare executive reports, dashboards, and post-event recaps that demonstrate results and ROI.
Organizational Leadership & Growth
- Lead internal and external marketing resources to maximize effectiveness and organizational impact.
- Foster a culture of creativity, innovation, collaboration, and accountability.
- Identify new opportunities to strengthen the Alliance brand, expand audience reach, and support organizational growth.
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by leadership.

Requirements

Experience & Background
- 8-10+ years of experience in marketing, communications, public relations, branding, sports marketing, destination marketing, or a related field.
- Demonstrated success developing and executing integrated marketing and communications strategies.
- Experience working with major events, sports properties, tourism organizations, destination marketing organizations, agencies, or related industries preferred.
- Strong understanding of Arizona's business, tourism, sports, and media landscape preferred.
- Strong understanding of brand strategy, public relations, media relations, content development, digital marketing, and audience engagement.
- Understanding of sponsorship activation, event marketing, and stakeholder communications.
Leadership & Strategic Thinking
- Proven ability to lead complex marketing initiatives and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Experience managing budgets, agencies, vendors, and cross-functional project teams.
- Strategic mindset with the ability to balance long-term planning and day-to-day execution.
- Ability to influence and collaborate effectively with executive leadership, partners, and stakeholders.
Professional Competencies
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment while maintaining professionalism and attention to detail.
- Proactive, adaptable, and solution-oriented approach.
- Highly proficient in Microsoft Office applications and marketing technology platforms.
- Positive attitude, collaborative leadership style, and commitment to organizational success.

Work Environment

Primarily based in the Alliance's downtown Phoenix office with regular in-person collaboration with team members, partners, and stakeholders.
Frequent attendance at meetings, events, partner activations, and community engagements throughout Arizona is expected.
Occasional evening, weekend, and event-period responsibilities should be anticipated due to the nature of major events and partnership activation.

Benefits