Associate Athletic Director - Marketing & Fan Engagement

Associate Athletic Director - Marketing & Fan Engagement

Division of Intercollegiate Athletics

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; • 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) • 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.

Associate Athletic Director - Marketing & Fan Engagement

Division of Intercollegiate Athletics

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; • 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) • 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

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.

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

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 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.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

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 accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID : 1037296
Job Category : Education & Student Services
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu

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