Associate Athletics Director for Marketing and Fan Engagement

California State University, Bakersfield • Bakersfield, CA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Athletics services the entire community and its alumni. It is responsible for creating an institutional culture that is supportive of students. The department provides leadership in the development of services and programs that enrich student life, extend, and enhance academic experience, and contribute to an environment that encourages personal growth and development. Under the administrative direction of the Director of Athletics, the Associate Athletics Director for Marketing & Fan Engagement manages a comprehensive marketing, communications, and external engagement program designed to enhance the visibility, reputation, and financial success of CSUB Athletics. The position oversees marketing, communications, creative services, live broadcasting, advertising, and spirit programs, ensuring all initiatives reflect institutional and departmental priorities. The incumbent develops and implements strategic marketing and communications plans to drive attendance, fan engagement, and revenue growth, while maintaining brand consistency across all platforms. The position supervises assigned staff within marketing, promotions, creative services, and broadcasting, coordinating the production of creative content, game-day promotions, and media relations activities. The incumbent also provides administrative oversight for assigned sport programs, serving as the primary liaison between coaches, staff, and Athletics leadership to support student-athlete success.

Requirements

• EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE – Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing or other related field and three (3) years of demonstrated progressive experience within intercollegiate athletics, athletics administration, and/or external operations.
• LICENSES – Possession of a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain by date of hire.
• SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES (SKA’s) – Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• In-depth knowledge of communication, public affairs, media, and marketing theories and concepts in order to develop and execute communication strategies and plans to promote and position the university.
• Expert knowledge of university communication objectives and ability to translate them into effective communication and media campaigns.
• Ability to understand issues from a broad, strategic perspective.
• Ability to effectively manage media relations and apply effective media strategies and techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to market story concepts to university officials and media outlets.
• Comprehensive knowledge of marketing and research techniques and methods.
• Ability to use market research to enhance the impact of communication strategies and campaigns.
• Expert networking and interpersonal skills including strong consultative and persuasive skills to work with internal and external constituents and the media.
• Ability to supervise, direct, coach, train, and evaluate staff, and monitor progress towards established goals.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner.
• Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ability to interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Excellent computer skills and competence with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, on-line systems, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
• Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure.
• Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
• Must be able to work occasional holidays and adjust working hours to meet special jobs.
• May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in mass communications, and fan engagement.
• Experience in project development and management.
• Experience in marketing projects focused on revenue generation.
• Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment possessing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.

Responsibilities

• Athletics Marketing & Communications Oversight Develop and execute comprehensive annual marketing and communications plans designed to enhance fan engagement, attendance, and revenue generation for CSUB Athletics.
• Oversee the design and production of promotional materials, publications, and creative content to ensure consistent messaging and brand alignment.
• Direct the creation, scheduling, and distribution of email and social media content across to increase interest, excitement and loyalty for the department and teams.
• Manage marketing relationships with athletic departments third-party multimedia rights partners to maximize revenue and corporate sponsor initiatives.
• Develop and maintain multi-year marketing and promotional strategies for all 16 varsity programs, ensuring consistency with departmental priorities and goals.
• Coordinate the production of game-day scripts, in-venue promotions, and sponsorship activations to create an engaging fan experience.
• Ensure timely production of photography, videography, and graphic assets for use in departmental marketing and communication efforts.
• Build and maintain relationships with media outlets and key community partners to increase visibility and coverage of CSUB Athletics.
• Supervise marketing and promotions staff, including directing and monitoring daily assignments and assisting in hiring, training and evaluations.
• Oversee cheer and dance coaches, along with the pep band.
• Direct strategy for implementing spirit programs into game-day operations and campus/community engagement initiatives.
• Adhere to annual marketing and communications budgets, ensuring effective use of resources.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of marketing and promotional efforts, providing recommendations for improvement.
• Serve as a departmental representative on committees or workgroups related to branding, communication, or fan engagement.
• Participate as a member of the Athletics Executive Staff, contributing to departmental planning sessions, budget discussions, and goal setting related to marketing and external affairs.
• Live Broadcasting, Creative Services, Advertising, & Brand Management Oversight Supervise the Athletics broadcast operations team to ensure high-quality production of live athletic events, maintaining broadcast standards required by conference and media partners.
• Athletics creative services, ensuring all visual content aligns with institutional brand standards and marketing objectives.
• Manage advertising initiatives, including creative design, placement, and fulfillment of corporate sponsorship deliverables.
• Direct the development and implementation of creative design assets, including digital templates, posters, signage, promotional items, and branded merchandise, to ensure consistent representation of the Athletics brand.
• Collaborate with vendors and university partners to support design, licensing, and branding needs across Athletics programs.
• S port/Team Administration Serve as the primary contact for day-to-day sport-specific activities of assigned teams.
• Collaborate with coaches and assist with management of all elements of sport-specific operations to support student athletes, coaches, and staff of assigned teams.
• Foster a culture of excellence and sportsmanship within the athletics programs.
• Work with coaching staff to address and resolve issues related to student-athlete welfare, academic success, and behavior.
• Facilitate regular communication and collaboration among coaching staff, ensuring unified approach to the overall mission and values of the Athletics Department.

Benefits

• CSUB offers a best-in-class benefit package for eligible employees that includes an array of medical plans, choice of dental plans, vision coverage, retirement participation in CalPERS, CSU tuition waiver, up to 24 vacation days per year, sick leave with unlimited accrual, 15 paid holidays per year and more!
• See our benefits website for additional information.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager