Executive Director, Brand and Fan Marketing

Chicago Bulls • Chicago, IL

4d • $130,000 - $155,000

About The Position

The Chicago Bulls are building a future-looking marketing capability that combines data-driven insight and creativity to develop fans and support organizational growth. The Executive Director, Brand and Fan Marketing will lead the vision, planning, and execution of initiatives to build brand equity, deepen fan loyalty, and grow the fanbase across key audiences and channels. Reporting to the Vice President of Brand Marketing and Fan Development, this role oversees the Integrated Marketing and Brand & Fan Development teams, aligning organization-wide efforts and driving measurable impact.

The role calls for expertise in brand marketing, lifecycle marketing and CRM strategy, fan-centric innovation, and leadership of teams delivering culturally relevant, insight-driven initiatives and campaigns. The Executive Director will work with cross-functional teams to increase fan engagement, grow revenue, and advance the brand. Responsibilities include strategic planning; fan engagement and development; coordination of organization-wide initiatives and brand assets; data capture, measurement, and analytics; staff development; and management of budgets and marketing administration.

Requirements

• At least 15 years of experience in marketing, brand strategy, or a related field.
• Prior experience in lifecycle marketing or CRM.
• Proven team leadership and significant people-management experience, including at least 2–3 direct reports.
• Experience handling large budgets and departmental operations.
• Strong familiarity with data capture, digital channels, creative development, and events.
• Strategic thinker comfortable with high-level planning and hands-on execution, with attention to detail and timelines.
• Analytical approach to marketing as a business driver, including KPI goal setting and marketing measurement.
• Profound understanding of marketing principles and standard methodologies.
• Ability to adapt to changing timelines and ad hoc requests.
• Ability to inspire others toward continuous learning and success.
• Ability to collaborate with internal departments and external partners.
• Ability to multitask and stay organized and motivated individually and as a team member in a fast-paced, performance-based environment.
• Ability to protect the confidentiality and privacy of others and company documents and records.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with experience influencing cross-functional stakeholders and senior leaders.
• Ability to contribute to a balanced, productive work environment, build positive relationships, and follow through on assigned duties.
• Initiative and dedication to self-improvement.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational and interpersonal skills, both oral and written.
• Must currently reside in, or be willing to relocate to, the Chicagoland area.
• Scheduling flexibility, including the ability to work evenings and weekends as business needs require.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in sports or entertainment.

Responsibilities

• Develop long-term strategic plans for the Integrated Marketing and Brand & Fan Development teams.
• Lead strategy and planning for tentpole and marquee activations in collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Develop and implement fan engagement strategies based on audience insights, behavioral data, and brand values to drive affinity, loyalty, and conversion.
• Play a pivotal role in developing overarching marketing strategy to support ticket sales.
• Lead collaborative efforts to develop programs and initiatives supporting corporate partnership sales and activation.
• Drive the organization’s youth marketing strategy and other priority fan development strategies.
• Ensure organization-wide alignment on initiatives spanning multiple departments, such as ticketing products, partnership sales and activation, theme nights, and cause marketing.
• Oversee fan development initiatives that drive and scale fan acquisition and deepen and increase the value of existing fan relationships.
• Manage the Bulls’ institutional and owned-channel assets, including retail drops and in-arena signage, to maximize their use and impact.
• Identify, test, and scale data-capture opportunities that bring fans into the Bulls ecosystem, and work across departments to develop methods for reporting attributable revenue and brand value.
• Champion measurement of marketing results and collaborate with Business Strategy & Analytics on fan development data insights and measurement strategies.
• Manage, mentor, and develop full-time staff, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment.
• Represent and support the Brand & Integrated Marketing team in organization-wide working groups.
• Manage brand and integrated marketing budgets and monitor expenses to maximize results.

Benefits

• Competitive employee premiums for healthcare, dental, and vision coverage.
• 100% paid premium for basic employee life insurance and disability coverage.
• 401(k) with employer match plus an annual discretionary contribution.
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care, and commuter benefits.
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick time, holidays, days of significance, and parental leave.
• Complimentary home game tickets, parking, and gym access.
• Complimentary snacks and lunch; complimentary dinner when working games or events.
• Pet insurance.
• Annual discretionary bonus eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: No Education Listed