Executive Director, Brand & Fan Marketing

Chicago Bulls • Chicago, IL

5d • $125,000 - $150,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Chicago Bulls, one of the most iconic and well-known global sports brands, are building a future-looking marketing capability that applies a combination of data-driven insight and creativity to drive fan development and support organizational growth. We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Executive Director, Brand & Fan Marketing to help lead the vision, planning, and execution of initiatives that build brand equity, deepen fan loyalty, and grow our fanbase across key audiences and channels. Reporting to the Vice President of Fan Development and Growth Marketing, this individual will oversee two teams – Integrated Marketing and Brand & Fan Development – that are charged with cultivating our fanbase to support future org-wide growth, ensuring our org-wide efforts are aligned and consistent, and driving maximum, measurable impact. The ideal candidate brings a blend of strategic brand marketing expertise, fan-centric innovation, and proven leadership in managing teams that deliver culturally relevant, insight-driven initiatives and campaigns. This individual will be a strong leader who will take ownership of projects and work effectively as part of cross-functional teams focusing on the goals of driving fan engagement, growing revenue, and moving the brand forward.

Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years of proven experience in marketing, brand strategy, or a related field. Experience in sports or entertainment is a plus
• Proven experience managing multiple full-time staff team members
• Experience handling large budgets and departmental operations
• Working familiarity with data capture, digital channels, creative development, and events
• A strategic thinker who is equally comfortable in high-level planning and hands-on execution, with keen attention to detail and timelines
• Profound understanding of marketing principles and standard methodologies
• Strong ability to adapt to changing timelines and ad hoc requests
• A supportive, motivated, experienced team leader that inspires others towards continuous learning and success
• Excellent teammate, with positive energy and proven ability to collaborate with internal departments and external partners
• Ability to multi-task and remain organized and motivated both individually and as a team member in a fast-paced and performance-based environment
• Possess an uncompromised ability to protect the confidentiality/privacy of others and company documents and records
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a track record of influencing cross-functional stakeholders and senior leaders
• Ability to contribute to and build a balanced, productive work environment with positive relationships, and follow through on duties as assigned
• Initiative and dedication to challenge self and continually strive for improvement

Responsibilities

• Set Strategic Direction
• Develop long-term strategic plans to guide and shape the work of the Integrated Marketing and Brand & Fan Development teams
• Lead strategy and planning for tentpole and marquee activations that align brand and revenue goals collaborating alongside key stakeholders
• Develop and implement fan engagement strategies rooted in audience insights, behavioral data, and brand values, aimed at driving affinity, loyalty, and conversion
• Play pivotal role in developing overarching marketing strategy to support ticket sales
• Serve key leadership role in driving collaborative efforts that develop programs and initiatives to support corporate partnership sales and activation
• Drive the development of the organization’s youth marketing strategy
• Grow and Manage Brand Assets and Initiatives
• Ensure org-wide alignment on initiatives that span across multiple departments (e.g., ticketing products, partnership sales and activation, theme nights, cause marketing efforts)
• Own fan development initiatives that bring new fans into the mix and deepen existing fan relationships
• Own and direct the Bulls “institutional assets” (i.e., drops, in-arena signage) to ensure we are maximizing their use and impact
• Lead External Brand Collaborations
• Steer collaborative efforts with other Chicago teams, groups, and vendors to expand brand and reach and strengthen relationships with fans
• Explore opportunities to partner with brands in and outside of the sports industry on relevant cross-promotional collaborations that support org-wide goals
• Drive Measurable Results
• Identify data capture opportunities to bring fans into the Bulls ecosystem and work cross-departmentally to develop approaches to report attributable revenue and brand value
• Work with the Business Strategy & Analytics team to develop processes to track and measure team efforts to ensure marketing efforts drive results
• Develop Staff and Lead Marketing Admin Functions
• Manage, mentor, and develop full-time staff members encouraging a collaborative and inclusive environment
• Represent the Marketing team in larger org-wide working group settings
• Manage the marketing budget, monitor expenses closely to increase value

Benefits

• Low premiums for healthcare, dental, and vision coverage
• 100% paid premium for basic employee life insurance and disability coverage
• 401(k) with employer match plus annual discretionary contribution
• Flexible spending account for healthcare and dependent care as well as commuter benefits
• Paid time-off including vacation, sick, holiday, days of significance, and parental leave
• Complimentary home game tickets, parking, and gym access
• Complimentary snacks, lunch and dinner (if working games / events)
• Pet Insurance

What This Job Offers

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