Associate Athletic Director for External Operations

Associate Athletic Director for External Operations The Associate Athletic Director (AD) for External Operations is responsible for providing leadership, organization, administration, and evaluation of the external operations of the department to include corporate sponsorships (Learfield), marketing, promotions, media relations and ticket sales (Taymar). This individual will be responsible for creating a comprehensive branding, awareness and marketing strategy for the department to include merchandising, licensing and other new revenue generating ideas. As a member of the Spartan Council staff, this individual will oversee day‑to‑day operations, budget oversight and personnel of units: Ticket Operations, Marketing and Fan Engagement, Corporate Sponsorships and Fundraising, Strategic Communications, and Live Production. The Associate AD for External Operations will work in collaboration with the Executive Associate Athletic Director of External Operations to develop, implement and update the department’s strategic plan, as part of the overall University’s strategic planning process. This position also requires the performance of any additional duties assigned by the Executive Associate Athletic Director of External Operations. Minimum Qualifications A Master’s degree in Sports Administration is required OR a Bachelor’s in a related area and two years related professional‑level experience. Additionally, 5 – 7 years of increasingly responsible experience at a Division I institution in one or more of the following areas: public relations, ticketing, marketing, and fundraising. Demonstrated expertise as a strategic thinker with skills in supervision, project management, fundraising, marketing, and public relations. Excellent oral and written communication skills are required. The position requires an individual with initiative and a high energy level that will allow for working “long hours” inside and outside of the University to meet expected results. The position requires evening and weekend assignments. Key Responsibilities Marketing and Fan Engagement Lead overall marketing strategy , branding, and fan engagement initiatives. Oversee digital strategy : social media, email marketing, and web presence. Coordinate with ticketing to drive sales, promotions, and attendance growth. Plan and execute community outreach , grassroots marketing, and campus engagement. Give insight on promotional schedules and theme nights for all sports. Oversee sponsorship activation in coordination with the external affairs or corporate sales team. Use data analytics to guide marketing decisions and measure campaign performance. Collaborate with athletics communications, creative services, and multimedia units. Manage budgets for marketing, promotions, and fan experience. Strengthen student‑section engagement and on‑campus visibility. Ticketing and Revenue Input on annual ticket revenue plans : season tickets, mini‑plans, single‑game, group sales, and premium seating. Oversee the ticket office : staffing, training, sales culture, customer service standards, and daily operations. Oversee dynamic pricing strategies based on demand, opponent, time of year, and historical data. Create group sales pipelines with youth sports, civic groups, alumni chapters, and local businesses. Input on coordinating retention and renewal campaigns using CRM data, segmented messaging, and outbound calling. Analyze sales performance weekly and adjust tactics quickly. Corporate Sponsorship and Fundraising Develop and maintain corporate partnerships , ensuring fulfillment and renewals. Create new inventory (digital, in‑venue, experiential) to expand sponsorship opportunities. Represent athletics in the community through chamber events, civic groups, and business outreach. Collaborate with the foundation on donor‑centric events tied to ticketing and premium experiences. Oversight of Strategic Communications and Live Production Guide social media strategy to align with revenue goals and brand identity. Oversee creative services (graphics, video, photography) to support marketing and recruiting. Coordinate with sports information/communications to ensure consistent messaging. Supervision Direct supervision of unit leaders such as directors of marketing, ticketing, live production, fan experience, and sometimes corporate partnerships. Daily oversight of staff performance including workload management, project prioritization, and accountability for deadlines. Hiring, onboarding, and training to build a cohesive external team with shared standards and expectations. Conducting performance evaluations with clear KPIs tied to revenue, attendance, engagement, and brand metrics. Professional development planning to grow staff skills in sales, digital marketing, analytics, and leadership. #J-18808-Ljbffr