COLORADO RAPIDS
SR. SPECIALIST, FAN DEVELOPMENT
Denver, CO (Hybrid)
Full-time • Junior Level
WHO YOU ARE
You’re a mission-driven, emerging leader who serves as the bridge between the club and its community—building trust, cultivating passion and growing the fanbase through authentic engagement. You’re passionate about creating fan connections that extend beyond the game and designing programs that strengthen supporter groups, deepen loyalty and guide fans through the marketing funnel while supporting ticketing, partnerships and experiential activations.
You’re a strategic thinker who can leverage fan insights to develop, execute and optimize cross-channel initiatives and campaigns that drive business objectives—with a focus on key growth target audiences as identified by the Vice President of Community Impact & Fan Engagement, and the Chief Business Officer.
WHO WE ARE
Established in 1995 as one of Major League Soccer’s original clubs, the Colorado Rapids have carried forward a proud legacy that has helped shape the league and the sport in the United States. As we build on that foundation, we are focused on an ambitious future—guided by our North Star of putting FANS at the heart of everything we do. Our purpose, “For the fans, with the fans, as one club we inspire, energize & win to carve a Rocky Mountain legacy,” reflects our commitment to creating meaningful connections and delivering excellence on and off the pitch. For our commercial team, this means fearlessly embracing a fan-centric approach, driving innovative revenue opportunities, and building lasting partnerships that strengthen both our business and our community. Together, we are shaping the next chapter of Rapids history with energy, purpose, and impact.
Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE)
Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) is an American Sports and Entertainment holding company based in Denver, Colorado. KSE is committed to providing world class sports and entertainment for both live and broadcast audiences. We are the employer of choice as the owner and operator of Ball Arena, DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, the Paramount Theatre, Denver Nuggets (NBA), the Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Colorado Mammoth (NLL), Colorado Rapids (MLS), KIMN,KXKL, KKSE (FM/AM), Altitude Sports & Entertainment, Major League Fishing/Fishing League Worldwide (MLFLW), Winnercomm, Outdoor Sportsman Group and SkyCam.
JOB SPECIFICS
Job Title: Senior Specialist, Fan Development
Department: Community Impact & Fan Development
Business Unit: Colorado Rapids
Location: Denver, Colorado
Reports To: Vice President, Community Impact & Fan Development/ED Rapids Foundation
Employment Type: Full Time – Salaried – Exempt
Supervisor Position: No
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Success Criteria: Deliver measurable growth in fan engagement, supporter culture, and database expansion by leveraging data and insights to design, implement, and optimize strategies that attract, convert, and retain priority fan segments. Success is defined by growth in fan engagement metrics, improved supporter perception, increased participation across fan programs, and alignment with revenue-generating initiatives such as ticketing, partnerships, and experiential activations by…
- Data-Driven Fan Growth Strategy: Partner with Marketing Operations, Ticketing and Partnerships to analyze fan data and behavioral insights that inform audience segmentation, opportunity identification and growth strategies across the fan lifecycle – from awareness to advocacy.
- Segment & Insight Development: Identify and prioritize key fan segments (e.g., emerging audiences, lapsed fans, multicultural communities, youth) and develop targeted initiatives to drive measurable reach & engagement, loyalty, and improved data quality within each. Continuously evaluate performance using data dashboards and KPIs.
- Supporter Culture Elevation: Serve as the primary club liaison for supporter group relations, collaborating closely with leadership to strengthen relationships, enhance perception, and ensure supporter culture reflects the inclusive, passivate spirit of the Rapids. Develop and measure programs that celebrate supporter traditions and amplify their voice and perception across platforms. Stay current on Supporters’ policies and best practices and serve as primary contact for non-ticketing and stadium interactions.
- Program Design & Optimization: Develop and execute fan development campaigns that integrate with ticketing, partnerships and experiential initiatives. Using insights to test, measure and refine programs that enhance conversion, retention and lifetime value.
- Partnership & Sponsorship Integration: Collaborate with corporate partners and community organizations to create co-branded initiatives, activations, and sponsorship opportunities that enhance fan experience and deliver measurable impact.
- Community Connection & Grassroots Engagement: Build authentic relationships with community leaders, nonprofits, and fan networks to expand reach among key segments and drive local market engagement through on-the-ground activations and events.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with internal departments to align fan development efforts across marketing, community and business objectives – ensuring consistent data capture, shared insights, and unified fan messaging.
- Measurement & Reporting: Define and track success metrics for all fan development programs, including growth in database size, engagement rates, supporter satisfaction, and conversion metrics. Produce regular insights that translate into actionable recommendations.
- Brand Alignment & Culture: Ensure all fan development efforts reflect the Rapids brand purpose statement, voice and values while fostering inclusivity, pride, and connection among fans and supporters.
- Industry Immersion: Stay informed on fan engagement trends, technologies, and best practices across sports and entertainment to identify new opportunities for growth, measurement and innovation.
- Event Management & Operational Support: Assist Marketing Operations and the Foundation team on all club and fundraising events. Execute other projects and duties as assigned to advance the club’s mission of putting fans at the heart of everything we do.
Working Conditions & Physical Demands:
- Typical office conditions
- Ability to work nights, weekends, including standing at sporting or other events for extended periods of time
- Occasional travel to other markets for league meetings, client entertainment, and other related business development activities.
SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
Required
Preferred
- Bilingual Spanish and English
- Professional, collegiate, and/or community relations/marketing or fan engagement experience
- Comprehensive understanding of customer segmentation and how to address different needs of each consumer group
- Strong organizational and critical thinking capabilities, particularly in the stewardship of balancing multiple simultaneous programming strategies
- Excellent customer service skills
- Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
- Ability to acquire or produce and maintain a valid driver’s license and meet company vehicle driving standards
- Ability to work non-traditional hours, including nights and weekends
OTHER
Compensation:
Benefits Include: 12 Paid Company Holidays
- Flexible work policy (Hybrid)
- Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision)
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Life Insurance
- Short and Long-term Disability
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Flexible Spending plans (FSAs)
- 401K/Employer Match
Equal Employment Opportunity
Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
By signing and dating below, I acknowledge that I have reviewed and understand the functionality, scope, and expectations of this role, and my responsibility in contributing to the success and growth of the Colorado Rapids organization. I confirm that my direct supervisor has personally reviewed this document with me, including discussion of any potential shifts in responsibilities or areas of focus, and that I had the opportunity to ask questions and received satisfactory explanations.
Employee name (printed): ___________________ Signature: _________________________ Date:_______________
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