ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, DIGITAL STRATEGY (UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS DIVISION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS)

Champaign, IL 

On-Site

THE RUNDOWN 

Playfly Sports is looking for an Assistant Director, Digital Strategy to join our team at Illinois Athletics.

The Assistant Director will assist with strategy, development, organization, and execution of advertising and digital campaigns to grow Fighting Illini Athletics revenue streams. This position will work as part of the External Engagement Department and work closely with the Marketing & Fan Engagement, Ticket Office, Licensing, I FUND, Strategic Initiatives, Office of Development, Athletics Communication and Premium Seating units. 

WHAT YOU’LL ACCOMPLISH  

• Utilize a nondiscriminatory approach that provides equal opportunity for employment and advancement, embracing and encouraging our employees’ differences, and championing an environment where every team member feels valued
• Contribute to a championship mindset from staff focused on integrity, individual contribution and accountability, collaboration, and competitive urgency; and
• Serve as a visible, positive ambassador for Playfly Sports, the University of Illinois and Division of Intercollegiate Athletics in all public-facing responsibilities, creating stronger partnerships with our various communities (local, regional, state, campus, and industry-specific)
• Work closely with Associate Athletic Director, Marketing & External Engagement to develop and execute high-performing paid media campaigns, including paid social and SEO/SEM for ticket sales, licensing, marketing and premium seating sales
• Assist with the creation of email marketing to maximize all revenue opportunities, including database segmentation, automation, and personalized lifecycle journeys to engage, retain, and convert fans
• Participate as an active contributor to cohesive and comprehensive communication strategy for all outbound revenue-generating initiatives; including, but not limited to, email, mail, social media, mobile application, and digital advertising campaigns for ticket sales, capital projects, business initiatives, fundraising, multimedia rights, and licensing
• Collaborate in the ideation and strategy of revenue-generating content on websites including e-commerce and ticketing integrations, to ensure a seamless and fan-friendly purchase experience
• Contributes toward strategic direction to enhance mobile application content, user growth, engagement, retention, and acquisition
• Assist with analyzing data streams within the department to develop fan engagement strategies, monitor and analyze performance and to strategic recommendations
• Work collaboratively with Strategic Initiatives, Business Intelligence, Athletics Communication, and Marketing staff on all facets of outbound communication
• Ensure adherence to all Company Policies, including an acute focus on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Discrimination and Harassment policies, engaging with Human Resources as appropriate
• Provide recommendations to Playfly Aspire Group and athletic department on marketing, promotions, sales strategies, and community ticket/ sampling programs etc.
• Other job-related duties as assigned

WHAT YOU’LL BRING 

• Minimum of 1 year of sports marketing and/or digital advertising.
• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Sport Administration, Business Administration, Communications, Public Relations, or a closely related field.
• Excellent communication, presentation and listening skills.
• Strong organizational, administrative and time management skills
• Proven problem-solving ability
• Computer proficiency (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Belief that a culture that encourages collaboration, flexibility, equity and fairness that enables individuals to contribute to their full potential, feel valued, and supported is key to success; personally, professionally and for the company
• Knowledge of and compliance with specific NCAA, Big Ten Conference, and institution rules that relate to this position is required.
• PREFERRED:
  • Experience with Google Analytics, Looker Studio, and other key performance indicator tracking mechanisms.
  • Experience with project management and execution in the creation of traditional and paid advertising campaigns.
  • Experience with Eloqua email system.
  • Experience with website design and development.

TRAVEL, LIFTING, PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS   

• Available to work athletic events including home games and special events in evenings and on weekends as needed
• The work is sedentary in nature
• Walking, standing, bending and carrying of light office items is required
• The work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office environment
• May require occasional travel

COMPENSATION 

The pay range for this role is $45,000 to $52,000. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience, certifications, and specific work location. This may be different in other locations due to differences in the cost of labor. 

WHAT WE DO 

Playfly Sports is the full-service, leading sports marketing and media company that enables brands to engage with sports fans on a local, regional, and national level through scaled linear, digital, and experiential assets. Playfly Sports drives outcome-based solutions into 90-million households via more than 7,800 live U.S. broadcasts of MLB, NBA, and NHL games; and influences sports fans of all ages through the management of college and high school multimedia rights, uniform branding, and high-profile sports sponsorship platforms. Playfly Sports has the unique ability to partner, innovate, and advance the aspirations of athletes, brands, academic institutions, and sports fans across the U.S. Playfly Sports is Powered by Partnership. Visit Playfly Sports online at playfly.com

WHAT WE STAND FOR 

At Playfly, we know that a diverse, equitable, and inclusive company is a more innovative and successful one, but more importantly, we believe it’s just the right thing to do. Through conversations, company initiatives, community events and partnerships, policy changes, data analysis, workshops, and support groups, we are dedicated to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. We are here for the long haul and to do the meaningful work that creates true institutional change within our workplace, with our partners, and in the communities we serve.  

EEOC & DIVERSITY STATEMENT 

Playfly Sports affirms that inequality is detrimental to our associates, our clients, and the communities we serve. Our goal is to impact lasting change through our actions. Together, we unite for equality and equity. Playfly Sports is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of any protected characteristic, including race, color, genetic information, creed, national origin, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, lawful alien status, ancestry, age, marital status, or protected veteran status and will not discriminate against anyone on the basis of a disability. We support an inclusive workplace where associates excel based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance.  

ACCOMMODATIONS  

Playfly Sports is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals, and as part of this commitment, Playfly Sports will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [email protected]. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this role at this time. 

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.