ABOUT PORTLAND FIRE:
Professional women’s basketball is returning to Rip City. On September 18, 2024, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) awarded Portland its 15th franchise, bringing the league back to the city for the first time in over two decades. Owned and operated by the Bhathal family through RAJ Sports, the team will make its official debut in 2026 at the Moda Center. Portland is cementing itself as the epicenter of women’s sports, powered by a passionate fan base and a rich basketball culture. At Portland Fire, we’re building more than a team, we’re creating a modern, inclusive, and community-driven organization from the ground up. With innovation, integrity, and excellence at our core, our mission is to set a new standard in women’s professional basketball - delivering excellence on the court, inspiring fans, and serving the city we call home. As we prepare for our inaugural season, we’re looking for passionate, driven professionals to help shape the future of this franchise and the future of the game.
THE ROLE:
The Portland Fire is seeking a strategic, data-driven, and entrepreneurial Director of Growth and Retention to lead the development of our fan database, customer acquisition strategy, and sales funnel optimization. This person will be responsible for building and executing the roadmap for fan growth – from initial awareness to lead generation to long-term retention – and will play a foundational role in establishing the business operations of our new WNBA franchise.
You will collaborate across departments, including ticketing, marketing, and digital, and work closely with leadership to set and achieve ambitious goals for database growth, ticket sales, and fan engagement.
This role requires a proactive individual with a passion for sports, particularly women's basketball, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
WHAT YOU’ll BE UP TO:
Database Development & Management
- Design and implement a comprehensive CRM and data infrastructure to capture and organize fan information, sales leads, and engagement behavior.
- Select and manage tools/platforms for fan data collection, segmentation, and lifecycle marketing.
- Collaborate with digital and technology teams to ensure seamless integration of all fan touchpoints (website, social, events, email, ticketing).
Lead Generation & Sales Funnel Optimization
- Develop multi-channel acquisition strategies to grow the fan database, including paid media, content marketing, grassroots events, partnerships, and organic digital campaigns.
- Launch targeted campaigns to drive qualified leads into the ticketing pipeline (season tickets, groups, premium seating, etc.).
- Partner closely with ticket sales to align lead gen efforts with sales goals and ensure lead quality and conversion tracking.
Retention & Lifecycle Marketing
- Build and execute strategies to nurture fan relationships from first touch through long-term retention.
- Develop lifecycle campaigns across email, SMS, and push that drive engagement, ticket purchases, and brand loyalty.
- Lead segmentation strategy to deliver personalized and high-impact fan communications.
Insights & Reporting
- Analyze database growth, campaign performance, and fan behavior to continually optimize efforts.
- Deliver regular reporting and insights to internal stakeholders, including executive leadership.
- Execute on KPIs for growth, lead conversion, and retention; track progress toward goals.
WHAT IT TAKES:
- 9+ years of experience in growth marketing, CRM, fan engagement, or data-driven sales strategy, preferably in sports, entertainment, or live events.
- Proven success designing and executing data capture and lead generation strategies.
- Hands-on experience with CRM tools (Salesforce, HubSpot, etc.), email platforms, and analytics dashboards.
- Strong understanding of audience segmentation, customer journey mapping, and campaign lifecycle marketing.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational and project management skills, able to manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously.
- Creative thinker with the ability to generate new ideas and concepts for marketing initiatives.
- Understands how to map out the customer journey for different campaigns based on goals and objectives
- Strategic mindset with a focus on performance and analytics and a deep understanding of A/B testing.
- Experience and interest in sports, sports culture, and fan engagement.
- Passion for the growth and development of women's basketball, with a vested interest in advancing the sport and engaging fans through digital channels.
BENEFITS
- Competitive salary and performance-based incentives, Salary Range $100,000 - $120,000
- Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and wellness programs
- Opportunities for professional development and career advancement
- Dynamic, collaborative and fun work environment
- Opportunity to make a meaningful impact and contribute to the growth of women's basketball
Ready to Be a Game Changer in Portland? Apply Now!
If you’re ready to shape the future of Portland Fire, we want to hear from you. Join us as we make history—on and off the court.
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter outlining how your skills and experience make you a strong candidate for this role.
Portland Fire is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
About Portland Fire Ownership, RAJ Sports:
RAJ Sports, led by Alex Bhathal and Lisa Bhathal Merage, focuses on investment opportunities in sports and sports-related properties, drawing on the Bhathal family’s multi-generational experience and relationships in the industry. The firm seeks to leverage the power of sports to affect broader social and economic change through a variety of business and philanthropic strategies. Its deep experience in professional sports operations and large-scale real estate developments that create thriving community centers, positions the firm to deliver valuable assets that will support further growth for the players, staff, and fans. In 2013, the Bhathal family became investors in the Sacramento Kings (NBA); subsequently building the platform to include the Sacramento RiverCats (MiLB), Stockton Kings (NBA G-League) and several sports anchored real estate developments. The 2024 acquisitions of Portland Thorns (NWSL) and the Portland Fire expansion team represents a milestone for the city of Portland and places it at the epicenter of growth for women’s sports
