Chicago Union
Marketing & Operations Intern
Chicago Union - Intern
Elmhurst, IL · Hybrid
Game Day/Event Staff · Marketing · Ticket Sales
0
3
days ago
***Candidates must already live in Chicagoland***
The Marketing & Operations Intern will lead the Chicago Union's day-to-day marketing and operations, driving fan acquisition and revenue growth while overseeing the fan, sponsor, and community experience end to end. This is a senior internship intended for a graduate student ready to run a wide-ranging portfolio with real autonomy - from sponsorship strategy and gameday execution to community partnerships and staff coordination. They will report directly to Chicago Union ownership. This role requires a commitment through the end of the Union's season in August, regardless of program graduation date. Please only apply if you can commit through the full season.
The Marketing & Operations Intern will lead the Chicago Union's day-to-day marketing and operations, driving fan acquisition and revenue growth while overseeing the fan, sponsor, and community experience end to end. This is a senior internship intended for a graduate student ready to run a wide-ranging portfolio with real autonomy - from sponsorship strategy and gameday execution to community partnerships and staff coordination. They will report directly to Chicago Union ownership. This role requires a commitment through the end of the Union's season in August, regardless of program graduation date. Please only apply if you can commit through the full season.
This role will engage with resources that manage responsibilities across various areas and will have a wide-ranging exposure to areas like:
Sales & Marketing
- Source and contact businesses, organizations, and community groups for Group Ticket sales and Sponsorships
- Generate content in various forms: written articles and email copy, supporting images with graphics, clip and format highlights for social media, player interviews and other video content
- Manage and grow the team's social media presence and website, maintaining brand quality across all channels
- Run street team outreach (business-to-business and door-to-door/community canvassing) to build local awareness
- Engage with digital marketing team and internship programs
- Generate and execute promotional ideas to drive ticket and merchandise sales
- Liaise with UFA Marketing leadership & staff
- Attend and manage in-person promotions (youth events, stadium, local leagues, pickup, city events, sponsors, etc.) throughout the year
- Coordinate broadcast-related marketing needs (e.g., team broadcast captioning, promotional content tied to broadcast partners)
Community & Chamber Relations
- Represent the Union at Chamber of Commerce meetings and local networking events to build community awareness and new partnerships
- Source and cultivate relationships with local bars/venues and other community partners for game-watch and promotional partnerships
- Build and maintain relationships with community organizations (youth-serving nonprofits, schools, local groups) to expand the Union's community footprint
Sponsors
- During offseason, source and contact sponsor targets, have follow-up conversations, and negotiate agreements for the season
- Ensure fulfillment of sponsorship agreements and report to sponsors on performance
- Manage in-season sponsor relationships and identify opportunities to grow sponsorship revenue
Gameday & Ultimate Events
- Assist Gameday Manager with logistics on all gamedays, including setup, training, and pack out
- Determine gameday staffing needs, source staff, and ensure coverage on gameday including operations, ticketing, entertainment, and medical
- Plan gameday logistics including gameday scripts, stadium setup, ticketing, merchandise, etc.
- Oversee planning and execution of other events, including winter tournaments, tryouts, and Union training camp weekend
- Source and manage printed materials and signage
- Liaise with stadium partners and all vendors
Team Support
- Coordinate player availability and plan travel logistics for away games including booking travel, hotels, transportation, and vehicle rentals for players, coaches, and staff
- Meet with captains and coaches on a weekly basis
Merchandise
- Evaluate and recommend annual merchandise products
- Source, design, determine quantities, and order merchandise
- Fulfill orders and maintain inventory via Shopify throughout the year
- Provide customer service, tracking, and reporting
Administration & Staff Coordination
- Coordinate with Chicago Union ownership group during weekly meetings and quarterly reviews
- Recruit and oversee other interns and street team staff supporting marketing and gameday operations
- Source and make purchases based on agreed-upon budgets and plans
- Manage sponsor and vendor agreements
- Liaise with the league and other division teams
Based on Annual Schedule
**Season** (May–August)
**Offseason** (September–December)
Details
- Primarily work from home
- Must reside in Chicagoland
- Greatest workload during the preseason and season
- Lighter workload in the offseason
- Flexible weekly work schedule based on team schedule and events
- Will include weekends and some evenings/early mornings
- In-person presence required for all games and local events during the preseason and season
- Optional travel to away games during the season and other preseason/offseason events
Compensation
This is an unpaid internship position and can fulfill course credit. Weekly hours will vary based on the time of year (preseason, season, offseason) and can be flexible around class scheduling. Commission is also possible based on ticket sales.
Education
- Graduate students strongly preferred: Master's candidates in Sports Management, or MBA candidates
- Seeking a more mature candidate ready to lead independently and represent the organization externally
Experience
**Preferred**
- Event management
- Management & leadership (including managing or supervising others)
- Team sport athlete
Skills
**Required**
- Strong verbal and written communications
- Word processing, spreadsheets, and online tools
- Strong logic skills to create and troubleshoot items on website and team store
- Reliable transportation year-round
**Preferred**
- Copywriting
- Email marketing (Mailchimp, Hubspot)
- E-commerce (Shopify)
- Organic social media (Hootsuite, Buffer)
**Nice to Have**
- Paid social media (Facebook Ad Manager)
- Graphic design (Canva, Photoshop)
- Video editing (Filmora)
- Photo editing
- QuickBooks Online
- Business analytics
Personal Characteristics
- Reliable and accountable
- Friendly, energetic, and hospitality focused
- Attention to detail and well organized
- Outgoing, enthusiastic, and engaging
- Entrepreneurial and ambitious
- Comfortable leading and delegating to other interns/staff
**Job Types:** Part-time, Internship
**Work Location:** Hybrid remote in Elmhurst, IL 60126
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*We are 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.*
