Johns Hopkins University is a private institution that was founded in 1876. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,256 and is located in Baltimore, Maryland. The campus consists of 140 acres. Johns Hopkins was ranked 9th in the 2023 edition of Best Colleges by US News and World Report.
Centered on a departmental mission of “Be More” Hopkins Athletics and Recreation is in a period of fast-paced progress and building on its strong foundation. The department is committed to the core tenets of competitive success, student-athlete experience, and developing strong community connections. This new chapter includes investments in state-of-the-art athletic and recreation facilities, innovative programming and partnerships, mental and physical well-being, and strengthening the connections between holistic student development and the professional world.
Hopkins Athletics is a multidivisional department with 22 programs competing at the NCAA DIII level and two programs (men’s and women’s lacrosse) competing at the NCAA Division I level (BIG 10 Conference). The department also hosts a variety of robust recreational and wellness activities, including club sports, intramurals, and fitness programs for all levels.
The Hopkins Athletics and Recreation Department seeks an innovative and forward-thinking Assistant Director, Marketing & Engagement. The Assistant Director of Marketing & Engagement will have primary responsibility for marketing and engagement activities within intercollegiate athletics, including the development of strategic marketing plans, oversight of in-game promotions, and elevation of the fan experience. They will additionally market and promote all recreational opportunities to students, faculty, and staff across the Hopkins enterprise, and collaborate with student-facing colleagues within Student Affairs to ensure an integrated, inclusive student experience.
Hopkins encourages inquiries from candidates who value professional and personal development and will actively promote student belonging, success, development, and engagement.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
Create a comprehensive marketing plan for all 24 varsity sports with a specific emphasis on men’s and women’s lacrosse, including in-game promotions, giveaways, and a coordinated communications strategy.
Create and implement marketing plans for hosted championships.
Coordinate specific “dedication games” on behalf of student-athlete organizations.
Assist with ticket marketing, in collaboration with the Director of Sales and Partnerships.
Develop a targeted marketing plan to encourage student attendance at athletic events through student-focused events and promotions.
Create and distribute assessments to measure student engagement, priorities, and attendance at athletics events.
Oversee in-game promotions and other featured game day events as appropriate, including giveaways, event set-up, and specific partner activations.
Create graphic designs to promote games, events, and programs appropriate for social media and other distribution channels.
Help coordinate mascot appearances at department events as well as promote and generate revenue through campus and community events.
Manage the administration and operation of the Hopkins Gameday app.
Serve as the Athletics Department point of contact for the Band, Cheerleaders, and Dance Team and coordinate gameday appearances.
Promote student attendance at athletic events through student-focused events and promotions.
Oversee the JHU Flock, the student organization focused on encouraging student attendance at athletic events.
Build cross-campus and community relationships to enhance visibility for athletics throughout the Homewood campus, other Johns Hopkins campuses, and the Greater Baltimore area.
Assist with the implementation and marketing of the Blue Jay Zone, a fan area at home lacrosse games.
Coordinate student workers to assist with marketing promotions and gameday activities...
Develop and manage marketing, student engagement, and fan experience budgets to support the marketing plan.
Coordinate with the Recreation staff to promote fitness classes, activities, and club teams.
Attend campus meetings with other student-facing stakeholders, to coordinate student activities.
Serve as an on-call Student Engagement Liaison for on-campus student activities.
Serve as part of the Campus Demonstration Response Team.
Serve as part of the game operations staff.
Key Relationships
The Assistant Director of Marketing & Engagement is supervised by the Associate AD/Business Operations and works closely with the Director/Partnerships & Ticketing. This position will also have relationships with faculty and staff, students, alumni, and other outside constituencies.
Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
Excellent oral/written communication skills.
Excellent relationship and interpersonal skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Organizational skills.
Strategic thinking skills.
Ability to work as part of a cross-functional team.
Creative problem solver.
Physical Effort/Environment
General office, athletic facility, and campus environment.
The position will require work outside and in inclement weather.
Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary.
Walking, standing, bending, twisting, and occasional lifting are required.
Computer usage involving repetitive and/or wrist motion is required.
The position will be a full-time, fiscal year appointment, with frequent evening and weekend work required throughout the year (dates determined by a supervisor). Occasional travel required.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in related field.
Two years of related experience.
Advanced degree may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.
Preferred Qualifications
Prior experience in a collegiate athletics setting.
Prior experience in higher education.
Prior experience with graphic design.
Experience in managing a budget.
Passion for sports.