Director of Branding

Develop and execute effective branding strategies to enhance the NCAA’s reputation, drive growth, and maximize brand loyalty. Oversee all aspects of branding initiatives, ensuring consistency across all channels and alignment with overall goals and objectives.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage the development and evolution of the brand identity, including brand guidelines, logos, and visual assets.

• Lead the development of a new set of brand guidelines that encompass all uses of the NCAA blue disk.

• Lead the development of new trademark language to protect all brand use and executions of the brand.

• Ensure consistency of brand voice and messaging across all communication and digital channels and marketing materials.

• Craft compelling brand messaging that communicates unique value proposition to stakeholders.

• Assist with integrated marketing efforts that promote the brand.

• Collaborate with external vendors, partners and agencies to execute brand initiatives and campaigns.

• Work closely with national office cross-functional teams, including championships, marketing, ticketing, and senior management, to align branding efforts with business objectives.

• Identify trends and opportunities for brand expansion.

• Monitor brand metrics and track performance to gain insight and improve brand perception.

• Develop and manage the branding budget to ensure cost-effective and cost-efficient practices.

• Serve as a brand ambassador internally and externally, promoting a strong brand culture and reputation.

Job Requirements

• Education Required: Bachelor's degree.

• A minimum of 7-10 years’ experience required.

• Proven experience in branding or related role, with at least three years in a management or leadership position.

• Strong understanding of branding principles.

• Knowledge of intercollegiate athletics and the NCAA highly desirable.

• Organizational and team leadership skills essential. 

• Creative thinker with a passion for innovation.

• Estimated Travel Required: <20%.

• This position will be based out of the national office in Indianapolis, Indiana. Current work environment is hybrid; 3 days in the office and 2 days are remote.

Key Competencies

• Teamwork| Can effectively work together with other people and collaborate to achieve a common goal or to complete a task in the most effective and efficient way. 

• Accountability| Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules. 

• Motivating Others| Creates a climate in which people want to do their best, can motivate many kinds of direct reports and team or project members, can assess each person's hot button and use it to get the best out of him/her, pushes tasks and decisions down, empowers others, invites input from each person and shares ownership and visibility, makes each individual feel his/her work is important, is someone people like working for and with. 

• Stakeholder Focus| Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external stakeholders, gets first-hand stakeholder information and uses it for improvements in products and services, acts with stakeholders in mind, establishes and maintains effective relationships with stakeholders and gains their trust and respect through honesty, integrity, authenticity, and inclusivity.

• Project Management| The discipline of planning, organizing, and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of a specific project.

 Core Values   

• LEADERSHIP| We actively listen and continually strive to provide vital solutions, counsel and advocacy for student-athletes and intercollegiate athletics.

• INCLUSION| We seek and incorporate different perspectives and experiences to drive innovation and impact.

• COMMUNICATION| We commit to an environment of openness to build trust and make timely decisions.

• COLLABORATION| We work together, based on mutual respect, to lead and serve our stakeholders.

• ACCOUNTABILITY| We take ownership for our actions and results to add value every day.