Associate Athletic Director, External Relations

The associate athletic director of external relations will play an integral role in driving revenue, attendance, and brand awareness for the Department of Athletics. Under the guidance of the deputy athletics director for external affairs, this role is responsible for creating a Rice Athletics marketing (including creative, video, and digital media) and communications strategy and leading a team to execute against this plan.   

This position has direct oversight of communications, marketing, creative services, and broadcast services.  Along with the marketing, branding, ticket sales, sponsorship and communication staff, this individual will be responsible for increasing attendance and revenue, creating a positive and exciting game day atmosphere, increasing fan engagement and furthering the brand of Rice Athletics.   

Additionally, the associate athletic director of external relations will oversee the video services team to develop new ways to entertain fans and promote brand consistency through video and other mediums as well as oversee the Athletic Department’s licensing program and act as liaison for the Athletic Department with the Marching Owls Band (MOB) and spirit squads. Lastly, this position will serve as an on-campus and community partner to ensure that Rice Athletics is a highly visible assets to our local community.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree

• Three years of experience in the sports marketing field with experience developing marketing plans to drive attendance.

Skills Required

• Strong verbal and written communication skills including presentation skills 

• Good organization and creativity skills 

• Good analytical problem-solving skills 

• Video creation and editing capabilities

Essential Functions

• Develops and manages the communication and brand strategy for Rice Athletics

• Recommends, manages, and executes integrated marketing plans / programs and strategies to meet business objectives 

• Guides event planning and execution 

• Manages vendors on specific projects 

• Manages program budget, goals, and objectives in alignment with organizational goals

• Manages market research and analysis used to make informed decisions regarding strategic marketing direction, product segmentation and customer targeting 

• Assesses market opportunities and tracks market trends 

• Recommends marketing improvements based on findings 

• Writes, designs, and coordinates the production of communication and marketing materials 

• Performs all other duties as assigned

Preferred qualifications

Master’s Degree

 Working Conditions

•  8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

• Nights and weekends as event schedules require. Some travel required

• Ability to travel   

• Ability to work long periods of time at a desk (up to eight hours)   

• Ability to work at events outdoors during varying weather conditions